Ndzeidze Thomas Maika - Part II

ANOTHER BREAK THROUGH

The journey was long, rough, frustrating and almost seemingly unattainable. However, as Hill puts it "A QUITTER NEVER WINS-AND-A WINNER NEVER QUITS." This "big hit" which I dedicate to all of you, you who gave your one, two, three or more francs, dollars, or pounds to see this come to pass and you who made the effort whether it be human, material and/or spiritual to see this come to pass.

On the 17th of February, 2010, I stood before a jury to defend a Masters thesis, entitled "HAEMATOLOGICAL CHANGES IN MALARIA TREATED AND UNTREATED CHILDREN RESIDING IN MUEA." I must say, the work was highly applauded and I was requested to publish the work to give it widest publicity. This work, I believe, will help ameliorate the management and also add knowledge to the study of malaria.

While I look for a job as well as look forward to doing a doctorate degree in Public Health, I dedicate myself to the service of Educare-Africa, the NGO which made it possible for you to render your invaluable support to the accomplishment of this piece of work.

May I ask you; how and for what have you been using your resources? The amelioration of the educational situation of the children in Cameroon is surely a fertile ground to sow a seed.

I know there are millions of people who can help these intelligent and highly enthusiastic but less fortunate children. This NGO is working with over 300 children from secondary/high school to university level and hope to increase this number as you, with a heart for this adventure, will join forces with us.

MY APPEAL TO YOU

We are reaching out to the very remote parts of the country to find these children and send them to school. The NGO will be moving to the East Region of Cameroon where many children are still not able to go to school especially the girls. We need your support, your prayers, and we need you in person. Of urgent necessity is a 4 wheel pick up Toyota Hilax and two motorcycles. These will help to transport the personnel, equipment and materials to these children.

While I remain indebted to all of you to whom this big achievement I dedicate and to the many who will join forces with us to overcome illiteracy, I remain your faithful son.

Gloria's Story

Dear Educare-Africa,

Where do I start from? Who says there are no miracles or that miracles were of the past? God has used you to show His powers to me, my family and my schoolmates. God is wonderful and He uses but a fellow human being to manifest His glory. May you be blessed.

It all started when I got into Form one in the G.S.S. Tatum then. Life wasn't easy for my family and I. Things were so bad that I could not get a pen for a hundred francs (about 20 cents). I thought I was going to drop out for the fact that we could not afford food in our house.

When I reached Form three in 1996, God sent us a guardian angel, a Peace Corps teacher, Madam Pavla Zakova and a few years later an NGO, Educare-Africa, that Madam Pavla started after her Peace Corps, in 2000. Oh God, thank you! I have tears of joy in my eyes right now as I am writing this to you.

If I am able to read and write today, able to serve my community and country, it is thanks to Educare-Africa. I do not really know where to start or end. Thank you very much!

It started with pens and continued with books, school fees, housing and other essential school related needs. It was not only the material assistance but also the spiritual and moral support.

Right now, I serve as a librarian in the Nkum Council Public Library. Whatever I am able to do now as far as education is concerned, all I have to say is thank God for Educare-Africa through our dear mother Madam Pavla.

So, with my GCE Ordinary and Advance Level, I wish to tell you people that if not for you in the name of God and His will, I couldn't have achieved all these goals. I do pray that you continue in that loving spirit for it is only our Creator Who will reward you for your good work. Whatever I am today and will be tomorrow I will always say it is you and will always pray that what you did to me shall be done to others as well. With your good example, I am able to help two of my younger ones in school. Thank you Educare-Africa for your inspiration.

May you be blessed.

Njoben Gloria Mainimo

Educare-Africa, My Mother

Oh sweet Mother, don't cry
it has been a wonderful journey
Console yourself your children are mature
You will soon reap the fruit of your labor
And like your self, we will have many children
Three children, four children, five children.

Together you taught us the lessons of life
Now we can see people with the loving eyes of God.
That there is no difference between us.
All of us from every nation are one.
And together like a great army
We can form a strong chain of love and support.
It did not kill you as you toiled day and night.

Looking for food to nourish your tender ones.

Now I know, No one dies from being good.

It doesn;t kill to share with the neighbor.

Neither does it in doing a kindness.

It brings a wonderful blessing of joy.

You have shown to us all it takes to be fulfilled

You shared our loving moments, sad moments,

happy...
What a loving mother you remain to us.

