THE WAY I SEE IT  ...

WOMEN'S DAY 2018

WOMEN'S DAY 2017 EDITION! SAKERETTES BEING BOLD FOR CHANGE AROUND THE WORLD ...

PLEASE CLICK ON ICON ABOVE TO READ A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE EVENT 

CLASS OF 1984's  Dr. PATIENCE FIELDING KAMBOU (ExSSA-DC) at the Comparative International Conference in  ATLANTA, GEORGIA  where, in addition to discussing Education, there was discourse on Activism. On IWD itself she participated in the CARE International-organized March to bring awareness to their  Walk in Her Shoes Campaign

PLUCKY CLASS OF 1977's  Ms IRENE TAMAJONG  (President of ExSSA-UK) championing the move to Promote Gender Equality in STEM on IWD 2017 in  KIGALI, RWANDA

CLASS OF 1981's  EGBE MBIWAN MONJIMBO  (STA*) attending the CIWD Event at the INTERNATIONAL HOUSE in  CHARLOTTE, NC  with the Event's 2 Keynote Speakers,  CHARLOTTE'S  MAYOR, (only the 3rd FEMALE since 1854), JENNIFER ROBERTS  (center) and 13 YEAR OLD  ACTIVIST & PHILANTHROPIST, MONGAI FANKAM  (left)

PLEASE CLICK ON FLYER TO VIEW FULL  CAPTIONED  INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY ALBUM  AND WHO DO YOU SEE FEATURED DIRECTLY BELOW THE BELOVED  MICHELLE OBAMA  in the  UNITED WAY  picture below????? OUR VERY OWN SAKERETTE-STA*LET,  KOUBE NGAAJE , M.A. Chief Operating Officer (COO) Arlington Food Assistance Center!!!!! P.S. Surely you have also spotted  U.S. SUPREME COURT JUSTICE RUTH GINSBURG? (4th from left) SUPER IMPRESSIVE!!!

CLASS OF 1980's  PAULYN AKO  of the Cameroon Prime Minister's Office, clad in the 2017 Blue version of the Cameroon IWD Fabric!

PLEASE CLICK ON PLAY BUTTON TO WATCH HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE LADIES HAVEN TALK SHOW!!!

PLEASE CLICK ON THIS IMAGE TO VIEW THE CAPTIONED  ALBUM OF THE HOUSTON & OTTAWA EVENTS

Here's my ROLE-MODEL PRAYER for US ALL, on the EVE of this year’s INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY!! 

- LORD, give us the ability, like  QUEEN ESTHER , to PERCEIVE, GRASP and, undaunted by any "nefarious" consequences,  SEEK TO FULFILL THE DIVINE PURPOSE  for which You have strategically placed us in the POSITIONS we occupy, in our HOMES, at our JOBS, and in our respective COMMUNITIES at any given moment in time. And should we ever have doubts regarding what exactly our "MISSION" is, please send us our very own "MORDECAI" to talk some sense into our heads and bring us to the realization that we were born "FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS", so that we do NOT miss out on being the instrument through which some part of your MASTER PLAN - no matter how tiny and seemingly insignificant, gets fulfilled!!

- PLEASE help us to be the  CONFIDANTE and SHOULDER TO CRY ON  that Dear  MA ELIZABETH  was to her Cousin MARY, Mother of JESUS. The Dear PREGNANT TEEN knew exactly who to  "HURRY"  to, - for MILES on foot, and stay with for 3 WHOLE MONTHS, away from all the wagging “e-don-go-carry-belleh” tongues in Nazareth!!. May we  be  that badly needed and sought after “SOMEONE” who can be TRUSTED to LISTEN – WITHOUT JUDGING; someone whom our friends – and even acquaintances feel comfortable confiding in, because they KNOW they will not find what they tell us in strict confidence TWEETED, FACE BOOKED and BROADCAST OVER RADIO BUEA the very next minute!

- PLEASE endow us with the  PROTECTIVE DEVOTION  towards our siblings that  SISTAH MIRIAM  had for her baby brother, MOSES, hiding amongst the reeds and watching the basket in which he floated keenly, to make sure he came to no harm, and having the audacity to accost Pharaoh's daughter and negotiate the best BABY SITTING JOB DEAL IN HISTORY whereby a mother wound up getting recompensed for raising her own son in the lap of luxury.

- LORD please make us as  LOYAL, FAITHFUL and LOVING  as  RUTH  who had such a good relationship and such a firm bond with her Mother-in-law, NAOMI, that she was willing to follow her to a land that was completely foreign to her, and make Naomi's GOD & PEOPLE hers! Even more significantly, please MAKE US THE KIND OF MOTHERS-IN-LAW NAOMI MUST HAVE BEEN, FOR RUTH TO BE WILLING TO MAKE SUCH A DECISION!

