The real Story behind the construction of new Schools in Lebialem

Curled from Lebialem Portal [Ed. note] Education and Development: FuaNdem Nchoh’alah aka Fr Vincent Lockhart hands modern schools to Lebialem ( Save as .pdf )
Lebialem division can now boast of some of the most modern schools constructed in the South West Province of Cameroon. This was a special mission of Scottish born Catholic clergy, Fr Vincent Lockhart during his less than one year recent stay in Cameroon from October 2007 to June 2008 . Ultra modern newly contructed C.S Foto "The man of God" constructed schools comprising of 6 classrooms in most cases, a hall, staff room, toilets in various areas etc in Lebialem. These schools constructed include Catholic School Fotabong which was inaugurated on May 27, Catholic School Fotoh-Ndungated inaugurated on, May 29 and during which His Royal Majesty Fon Asongna II conferred the traditional title of FuaNdem (Chief of God) on Fr Vincent Lockhart. HRM Fon Asongna II of Foto confers title of FuaNdem to fr Vincent It was also the turn of Catholic School Njenawa (Njenawung on June 2 during which the Paramount ruler of Njenawaung once again honoured FuaNdem with the title Nchoh "alah meaning opener of society. By combination therefore, Fr Vincent hence is known as FuaNdem Nchoh'alah meaning "the Chief of God who opens a society". Newly constucted CS Njenawa(Njenawung Other schools also constructed were C S Mbop in lower Njenawa done under the request of the parents of the area whose younger children cannot trek to Upper Njenawa where the bigger school is based. The Fon of Njenawung decorates FuaNdem with another title Nchoh 'alah FuaNdem Nchoh'alah says "The three newly completed schools were built in the space of four months and were inaugurated over the course of a week (May 27-June 2)." He continues "I had wanted that the celebrations be small affairs but each one seemed to get bigger". Fuankengacha-retired Catholic teacher cut the ribon of CS Fotabong(partial view) FuanNdem Nchoh 'alah also received the assistance of Catholic Aid for Overseas Development of England and Wales (CAFOD), to the tune of £10.000 approximately FCFA 9 million which was used in the construction of classrooms in Nkongle. The Scottish International Aid Fund also gave £10.000. Partial view of new CS Nkongle which was completely ravished by huricane in April 2007 About the impact of his work this is what FuaNdem Nchoh'alah, writes "The impact of these new schools will be enormous in the lives of the children and because of that the people expressed their gratitude to the parishioners of St. Monica's, Kirkwood Credit Union and to all those friends who very generously contributed the funding for these projects." In a chat with the new Parish Priest of Saint John the Evangelist parish Fotabong, Fr Manfred Ejong Nokwe, he described the work of FuaNdem Ncoh'alah as wonderful. Veteran teacher Mr Ajong Nkangu Gabriel aka Nkemndem said he lacks words to describe that Focolare priest ad Fr Vincent in particular are doing for the people of Lebialem. Pupils say thank you to the parishioners of St Monica, Coatbridge, the Kirwood Credit Union and other benefactors The schools were constructed thanks to the generosity of parishioners of Saint Monica Parish Coatbridge, Scotland where Fr Vincent is presently serving as parish priest. We danced to show our gratitude Most of the schools constructed were in areas where previous buildings were seriously damaged by hurricane which hit Njenawung, Nkongle, Foto and some other areas in April 2007. In Nkongle for example, everything was destroyed. This had earlier been reported by LEBIALEMPORTAL in Lebialem.com following the appeal of the then Catholic Education Secretary for Lebialem Area and current Principal of Seat of Wisdom College, Fr Darryl D'Souza. Note must be taken here that, one of the most beautiful primary school in the Republic of Cameroon was recently constructed in Bechati by Fr Darryl with help from some Italian Mps. Help us mum, dad, sis, bro...... Thanks Early this year, Lebialemportal sent an appeal for Lebialem elites to support the Lebialem Catholic education authorities. Though the response was almost fruitless, HRH Fotabongachaleke, Nguasong Anu M. aka ANUCAM, HON Dr Michael Ndobegang, Valentine Taku and a few others are among those who have joined the Catholic Church in Lebialem in improving on the lives of school children. It should be noted that FuaNdem Nchoh'alah (Fr Vincent) had once stayed in Cameroon for over ten years before leaving in the late 90s. He left back for Scotland on June 14. As he puts it " i consider myself part of these people." By Aloysius Agendia With additional reports from www.saintmonica.org.uk

Incredible Pictures of New Catholic school Ndungated

[Ed Note. The original content of this photos, and accompanying feedback pertains to saintmonica.org.uk, thus copyright as well.
Enjoy! Amin George Forji]





This is the new school at Foto Ndungated which was inaugurated on the 29th May 2008. The funds for building the school and for bulldozing the field were provided from a number of sources - among which was from money given by St. Monica's, Coatbridge.
















His Majesty, Fon Foto Asongna II
cuts the ribbon to formally open the new school at one of the entrance arches



The school choir sang the national anthem and some welcome songs.
The girl who is second from the left pinched her Mum's shoes for the occasion. (see picture above)








Procession to the school buildings.
The builder, Prince Julius Foto, is to the left of Fr. Vincent.(See photo above)









A total surprise for everyone, especially Fr. Vincent, was when the Fon took him into one of the classrooms and dressed him in royal robes. The Fon then announced that he was making Fr. Vincent a chief with the name FuaNdem which means: The Chief of God. (see photo above)