We wish to remain children but

We need to go out to the world

And bring forth your grandchildren

So you see your labor has not been in vain.

Beatrice

I am Ngong Beatrice Kernyuy, a third level mathematics student in the University of Yaounde I, found in Cameroon. I am 23 years of age and the 1st in a fmaily of four. My parents Mr./Mrs. Ngong Vitalis live in a small village in Bui Division. I grew up with them together with my younger ones who now are in the secondary and primary schools.

Being where I am today is a miracle. It amazes me whenever I look back and see what God has been doing to me especially through Educare-Africa.

During my secondary education, I had scholarships where some of my school needs were brought and other offers from friends and relatives. One beautiful day in form five, I had a prize from Mrs. Pavla Zakova-Laney as the best female science student. It was my first time meeting Madam Pavla. Little did I know that the story of my life was about to change that year. I passed the ordinary level GCE exams in 11 papers with good grades and was the best in our center. A year later I had a prize from Mrs. Chantal Biya, the 1st lady of the republic. I was encouraged and excited as I traveled to Yaounde, the capital of our country for the 1st time.

While in lower sixth, I met some students from Tatum who had been with Madam Pavla. Celsius, a very good friend and brother invited me to meet her during her annual visit to Cameroon. I had the opportunity to talk with her later and I explained how the gift had encouraged me. Madam decided to assist me together with my parents. In addition, I benefited from Educare-Africa mobile library. In upper sixth, I was given money to register the entrance examinations into professional schools. I succeeded in the Advanced Teacher Training Exam where I have benn in the last three years for studies.

Educare-Africa, my mother, has been there always. I had the opportunity of having a kind and generous sponsor, Ms. Marian Angele. Also, while at ENS Bambili, I was blessed by staying with Dr. Frida Sunjo from whom I learned many lessons of life. Educare-Africa has touched all parts of my life. I appreciate them all many of whom I have not met but who are out there concerned about our needs. Ms. Marian sends me stories, funds for my educational needs and encourages me. I learnt so much from her life and her own experiences. I never dreamt that I would live like other children, go to school and have a job.

Here I am today, just graduated from the Teachers Training School, and by God's grace in a little while I will be posted by the state to teach. I have been lifted from nothing to something. I owe Educare-Africa so much abd I believe soon I shall do to others what they have done to me. It is really a wonderful experience to live, love and be loved unconditionally. It has been an amazing time never to be forgotten. Fresh memories remain in me and some day will yield many blessings for others.

Love you all,

Beatrice

Educare-Africa and Me

My name is Tangko Julius Ngala, 26 years young and the son of Tangko Manases and Agnes Mangu, all late, who were residents in Douala, Cameroon.

I attended primary school in Mbot, a village in the Donga Mantung Division in the North West Region of Cameroon where I obtained my First School leaving certificate. Here I lived with some relatives while my parents went out to provide for us, including our education.

In 1996 I entered into the secondary school at G.S.S. Tatum. At that time things started changing negatively in the family and polygamy came in to break it apart. My mum was the only one struggling for all the five of us in the family. I loved studying right up to the university but the challenge here was that she started getting tired when I was still in the second year of the secondary school. God being so kind provided for us Madam Pavla Zakova-Laney, my class mistress from form one to three and Peace Corps volunteer. She was and has remained a kind loving and cheerful mother to us, thereby justifying the saying that "the Lord does everything with a reason." She provided most of the textbooks I needed to succeed and supported me financially especially in form five when the situation became critical. I was able to register, write and obtain my Ordinary level GCE in nine subjects, thanks to the support from Madam Pavla and my mum. This not withstanding, I also received a scholarship from the Cameroon Government in forms two and three for which I was very grateful too.

In 2007, I transferred to G.B.H.S. Kumbo where I continued in lower and upper sixth. My mum was able to assist me with the house rents, food and textbooks while Educare-Africa assisted me with the school fees for my two years in high school. Again, I must confirm that it was thanks to these two parties that I was able to succeed in all the 3 subjects, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology in the advanced level GCE exams.

After high school life became a nightmare. I had to stay at home for two years trying to get something doing that could help me proceed with studies but success was rare. Nevertheless, Madam Pavla and Educare-Africa came in as usual and registered me into the first year in the University of Yaounde I where I read Animal physiology with the hope of being a health care worker one day. Madam Pavla also provided spiritual booklets which together with the moral support I get from the Joy and Success Club that was also founded by her, has helped to restore my faith and hopes. Mid way in level two I lost my mum and life once again seemed too meaningless to me, but Educare-Africa continued to support me over the year and today I can boast of being in year 3, a high point toward achieving my goal.