- LORD, grant us  SELF CONTROL  like  HANNAH  who, when taunted mercilessly by her "Mbanyi" Peninah because of her barrenness, did not retaliate, and who, when wrongly rebuked by Eli the Priest for being drunk, kept her calm and explained her problem levelheadedly and coherently, instead of saying "NO, HE DIDN'T!", and putting any KUNG FU/KARATE skills she might have had to good use!! Help us to be  FERVENT and RELENTLESS in our PRAYERS  like she was, in spite of the disappointment she experienced year after excruciating year while she waited on You to bless her with a child! Please also give US the ability to  KEEP OUR WORD  like she did in turning over her Baby Samuel to Eli to serve you as she had vowed to do.

- Do grant us the  INTELLIGENCE, COURAGE & WISDOM  of Mighty  Judge DEBORAH , not so that we can have a whole PALM TREE named after us, as was her privilege, but so we can manage our own affairs as well as our various positions of authority judiciously and in a manner that would impact those we come into contact with, positively. And should we rise to great prominence like she did, may we still carry ourselves, vis-a-vis our husbands, in a way that makes it still alright for us to be, though NOT DEFINED AS, but comfortably referred to as our husband's spouse just as DEBORAH, even with all her might and her rank as JUDGE & PROPHETESS OF ISRAEL, still had "LAPPIDOTH'S WIFE" as part of her "credentials".

- May it please You to give us the heart and soul of  DORCAS (TABITHA )  who was so  CHARITABLE - GIVING and KIND  that the grief and mourning by all and sundry upon her demise caused her to be raised back to life by Peter.

- May we be as  INDUSTRIOUS, INFLUENTIAL & HARDWORKING  as  LYDIA  of Thyatira, able to run our businesses successfully, and be just as firm in our BELIEF, fervent in our WORSHIP, and given to remarkable HOSPITALITY. May we be able to dispense MARTHA-quality HOSPITALITY, but, should we be confronted with choices that would distract us from pursuing "the essentials", help us to make MARY'S CHOICE, set our priorities correctly, and "sit at Your feet" instead!

- And should anyone try to "GUILT TRIP" us, or should we be tempted to allow ourselves to get mired in our PAST ERRORS, may we look to  RAHAB, MARY OF MAGDALA, THE SAMARITAN WOMAN, & THE WOMAN CAUGHT IN ADULTERY , all of whom were forgiven their sordid pasts by You, and given a second chance to serve you effectively, morally  REFORMED & REHABILITATED !

- May we, like  LOIS & EUNICE , young TIMOTHY's GRANDMOTHER & MOTHER, be mindful of the  DUTY  that is ours to not just pass down to future generations our customs, traditions and family heirlooms, but most importantly, the FAITH OF OUR FATHERS & MOTHERS!! May it be said of our own Children and Grandchildren, with admiration and Thanksgiving, that they have taken after us!

- And when it comes to  MOTHERING , may we emulate  THE MADONNA  who bore and raised THE ONE who was both SON & MASTER to her, with exemplary  FORTITUDE, PATIENCE, UNDERSTANDING & COMPASSION,  from Bethlehem’s Cradle to Calvary’s Cross! When we start to feel exasperated and frustrated at some of the things our children say and do, may it help us to remember that there was also a whole lot she did NOT understand about YOU, her Savior-Son either! I suspect she was taken aback if not hurt by some of Your curt responses and reactions, like Your reluctance to perform that Turning of Water into Wine Miracle at Cana, Your seeming “disavowal” of her and Your siblings when they came looking for You out of concern, and even when You “sternly” set the record straight at the Temple at age 12, as to whose business you really were supposed to be about! Yes, she pondered all these “strange things” over in her heart, but never did her love for You wane; PLEASE grant us the capacity to show the same  UNCONDITIONAL LOVE  to the offspring You have blessed us with, and to all the Precious Children You have seen fit to entrust into our care!  AMEN!!!!!

2017 "ADDENDUM" TO WOMEN'S DAY PRAYER (2017):

... AND, FATHER:

-  May we never be fooled, convinced or coerced into mistaking "BOLDNESS" for RUDENESS, FOOLHARDINESS, RUTHLESSNESS or AGGRESSION, for, by your Grace, we can, indeed be "BOLD" - outspoken, even opinionated, and much more EFFECTIVE, without resorting to any of these vices!  - May our "BOLDNESS" be FAITH-based; FAITH-triggered; FAITH-spawned. May it spring from our deepest and innermost convictions, and may it be rooted in the belief that our informed ACTIONS will be for the good of OTHERS/(WO)MANKIND and for your ultimate Glory. LIKE: . MIRIAM , (Baby) Moses' Older Sister, who BOLDLY &  INTELLIGENTLY  stepped out of the "rushes" to talk to PHARAOH's DAUGHTER about hiring Ma JOCHEBED to serve as a "Nurse Baby" to her own son in the PALACE, may we be PERCEPTIVE and BOLD enough to STEP OUT of our own "bushes" and SPEAK UP, CONVINCINGLY, FIRMLY, yet POLITELY, when those unique opportunities present themselves!  (EXODUS 2)

. ESTHER,  who  TACTFULLY & HUMBLY  intervened to save the Jewish Nation, may we, motivated by the GOOD that we KNOW our DEEDS have the potential to generate, have the COURAGE to take BOLD ACTION, even when/if it exposes us to the risk of facing dire consequences.  (ESTHER 8)

. ABIGAIL,  who,  DIPLOMATICALLY  went behind her husband's back and pleaded with KING-TO-BE DAVID to disregard the former's ill-advised bravado (aka "VOOM") and foolhardiness, may we be BOLD enough to initiate WISE, PROACTIVE and PREEMPTIVE measures that can avert calamity and save others from harm.  (1 SAMUEL 25)

. "THE WOMEN"!  Yes, those "WOMEN" we will, once more, be reminded of, in just a few weeks, on RESURRECTION SUNDAY. According to Dr. LUKE,   "It was  Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others  with them ..." While the Apostles cowered in fear, these same women who had, unlike most, followed CHRIST all the way to GOLGOTHA, are the ones who woke up EARLY, and, spurred by an astounding and exemplary sense of LOYALTY and DILIGENCE, went out BOLDLY to perform a SACRED SERVICE, to honor THE CHRIST. They did not let their GRIEF engulf, subdue or paralyze them. Instead, they allowed their DEVOTION to Someone they cared deeply about, to trump and cast out all FEAR.  (LUKE 24) Please, instill in us the GRACE & FORTITUDE OF CHARACTER, to DO LIKEWISE! AMEN!!!!

A VIEW OF  INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY  2016, 2015, 2014 ...

PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGES TO VIEW THE WOMEN'S DAY  2016  PICTURE ALBUMS!!! PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGE TO VIEW THE WOMEN'S DAY  2015  PICTURE ALBUM!!!

PLEASE CLICK ON ICON TO THE LEFT TO READ SISTER KATE LIFANDA'S VERY THOUGHT-PROVOKING BLOG REGARDING WOMEN'S DAY!

THE FIRST EVER CAMEROON CAREER WOMEN AWARDS  (CCWA) CEREMONY in LONDON ~ ENGLAND SATURDAY, MARCH 14 2015

THE 2015 CCWA WINNERS 

WINNER: MEDICINE Dr. SUSAN ENJEMA AWEH (Class of '94) http://www.asisteringermany.com/p/about-me.html

WINNER: EDUCATION  EGBE MBIWAN MONJIMBO  (Class of '81) http://www.sakerpride.com/

Mrs. Margaret Nyuydzewira, wife of the Deputy High Commissioner to The U.K., was the “Matron” of the Night. Apostle Dorothy Nanga from the USA presided over the opening, and in attendance were The CEO of African Gas Association, Ms Ngozi Anne Etoke, Dr. Nellie Boma, Mr. Chris Nasah, Founder of Cameroon Forum in London and Dr. Arreymbi Johnnes, amongst many others.

WINNER: THEOLOGY BISHOP CAROLINE VANDO

IN LOVING MEMORY OF THE VICTIMS OF THE ESEKA TRAIN ACCIDENT ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21 2016 MAY THEIR SOULS REST IN PEACE!

On Friday, 21st October 2016 a Camrail – Intercity Train derailment occurred  at Eseka in the Nyong and Kelle Division of the Centre Region of The Republic of Cameroon. The Toll? At least 70 dead and more than 600 injured. (NPR) Those figures make this accident the worst rail accident ever, in Cameroon's history. ​In the wake of this TRAGEDY, the President of the Republic Cameroon decreed that today, Monday 24th October 2016 be a day of national mourning but the hearts of ALL Cameroonians have been bleeding since the news broke on Friday (on the heels of the Yaounde-Douala Road incident, for which, (PRAISE GOD!), there are no recorded casualties), and they will continue to bleed long after the sun sets today!!! ANY LOSS OF HUMAN LIFE is painful no matter the circumstances BUT when those circumstances are the result of  PREDICTABLE,  and therefore  PREVENTABLE ( or at least  CONTAINABLE/MANAGEABLE)  human error, and not an "ACT OF GOD", hearts bleed TWICE as much! The RAGE has been widespread and palpable, and the reactions have run the gamut from Strident Calls for Civil Disobedience to Please for Fervent Prayer and Fasting.  Some have taken a "TOLD YOU SO" stance, claiming that one prophet or the other had "predicted" the catastrophe which the KINETICS part of our SBC ABBOT PHYSICS Textbook could very well have "predicted" with even more precision and which the TRAIN DRIVER HIMSELF had misgivings about PRIOR to embarking on the fateful journey, given the 8 ADDED-ON CHINESE TRAIN CARS WITH DOUBTFUL/QUESTIONABLE BRAKES! Others have insulted the "PROPHET FOLLOWERS" for being naive, "brainwashed" and downright "MUMU".  The "PROPHETS" themselves have not been spared; They have been called out for failing to be like the Prophets of Old who not just "FORETOLD" disasters, but provided SOLUTIONS, even if the "ACT OF GOD" itself were UNAVOIDABLE.  I, for one, would not INSULT or DISPARAGE the "PROPHETS" or their FOLLOWERS, but I definitely see where the skeptics are coming from! JOSEPH did interpret PHARAOH's "CHANGA & ENOMA"/FAT & LEAN COW dream accurately, letting the former  know that there would be 7 years of Plenty followed by 7 years of Famine. HOWEVER, he did not stop there! He provided PHARAOH with a CONCRETE, 7 YEAR ECONOMIC PLAN to COPE with the unavoidable disaster! NOAH warned the disobedient people AND built an Ark into which people could have sought refuge had they chosen to. Still other Prophets and Men of God were able to BEG, PLEAD, INTERCEDE and STAND IN THE GAP for whole nations and tribes. The ire of yet others has been kindled against "The Powers That Be", the posters of GORY, GRAPHIC and INSENSITIVE pictures and footage of the victims, CAMRAIL itself and the disinterestedness of those who could or should have been FIRST RESPONDERS! Enough blame to go around, it seems ... ALL OF THAT SAID, I believe the FOCUS right now should be DEALING with the CRISIS which has already occurred and LEARNING from the errors made so something this HORRIBLE and SENSELESS does not occur again. THAT way, the 70 & COUNTING who have PERISHED would at least NOT have died in vain, and those whose lives still hang in the balance might be saved!!!  FAST & PRAY, WE OUGHT TO! TAKE  CONCRETE  ACTION, WE MUST!!!