I cannot quickly conclude that from Educare-Africa and Joy and Success Club I have only received material and financial assistance but I want to confess here that I have also been educated morally and on how to choose a career, an important feature in the life of a student.

My family and I are very grateful for what Educare-Africa has been doing to me and to other students like me. From Educare-Africa on one hand and the Joy and Success Club on the other hand, we have drawn more than one lesson about Love, devotion and encouragement. We pray God to bless Educare-Africa abundantly and give its staff long lives.

TJN

My Story

Wirmvem Precedis Bongsuiru

I am 26 years old, 2nd Year Sociology Student at the University of Yaounde I. I attended Primary School in my native village Ngendzen-Mbam. From there I went to Government Secondary School Tatum which now is Government High School Tatum. I entered Secondary School in the 1996/1997 academic year and in Forms Two Madam Pavla Zakova-Laney came as a Peace Corps Volunteer to teach us. This made us, her students, to be very excited as we boasted of having a white teacher. She taught us Biology and many students performed well. In fact Biology became one of my best subjects as she worked hard to see us succeed. With her relentless efforts, most students enjoyed biology very much as biology classes became very interesting to all.
With the support of Educare-Africa, I and other brilliant students distinguished ourselves from our classmates and we were made known to other students in the school as we received numerous prizes every year during the prize giving ceremonies. At times, we even invited our parents to come and take part in the prize giving ceremonies. With the support from Educare-Africa, I and other good students received assistance in form of financial assistance, text books, pens, exercise books, school bags etc. These prizes greatly reduced the burden that my parents spent for my school needs. Thanks to Educare-Africa, I always got my school requirements even before going to the next class.
Educare-Africa has helped many students in Government Secondary School Tatum to buy their school needs like uniforms, school fees, books and other essentials. So this encouraged many parents to send their children to school. With all these, it was thanks to Madam Pavla Zakova-Laney that we received this aid, if not some of the students might had dropped from school for lack of means. She even went as far as visiting some of our neighboring villages and greeted our parents. In fact she has been such a lovely mother to us. My God bless her for this good work. In Forms two and three we had excursions to a beautiful Lake Oku, Bamendjing Reservoir and Douala-Limbe respectively sponsored by Madam Pavla. This made most students to gain new experience of life in big cities as well as study the Crater Lake Oku and its mountain forest.
In fact Pavla Zakova-Laney has done a marvelous job for students in Africa and I pray that the good Lord may provide her more resources and good health to continue with this tremendous support. To Educare-Africa, I say “More grease to your elbows and long lived your services.” As we continue education we are asking for your support as before so that the work you began should be completed. May God bless Educare-Africa for the assistance it has given to me in my school life and I still look forward to get more support while in school.
Thanks to Educare-Africa and especially to Pavla Zakova-Laney, the Founder and Full-time volunteer President and Executive Director.

By Wirmvem Precedis Bongsuiru
2nd Year Student Sociology
University of Yaounde I
Tel: +237 750 45 709
Email: wprecedis@hotmail.com