GLAD TIDINGS OF THE SEASON ...

SAKERETTE-CARAT BRIDE poses with her Mom, Class of 1980 RAT Ekobo Polle, and CAT Dr. Wilfred Mbacham. Amongst the many SAKERETTES present at the wedding were: L to R: Ms Sisako Tamko, Ms Priscilla Egbe; Dr. Stella Nwigwe Anyangwe and Ms Joan Chuo

Edwin & Sharon NGWAFOR

CLICK ON IMAGE ABOVE TO VIEW MORE PICTURES!

CARAT CADET ACHA JIDE NDANDO turned 21 on December 21st and his SAKERETTE Mom, Cousins and Aunties were on hand to celebrate with him! L to R: Didi Ndando, Marie Takusi Njowo, AJ Ndando, Sis Genevieve Ndando, Sis Edith Mbua & Nkemta Tchapet. Squatting: Sylvie Makoge Ejedepang-Koge & Ola Torimiro Eneme. PLEASE CLICK ON PICTURE TO VIEW ALBUM! HAPPY CHRISTMAS BIRTHDAY MARIE TAKUSI NJOWO (Class of 1982) PLEASE CLICK ON PICTURE TO SEE A TEENY BIT OF HOW SHE CELEBRATED TURNING FIFTY 'N FAB!

CLASS OF 1974's Mrs. EBOB MBIWAN TANYI  RECEIVES "OFFICIER DE L'ORDRE DE LA VALEUR" MEDAL (MAY 20th 2014) CONGRATS BIG SIS for this, and also on your school "producing" THE STUDENT WITH THE HIGHEST SCORE IN THE COMMON ENTRANCE, IN ALL OF THE SOUTH-WEST PROVINCE!!!

ENAKA "DIGS" ADIG MA YAAH Dr. ENAKA MARIE YEMBE WEDS Mr. ADIG NJOH FRIDAY MAY 2nd & SATURDAY MAY 3rd 2014 IN MONROE, LOUISIANA

PLEASE CLICK ON PICTURE ABOVE TO VIEW ALBUM OF THE WEDDING RECEPTION PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGE ABOVE TO VIEW PICTURE ALBUM OF CHURCH CEREMONY & PHOTO SESSIONS IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS.

Please Click On Picture ABOVE to VIEW Snippet of the TRADITIONAL part of the Marriage Celebration. PLEASE CLICK ON PICTURE ABOVE TO VIEW THE "KONTRI MARRET" ALBUM. The Bride's Our Lady of Lourdes Classmates presenting their best wishes.

THE MODERATOR OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN CAMEROON & CHANCELLOR OF THE CAMEROON CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY, THE RIGHT REVEREND Dr. FESTUS ASANA & HIS WIFE Mrs. JENNY ASANA WERE IN HOUSTON, TEXAS YESTERDAY, SUNDAY JULY 27 2014 FOR THE INAUGURATION OF THE FIRST PCC CONGREGATION IN THE U.S.A. THEY ALSO ATTENDED A FUNDRAISING DINNER IN THEIR HONOR. Here for your viewing pleasure, are some snippets ... 

PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGE ABOVE TO VIEW  VIDEO CLIP  OF THE THE MODERATOR'S ENTRANCE, LED BY THE CWF WOMEN IN ATTENDANCE. PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGE ABOVE TO VIEW  VIDEO CLIP  OF THE CULTURAL DANCING THAT TOOK PLACE PRIOR TO THE MODERATOR'S ARRIVAL

PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGE TO THE LEFT TO VIEW A  "MINI CAPTIONED ALBUM  OF THE EVENING MY WOMAN OF THE YEAR ...

TO LOOK LIKE THIS!!!!:

So IMPRESSIVE, in fact, that I think she deserves, to finally be forgiven for the hideous "partings" (hair styles) she "crafted" on her hapless and helpless younger sisters' heads, as attested by the picture on the right in which this particular sister is constrained to only manage a smile through her teeth, as she bears the pain of the zillions of "chookers" and "clips" it took to achieve the chef d'oeuvre on her head!! PLEASE CLICK ON PICTURE BELOW TO VIEW  THE RIVIERA STORY ALBUM!

HOW, IN GOD'S NAME, DOES SHE DO IT???!!!

I definitely did NOT wake up last Saturday morning with any plans of going anywhere near my desktop computer, given that I had to put finishing touches to the end-of-semester exams I was setting. However, a "Man Proposes but God Disposes" kind of event got me sitting right in front of the computer screen, editing a text that had been sent by His Excellency,"THE GARRI PROVIDER" of this Household, for me to edit. I don't know about you, but I am totally and completely INCAPABLE, once I sit down in front of a computer, of leaving the instant I am done with the one task that took me there in the first place. I just  HAVE TO  "turn-turn and look place small before ah go"!! And that is how I wound up posting the following email, a box of kleenex and a titi pail of tears after:

From: Egbe Monjimbo  Sent: Sat 1/11/14 11:51 AM To: Exsa-USA (exsa_usa@yahoogroups.com)

Hello there! - IF You woke up this morning thinking the OBSTACLES you face are INSURMOUNTABLE, - IF the countless examples of HORRENDOUS PARENTING that abound are beginning to make you think you should vigorously advocate for the inception of "A LICENSE TO PROCREATE", - IF You are someone who just doesn't understand why or how anyone could be a "PRO-LIFER", - IF You are one of those BLESSED to have been HAND PICKED to raise a SPECIAL NEEDS, so called "abnormal" CHILD, OR, - IF YOU JUST NEED A POTENT REMINDER OF HOW RESILIENT THE HUMAN SPIRIT CAN BE, OF HOW FAR OPTIMISM, FAITH, HOPE, DOGGED DETERMINATION, & AN ULTRA POSITIVE ATTITUDE CAN TAKE A HUMAN BEING, MAKE THE TIME TO WATCH THE VIDEO JUST POSTED on the WORTH SHARING PAGE ... AND LEARN FROM IT! http://www.sakerpride.com/WORTH-SHARING.html  (TOP OF PAGE)

Have a VERY THOUGHTFUL & GRATEFUL Weekend! Egbe Mbiwan Monjimbo

Less than 5 minutes after, the first of what turned out to be a BUNCH of phone calls came through, from a Mom nursing her sick Special Needs child in a hospital thousands of miles away who, like quite a few others, had NOT even checked out the Video Clip itself yet! And then came the emails, TONS OF THEM, that spilled over into Sunday. Clearly, a nerve had been struck. Well, the discussions that ensued from all the "communication" back and forth are what have "COMPELLED" me to go a little step further, and share yet another story, in an attempt to do the following: 

* Further encourage the MANY who are just trying to make it through each day, weighed down by all types of PAIN - physical and/or emotional, STRESS, STRUGGLES, TROUBLES & TRIALS, 

* "Dispel" any thoughts that the key to RICHIE PARKER'S ability to OVERCOME his extraordinarily unfavorable circumstances lies in the fact that he was  BORN  disabled, and therefore "predisposed" to cope, as he'd known no other life from day one; (as if we don't know hundreds of other "disabled from birth"  AND  ABLE-BODIED  people who are completely submerged in bitterness and pessimism),

* PORTRAY  WHAT LOVING & MARRYING SOMEONE "FOR BETTER OR WORSE; IN SICKNESS & IN HEALTH" really looks like, and what STAND-BY-YOUR-SIDE-THROUGH-THICK-AND-THIN, loyal, unconditional, friendship means!

* BELIE, (yet again!), the  Biblically INCORRECT and grossly unsubstantiated, (yet widely propagated) idea, that being BLESSED and SPIRITUALLY UPRIGHT equates to PERFECT HEALTH, (except for slight catarrh and cough every leap year, ABUNDANT WEALTH , (3 "up stairs" houses minimum), A "YES MA"/"YES SAH" SPOUSE, A HOUSE FULL OF CHILDREN (with at least one set of twins), A MINIMUM OF TWO PhDs, and a NAOMI CAMPBELL/"SUPER MAKIA" FIGURE!!!, AND, 

* RAISE BREAST CANCER AWARENESS  which, SADLY, is what is responsible for THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE DEATHS RECORDED ON THIS WEBSITE'S IN MEMORIAM PAGE!!!