Educare-Africa and Me

In every thing, let’s give thanks to God. For he made us to Love, serve and praise Him always. It is only when we trust in Him and feel His presence that we know that God is as good as good can be. The key of the Lord can open all doors.
I am Kiven Yuntir Ethel a third year student in the University of Yaoundé 1, in the faculty of arts , letters and social sciences , department of Psychology, 24 years of age and a mother of a girl, Frida Micheal. I am the only child in the family of late Mr. and Mrs. Ngoran Avitus.
I started my secondary education is G.S.S. Tatum in 1996 in form one B where Madam Pavla Zakova-Laney happened to be the Class mistress. Our class was called the chosen class because of the privileges we enjoyed as a result of her being our class mistress.
It all started gradually when she discovered that students could barely afford basic school needs. She then took this as a personal engagement to give us exercise books, pens, pencils, rulers, textbooks especially in biology which was the subject she taught. In form one she took us to The Ndu Tea Estate for a field trip that was mostly done by form five students, in form two we went to Lake Oku where most of us saw a lake for the first time. In forms three we went out of the North West region to Buea, Limbe and Douala, very important towns in Cameroon. This was the most enjoyable trip out of the others because most of us saw the beach, entered a bus and saw some big towns in our country for the first time. Along side these trips, Madam Pavla continued to assist many students with their needs and even paid school fees and part of their rents. It was from this her caring character that she founded Educare-Africa. Educare-Africa has done much for me (paid part of my fees, provided me with writing materials, clothing...) and because of this support I did so well in school that I received many encouragement prizes at the end of each year. When madam Pavla usually gave prizes to the first 3 to 10 best students in each class, I also received scholarships from the Cameroon government and the American government to the best female student. The Joy and success club and the dance club which she also founded where a source of joy to me.
When I completed high school I had no means to continue my education, as a result of that I stayed out of school for a year. I was full of joy when the then coordinator of Educare-Africa came to me and asked me to go to the teacher’s training college. I could not at the time due to limited funds, but later I received assistance from Mr. Libor Krupica, a kind donor. Thanks to this support I could pay my fees and do other school preparations. During my stay in this college, Educare-Africa assisted me with rents, part of food, daily needs, books, and teaching aides. Our principal knew the good intentions of Educare-Africa, and so assisted me some times in school as well. Upon completion from this school, I was given the golden opportunity to go to the university thanks to my kind sponsor Mr. Krupica through Educare-Africa. I made the choice to study Psychology which is in line with the teaching a child. Since 2006 I have been in Yaoundé where I am now in the final year to have a first degree in Psychology.
Thanks to Educare-Africa I obtained my G.C.E. ordinary level certificate in 2002, Advanced level certificate in 2003, Teacher’s grade one certificate in 2006 and now towards having a degree, God willing in 2009. I am really indebted to the organization, president and founder madam Pavla, and most especially to my kind sponsor Mr. Libor. I pray that more students shall have the opportunity to have such support so as to feel happy too.
May God Bless you all abundantly.
Kiven

Write Your Own Story - Part I

“If you have not had what you want, it is because you have not decided on what you want”

I am called NDZEIDZE THOMAS MAIKA. I was born on the 6th of June 1980 and the third in a family of four. By God’s grace, I am the only child from this little family to have crossed the walls of primary education. While in primary two, there was a break up in my family and my mother took the “bull by the horn” to provide for my education. My two elder sisters remained in the house after their primary education because she was not viable enough to provide for the continuation of their education. Thank God, I was fortunate to continue on the rungs of the academic ladder.
In 1996/97 (while in form three, in Government Secondary School Tatum), I caught up with someone (at the time a US Peace Corps Volunteer in Cameroon) who not only assisted me to achieve my aspirations but also acted as a role model to me because of her wonderful character and love for humanity––Madam Pavla Zakova Laney.
There was no way I could hide in the crowd because I was one of the best and first in class on academic basis. This gave me the opportunity to “gather” a large percentage of gifts she offered to the best students during the end of year graduation ceremony. The story was the same in form four but for the fact that I was elected sanitation prefect for the entire school and I rule for two years till my final year. I made eight papers at the Ordinary Level Certificate and the best student in my center. I was also awarded a ministerial prize for academic excellence.
Madam Pavla left Cameroon after my final year in secondary school. Thereafter, she formed the NGO Educare-Africa Cameroon (EDAC) dedicated to improving the learning and living conditions of needy and bright students in Cameroon.
While in high school (Government Bilingual High School Kumbo), I received substantial support from the NGO to provide for my school supplies.
The campaign on sensitization (May-July of 1999) of the rural masses on the importance of education was one striking adventure that we undertook. We visited several neighboring and distant villages. I played the raconteur in which I thrilled the crowds with stories of encouragement. We had no car but our legs, no microphones but out mouths, we walk under the rain, in the mud, we ate all kinds of foods, slept with the mosquitoes, we got tired but kept on moving just in a bit to add value to somebody’s life.

The purpose of our lives is to add value to the people of this generation and those that follow.

It was in high school that I was introduced to yet another wonderful benefactor–Dr. Brook MacNamara (a partner to the NGO). She has been no-nonsense figure in my life since then. She has been no less than a mother to me.

You can get anything you want in life if you help other people get what they want

I completed high school in June 2001, succeeding in all the four science subjects I registered for. In September of 2001, I took the TOEFL and SAT with the hope of continuing education in the U.S.A. Unfortunately, I succeeded in the SAT but not in the TOEFL. Though I spent one year at home after high school I was not deterred anyway. During this period (2001-2002), I embarked on the EDAC sensitization campaign and went on one errand or the other.
In Sept. 2002, EDAC assisted me to go to the university. Here, I was again introduced to another caring mother–––Madam Dena Palmemaysa. Mom, you put a smile in my heart!!!
The undergraduate program was one of the most exciting times in my life. I majored in Microbiology with the aim of entering into the food/animal production field.
In my third year in the university, I discovered that while I was doing great in school and receiving abundantly from the NGO, there was no group or club to cater for the increasing numbers of students under the umbrella of EDAC. I went ahead and formed EDAC Buea Branch and became the president by balloting. It was a great group indeed!!!
I graduated in 2005 with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.31 on a scale of 4.00 and the 5th in a class of 80 students.
After this I was offered a place to teach in a secondary school. However, I turn down the offer because I wanted to obtain a masters degree and because I thought I was going to distort my dream if I accepted the offer.
I was given a place to do a master program in Microbiology. However, I failed short of reaching the deadline for payment of tuition. Who knows how God does His things––Madam Dena sent the tuition several weeks after classes had begun. I was allowed to register after writing appeal letters to the Vice Chancellor. I must say the NGO had been the brain behind these beautiful strikes. Again, I settled down as adviser to EDAC Buea Branch (for three years now). I was also appointed the student coordinator of a Christian Movement called Campus Crusade for Christ with a membership of more than 60. Presently, I am the adviser in that ministry.
Though the master program has not been interesting as I expected, I look forward to defending the work in a month’s time or two.
With all the experience I have had so far and the internship with the Takui animal project (for two months), I started an animal farm (cow farm) and I am looking forward to expanding it.
While I look forward to applying to some food producing bodies in Cameroon I am also applying for scholarships to do a program in biotechnology out of Cameroon. I am still soliciting the support of my wonderful benefactors in the event of any scholarship.
I am very proud of and grateful to the BENEFACTORS under EDAC who have provided a cozy path for me to go this far and to move me from grass to grace. May the rich Lord water them even as they continue to water others. I also want to say, the sumptuous support did not only assist me but members of my family as well as others students.

LONG LIVE EDUCARE-AFRICA AND ITS BENEFACTORS!!!

Proverbs 11:24 says “One man gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want”

My Walk with Educare-Africa

I am Bongteh Grace Leinyuy , born on August 6th 1985, as 7th child to Mrs. Mbuum Josipher and late Mr. Bongteh Mumba who were both resident in Kishong. Kishong is a village in Bui Division in the North West region of Cameroon where I attended primary school and obtained the first school leaving certificate.
My parents considered sending only some of us to secondary school out of the income they got from selling some produce and coffee. While in secondary school, our needs usually out numbered the available means , but I thank God that my class mistress at the time was Mrs. Pavla Zakova-Laney who found interest in supporting excellent and needy students , providing textbooks, fees, school bags and spiritual books like daily words and organizing excursions for students.
The love she had for the students moved her to found Educare-Africa after her extended stay as peace corps volunteer in then Government Secondary School Tatum, My good performance in school and conduct permitted me to be selected for assistance and to be moved to Bamenda where I could concentrate more on studies.
In Government Bilingual High School Bamenda, Educare-Africa continued to support me in school and my brother did his best to provide food and accommodation. I got a scholarship from FESA (Female education in Science and Mathematics in Africa) and I succeeded in the maximum 11 of passed papers for the GCE ordinary level, in 2001. In 2003, I succeeded in 5 papers, which is the maximum at the advanced level GCE exams. These were already great achievements in my life thanks to Educare-Africa and my family.
Shortages of funds made me stay out of school for an academic year but because of the hard work of Educare-Africa’s founder and president, Madam Pavla Zakova-Laney, Mr. Kenneth and Mrs. Mavis Tuten decided to support me in my education through Educare-Africa. Their financial assistance permitted me to study and obtain a certificate in Data processing from Paul’s Computer institute obtaining the Prize for the best Student in Microsoft Windows, this was another step forward as computer knowledge is now very importance in the global village that the world had become.
My success in the Advanced levels and the financial assistance allowed me to register in to the University of Yaoundé 1 where I am presently studying Animal biology and in level 2. With Wildlife management as my focus, I carry out internship with the Cameroon Wildlife Aid Fund (CWAF) to gain experience while going on with my studies, thanks to the moral support and orientation of Mr. Sunjo Emmanuel, National Coordinator of Educare-Africa and to our Zoo keeper, Mr. Frederick Leydufe, among others. I hope for a brighter future and it is evident that with out the hard working staff of Educare-Africa I would not have been where I am today.
Beneficiaries of Educare-Africa and friends in their various institutions of learning, find interest in coming together to share useful ideas, some of which are; Trusting God our source of success (Joshua 1:7-8), learning to live with others regardless of our difference (temperaments) we also seek to help one another as much as we can, lessons that remain for life, God’s word is a rich source of inspiration to us. I am so glad this is possible through the Joy and success Club founded by Mrs. Pavla.
The devotion of all the staff and other benefactors is of great importance to us. I am very grateful and pray for God’s ever present love in their lives.