​NOW, isn't it simply AMAZING that  JUST ONE WOMAN'S LIFE STORY  can accomplish "ALL OF THE ABOVE"??? 

Here, Ladies & Gentlemen, in 3 CANDID, AWE-INSPIRING, Video Clips, is the story of a PHENOMENAL WOMAN called  JONI EARECKSON TADA , one of my ALL TIME "(S)HEROES"! Hopefully, by the time you're done viewing, you'd realize that the ANSWER to the QUESTION-TITLE of this posting sort of answers itself!!

MY THOUGHTS THIS MOTHERS DAY EVE ... May 10 2014

CHRISTMAS 2012

- Presents from BEST BUY, MACY's, etc. Total cost higher than a whole month's RENT in the apartment on the left. - Packaging alone costs twice the contents of both Trash Bags in picture on left. - "1 million inch" Flat Screen TV from Best Buy whose cost Oga Monjimbo has kept a secret, in the interest of World Peace. - Photo taken with Digital Sony Camera whose cost Ma Monjimbo shall not reveal for same reason mentioned above. (At least I had a Rewards Coupon!)

CHRISTMAS 1997 - First Christmas in the U.S.

-  ALL  Christmas Presents from DOLLAR STORE. - "PACKAGING": 2 decorated TRASH BAGS from AMES. - "2 inch" T

.V.  WITH ANTENNA  in Background from THRIFT STORE - Photo taken with 27 exposure DISPOSABLE Camera from WALMART. - Christmas Tree so "microscopically" tiny, it does not show from behind the trash bag to the left! The 2 kids in the picture, (ages 5 and 3), who are now young adults, will tell you, without the slightest hesitation, that they have enjoyed EVERY SINGLE CHRISTMAS of their lives BUT guess which one they single out as THE BEST EVER?? You know what a Rhetorical Question is, right? Now here's a Video for you:

Still preaching publicly at 90, in 2008. He still broadcast "My Hope America" in November 2013, from his home 

At his 95th Birthday in November 2013. In his 20s! ON FIRE FOR THE GOSPEL! PLEASE CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE TO VIEW A PICTURE ALBUM THAT TELLS, AS BEST IT CAN, THE STORY OF AN INCREDIBLE MAN!

Click to watch some footage  of The 1957 Billy Graham Crusade in NEW YORK which ran nightly for 16 WEEKS STRAIGHT!!

On the evening of  September 11, 1957 , Dr. Billy Graham faced the final and largest audience of his New York Crusade at an outdoor rally in Times Square. An estimated 125,000 people jammed Broadway from curb to curb and overflowed into a dozen side streets.  It was his one hundredth service. For 110 days, through 97 meetings in Madison Square Garden, he had battled the devil in the metropolis known as "the graveyard of evangelists." His only weapons were prayer and repeated declarations of God's love and eventual judgment.  He had fought a good fight. It had sliced eighteen pounds off his lean, weary frame. By midnight he was aboard the Piedmont Limited, hurrying home to his family in North Carolina.  His New York Crusade broke all records for organized evangelistic crusades. It ran longer. It attracted more people. It resulted in more converts. It cost more money, almost $2,500,000. Extraordinary figures document the story: Two million people heard him face to face at either Madison Square Garden meetings or other rallies. More than 56,000 men, women, and young people came forward and made decisions for Christ. Of these, 22,000 were under twenty-one. Over 2,000 were college students from the New York area. 

*SOURCE: "GOD IN THE GARDEN; THE STORY OF THE BILLY GRAHAM NEW YORK CRUSADE"

A HUGE THANK YOU TO "WHOM IT MAY CONCERN" OH!!!!!!

REFLECTING ON YESTERDAY ... & TODAY - COURTESY OF FACE BOOK POSTINGS YESTERDAY ... About a couple of weeks ago, Chicago-based Ms Christy Menyoli posted a series of pictures from her teenage days and, SURE ENOUGH, the Class of '89-er included some SAKER GEMS in the lot! A few of them caught my fancy, so I BEGGED, and now I am BLUFFING!!! 

PLEASE CLICK ON PICTURE ABOVE TO VIEW CAPTIONED 7 PICTURE ALBUM! THE SAKER MEMORIES ARE SURE TO COME FLOODING IN. MINE DID!! THE TRIP FROM BAFOUSSAM TO DOUALA!

By way of "ILLUSTRATIONS" I thought I'd just share these few picks from my 2011 Road Trips within Cameroon. Also, for those whose language of preference is FRENCH, and for those who might be interested in rating my translation skills - or the lack thereof, (LOL), here's the ORIGINAL narrative as it was forwarded to me about a year ago. CLICK ON ICON DIRECTLY BELOW!