My Success Story

My Success Story: Wirmvem Mengnjo Jude

I was born on Tuesday, April 14, 1981 at Mbam Health Centre, to the family of Lanyuy Roland Wirmvem and Kibong Perensia who live in Ngendzen village, Bui Division in North West Region of Cameroon (Africa). I attended Government Primary School Ngendzen for 7 years, from 1988. In 1995, I was admitted as a student into the then Government Secondary School (G.S.S.) Tatum, now a Bilingual High School. Every morning I trekked for a distance of about 5 km, from Ngendzen village to Tatum, in order to attend classes as there was not enough money for me to rent a room. Despite the tedious trekking, my passion for education gave me courage to keep going. During my second year (Form 2) in G.S.S. Tatum, the school was enormously blessed with a pioneer American Peace Corps Volunteer, Mrs. Pavla Zakova-Laney. She was a Biology teacher. I must say that this was my first time to be taught by a white. Though I enjoyed her teaching, at first, it was difficult to understand since I was never before taught by someone with a different accent.

That notwithstanding, I did exceptionally well in her subject and others too. This created a good relationship between Mrs. Zakova-Laney and me. Each time she was teaching, she would look at me from time to time, which was strange to me, and I told my mother this ‘our white teacher is always looking at me when teaching’. My mom laughed and said “maybe it is your luck”. She later on found out that I lived far away from school and wrote a letter asking me to come and stay with her alongside one other student (Kila Comfort) still from my village. This was strange for me to live with a white person. I could not imagine that. I informed my mum and dad about it, telling them that I was not ready to do that. My loving mum persuaded me that it was my blessing from God. Finally, in late 1996, I packed, from my village, to live with Mrs. Zakova-Laney about 0.4 km m from school.

I was now free from long treks to school though I was very worried about my friends and others who still had to trek. Even today, some still walk further than I did and also from other villages. From that time, my life changed. For the first time, I read at nights with an electric light. While living in the village, I read with a bush/kerosene lamp. When my parents could not afford 0.5$ to buy kerosene, I would either use a candle especially during exams or just read during the day. With Mrs. Zakova-Laney, I had enough school materials (pens, pencils, ruler, etc.) textbooks, food, time and all that a student needed.

Mrs. Zakova-Laney with her sympathetic heart realized that I was not the only desperate student and so bought school materials like shoes, books, pens, pencil, rulers; paid fees, sew uniforms, paid house rents, electric bills, bought fuel for bush lamps used by some students. More than 95% of the students were in need, and she could not satisfy all. Even some teachers were also needy, and she also offered them assistance. ‘What a huge task’. While living with her my performance improved, and I received allowances/scholarships from Form 3 (1997) to Form 4 (1998)for academic excellence from the Cameroon government. I was happy with my results. I should say that I was worried when Mrs Zakova-Laney was to leave. I could not imagine how I could live without her support. Before leaving Cameroon in 1999, we knew that she loved us very much and that she would not forget us. She then, in year 2000, created an NGO called EDUCARE-AFRICA (http://educareafrica.blogspot.com/). Through this organization, I benefited a lot as before, but this time she was able to help more students, thanks to the loving care and generous support from many kind donors.

With this continuous surge of help, I was able to register the Ordinary Level Certificate of Education exam in 2000 (Form 5) and I passed in 6 subjects (Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Mathematics, Economics and English language). Since there was no high school then, I moved to Government Bilingual High School Kumbo. Mrs. Zakova-Laney continued through Educare-Africa to assist me and many other students with our school needs. My accommodation was partly taken care of as well as other essential needs. With the collective efforts of Mrs. Zakova-Laney through Educare-Africa and my parents, I registered the Advanced Level Certificate of Education exam in 2002and passed in two subjects (Geology and Chemistry).