It is FEBRUARY 11th, which means "YOUTH DAY IS AROUND FOR YOUNG CAMEROONIANS AT HOME & ABROAD" as the song goes! The day is very likely to bring back lots of MEMORIES, especially for those of us who don't quite fit into the YOUTH category anymore, AGE-WISE at least!  Today, what is on my mind though, is NOT really the events that marked the Youth Day itself, like the MARCH PASTS, (complete with the "Eyes Right" when you got to the "GRAND STAND", be it at BONGO'S SQUARE in BUEA, CENTENARY STADIUM in VICTORIA or COMMERCIAL AVENUE in 'BAKWA, or the OUTINGS - and the "TUNINGS" & "BRAININGS" that were an integral part of them.  My mind has settled much more on the MUSIC, which was, OBVIOUSLY different for every generation. While it is impossible to compile an exhaustive list of the songs that got GALANT BOBÉS, over the years, to ask some Lady to "EXCUSE ME DANCE" at a House Party, at a TEATIME DANCE (a la PYC/ BAY SALOON) or in the course of some NOCTURNAL ESCAPADE to "MANTOM", "SANSUI", "CLUB CENT", "MIRAMAR", "PALADIUM", etc. I have tried, on the spur of the moment, to include as BROAD a "SAMPLING" of the YESTERYEAR MUSIC - "records" actually, that REIGNED in the late 60s, the 70s and early 80s as I can! Hope you ENJOY it!!  OYA! CHOOSE YOUR CHOICE AND SEKELE LIKE THERE'S NO TOMORROW OH!  I already am!!

CLICK ON ICON!!! MY SWEETY, MY SUGAR (BUNNY MACK):  http://youtu.be/f_8Jj2rkcv4 

BEAUTIFUL WOMAN (CLOUD 7):  http://youtu.be/KrXaasRDoDE

I’VE BEEN LOVING YOU (THE WINGS):  http://youtu.be/nAs0k-xchmM

ZIBOTÉ (ERNESTO DJÉDJÉ):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAENRGTyx9c&feature=share&list=PLO3WuJvgYjDSgMbBEeOAVYVo5nwGeuXXT

VICKY SHAMA:  http://youtu.be/w7ud54D8Rgw

MAKAMBO MIBALE (Les Bantous De La Capitale):  http://youtu.be/sv7afN8GSwU TAXI JIVE (THEMBI):  http://youtu.be/hVkyMrkDpsk

KWELA MFANA (THEMBI):  http://youtu.be/H-zvLMuK_lk

PALM SUNDAY 2014 TURNED OUT TO BE VERY BLESSED ...

And then, to crown it all, in came my D.C. DIVALICIOUS SISTAH, Ms EKOKE TAMBE, her Precious CARAT in tow! Needless to say, "Monjimbo Cottage" has come alive ...

PILGRIMAGE TO BIMBIA ...

On Wednesday, April 29 2015, 5 SAKERETTES - Ms Melissa Nambangi - all the way from Minnesota), Mrs. Ebob Mbiwan Tanyi, Ms Esther Ashu, Jayne & Mariah Betow, all headed off to explore the BIMBIA Slave Trade Site, in the company of someone who knows her way around the area very well, African-American Fulbright Professor of African and African American Studies and political science, Lisa Aubrey. Here below, is Esther Ashu's "COMPTE RENDU" of the days events, which is so well supported by the Photo Album posted to the right.

Hi Ma Saker Pride, I am just so overwhelmed with the wealth of information and knowledge I gathered yesterday about my beloved country's history. I guess a whole bunch of Cameroonians have no clue about the fact that Cameroon was a major exit point for the transatlantic slave trade which took place hundreds of years ago. Thanks to my dynamic senior sister  Melissa Nambangi , CEO of MAWA Minnesota, I was able to reconnect to my roots in " Man O War" Bay, near Bimbia. In fact, I was born in  " Man O War" Bay , Victoria while my late mother was teaching in the then Bilingual Grammar School, Buea which was originally located there. Since the age of two, I have never seen the place. The Bimbia Slave camp is worth visiting. Our Resource person was non other than  Fulbright Professor Lisa Aubrey , who has done extensive research on the transatlantic slave trade in Cameroon.   Consultant Mwemba Meombo (Retired CRTV journalist)   stopped by to add more flesh to the wealth of information about Bimbia and the slave trade. This tour was conducted in partnership with the  Limbe III Council  and girl! This whole tour was mind blowing and educative,  Sister Melissa, Myself, Sis. Ebob Mbiwan Tanyi, Professor Lisa Aubrey, Jayne and Mariah Betow  and a host of others ended up at the ALCEF Riviera Park after a 4 hour tour of the Slave camp site.

Here are some of the things we learned during the visit to the Slave camp at Bimbia:  > The camp itself was located right in the forest near the sea front.  > Slaves were tied with chains on the legs and made to feed from troughs like animals.   > The slave boats anchored very close to the settlements and the slaves were let into the boats through doors referred to as "door of no return".   > Most of the bricks which were found at the site were directly imported from European countries such as Britain. Some of the bricks are still marked with initials such as "JFK".

PROFESSOR LISA AUBREY,  FULBRIGHT PROFESSOR OF AFRICAN & AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES AND POLITICAL SCIENCE, Interviewed by Ms MELISSA NDINGE NAMBANGI, VETERAN JOURNALIST & CEO OF (MAWA)  Who Led The Pilgrimage At The Request Of The ROOTS & RE-CONNECTION GROUP

bimbia v 1 from Egbe Monjimbo on Vimeo .

bimbia v 3. from Egbe Monjimbo on Vimeo .

bimbia v 2 from Egbe Monjimbo on Vimeo .

Professor Lisa Aubrey gives her perspective on the commonly held and propagated belief that Africans sold their brethren into Slavery.  Professor Lisa Aubrey explains the importance and relevance of Cameroon's Slave Trade History Professor Lisa Aubrey sheds light on the methods used to capture Cameroonian slaves. (Trickery)

CLASS OF 1984 TRIP TO NAMIBIA ON NAMIBIAN TV from Egbe Monjimbo on Vimeo .

From the time, back in 1976 when The Very Reverend NYANSAKO-NI-NKU - then UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSION FOR REFUGEES (UNCHR) Program Coordinator brought 4 NAMIBIAN GIRLS to join my Saker Baptist Form 1 Class, (after schools had already resumed), the CONNECTION between SAKER BAPTIST COLLEGE and NAMIBIA has continued to exist, WAXING and WANING across the 43 years that it has spanned.

Those first 4 NAMIBIAN GIRLS were: MILKA KALOMO  - Student #1220 who, before her passing (from Brain Cancer) in 2008, was a University Lecturer, Mother and Grandmother (R.I.P.), SERAPHINA KAPALONDUA  - Student #1221 who also succumbed to Cancer (R.I.P), PAULINE HAUSHONA  - Student #1222 who passed on in the early 90s (R.I.P), and  OTILIA IPINGE  - Student #1223,the only surviving member of the group who is currently thriving as a Lecturer at the University of Namibia (UNAM)

​Many other NAMIBIAN students were to follow these first 4:  Esther Mathe, Ndilineke Shikongo, Libertina Kautwima, Rebecca Munyandi, Magdalena Kambangula, Ndahafa Mavulu, Helen Nahole, Eunice Mayumbelo, Helena Shimbudhi, Teresia Nailenge, Hilda Lukileni, Emilia Hangula, Ndeshi Hangula, Maria Hiyalwa, Martha Shifiona, Patricia Ausiku, Marie Owino Junias-Ameya,  and most probably, a few others I cannot recall, who came to SBC after I left in 1981.

Incidentally, none of those first 4 "Namibian Girls" actually graduated from Saker Baptist College, since they either returned home or moved on to other institutions of learning in Cameroon, as was the case with quite a few others after them.  One of them,  NDESHI HANGULA-SHIKWAMBI , did, however GRADUATE from SBC with honors, (after serving as Music Prefect in her Form 5 Year), and she has gone on to (currently) hold the position of:  Control Administrative Officer: Public Office Bearer (Remuneration and Benefits) Commission Secretariat in the Office of the Prime Minister!!!! ( AWESOME! ) ​She it is who facilitated and ably hosted the 17 Class of '84 ladies (and 2 Class of '85 members) and, (with her distinguished, top notch connections), made their visit the HUGE AFFAIR it truly was, in Namibia, covered on NATIONAL TV, in the NATIONAL PRESS and posted on the NAMIBIAN PRESIDENCY's OFFICIAL FACEBOOK Page!!!  To appreciate HOW FAR she has come, FROM THE BUSHES IN ANGOLA TO THE OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, PLEASE CLICK ON THE ICON BELOW and READ HER CAPTIVATING, RIVETING, EXTRAORDINARY STORY!!

PLEASE CLICK ON THIS PICTURE TO VIEW COMPLETE VIDEO & PHOTO ALBUM OF THE NAMIBIA TRIP!

Elizabeth Ndeshi Hangula (SBC Student #1516) in her SBC "Blue Sack" and brown sandals, at Spaceman Photo Studios located at 99 Church Street Limbe, Cameroon in 1981 and (top right), at her graduation from SBC in 1984

A group of NAMIBIAN students who studied in Cameroon and who are now back in their home country. (2018)

Eunice passed away on January 13th 2018 while on a visit to CHICAGO (USA) and the picture above SAKERETTES at he funeral in Chicago, laying roses on her draped casket. Late Pauline Haushona Shilongo, (SBC Student #1222), one of the group of 4 Namibian Girls who first came to Saker Baptist College. Late Eunice Mayumbelo (SBC Student #1422) who was a French Teacher at Dawid Bezuidenhout High School (Nambia).  Libertine Kautwima (SBC Student #1341) at SBC Gate.