My parents were unable to sponsor me in the University. The number of needy students kept increasing, and Educare-Africa could not fully take care of all my needs. I had to suspend my education. With the two certificates achieved thanks to Educare-Africa, and with the spirit of concern for others, inspired from Mrs. Zakova-Laney, in 2003, I coordinated student activities in my village and later founded NESA (Ngendzen Elite Student Union Association) which was later named NGEDA (Ngendzen Development Association). The main objective was to coordinate village developments activities. And thanks to this, my village is fruitfully drinking potable water.

In 2004, my parents assisted me to register at the University of Buea, Cameroon where I read Geology. During holidays, I would work at one industry in Douala to raise money for school. Educare-Africa again came to my salvage and paid part of my accommodation fee in 2005. With this support, I did so well in studies as usual and in 2006, I again received financial assistance for academic excellence from the Cameroon government. With more support, I successfully graduated in 2007 with a second class honours degree in Geology with a minor in Environmental science, scoring a GPA of 3.25 on a scale of 4 (16.3/20).

After one year at home, coupled unemployment, I decided to register for a master’s programme at the University of Buea after raising some money from my temporary local jobs in Douala. I read Applied Geology from 2008 to 2010 and graduated with a first class Master of Science degree in Applied Geology, scoring a GPA of 3.80on of 4 (19/20).

My supervisor during the master’s programme, Professor Samuel Ndonwi Ayonghe, advised me to apply for a PhD programme through the Japanese Government MONBUKAGAKUSHO Scholarship (MEXT). Out of 8 pre-selected students, I was selected among the two successful candidates after exams and interview. By the grace of God, I will graduate in 2014 with a PhD of Science with a specialty in Hydrogeochemistry and Application of Environmental Isotopes in Hydrology. Though I still have one more year to go, I have so far published several papers (http://scholar.google.com/citations?user=NqMp3ZcAAAAJ). I hope to complete my studies and return home to help my beloved country, Cameroon. I hope my story will be a source of inspiration for others. In life, never give up.

Our Success Stories

VERDZEKOV DIVINE LUNGLA

Born on the 12th of August 1980 in to the family of Mr./Mrs. Jaff Lucas Verdzekov, I went to Presbyterian Primary School Nseh in Nso in Bui Division of the North West Region of Cameroon. After seven years of primary education, I was admitted at the Government Secondary School Tatum in 1994. Two years later, we were blessed with Mrs. Pavla Zakova – a US Peace Corps Volunteer who came in as a biology teacher. Together with other teachers in what can only be described as a supportive caring and dedicated staff environment, I was schooled through the interactive teaching approach made possible in small classrooms until 1999 when I graduated after writing the G.C.E Ordinary Level certificate exams.

Dark clouds started looming around my educational part, as my parents were not ready to single handedly financed my higher education. As subsistence farmers and with six of us to carter for, it became clear that that my educational career was going to end prematurely. However, Madame Pavla will always stand out for me because of her accommodating approach to education “assisting good, needy and intelligent students”
With the creation of Educare-Africa to help ameliorate the conditions of teachers and students in Cameroon, I was fortunate to be selected amongst her beneficiaries. Even though the assistance I got from Educare-Africa did not cover all my expenses, it is thanks to it that I completed from Government High School Kumbo with an Advanced Level Certificate in History and Geography. Through re-application and subsequent assistance from Educare-Africa, I later went to the University of Buea Cameroon where I did Women and Gender Studies together with Sociology and Anthropology for four years and came out with a double degree with an average of 2.97/4 in the above disciplines in 2007.
After graduation from the university, I volunteer for Community Education and Development Services (CEDS) Bamenda – a woman focused N.G.O. There I served as a program coordinator in charge of Advocacy, Networking and Lobbying till November 2008. At the moment, I am currently working as a Social Welfare Officer with the Diocesan Family Life Office for the Diocese of Kumbo specifically providing assistance to single parents and people living with HIV/AIDS on several incomes generating activities and other survival strategies.
It is still my wish to further my education through the Masters and PHD Levels to be able to better serve my nation. My field experience working with women and in particular the less privileged in mostly remote areas of the North West Region of Cameroon are now the contributing factors behind my desire for further knowledge within the disciplines of Women and Gender / Sociology and Anthropology. These are the desires of many good, needy and intelligent students in Africa and Cameroon in particular.