My Mother kept a garden.
A garden of the heart;
She planted all the good things,
That gave my life it's start.

She turned me to the sunshine,
And encouraged me to dream:
Fostering and nurturing
The seeds of self-esteem.

And when the winds and rains came,
She protected me enough;
But not too much, she knew I'd need
To stand up strong and tough.

Her constant good example,
Always taught me right from wrong;
Markers for my pathway
To last my whole life long.

I am my Mother's garden,
I am her legacy.
And I hope today she feels the love,
Reflected back from me.

 Those we love don't go away,

They walk beside us every day,
Unseen, unheard, but always near,
Still loved, still missed and very dear <3 

Grandma , It Wasn't Your Time To Go . There We're So Many Questions , Memories & Stories I Wanted To Share With You . When You Came , I Missed The Sweet Times We Had ; Taking Walks , Going To Events & You Just Telling Me How Beautiful Life Was In Cameroon & I've Dreamt Of It Since .

Its Unforunate That I Didn't Have The Chance To Vist You , But I Know You're Going To Look Over Me With All Your Love & Care . If It Wasn't For You , There Wouldn't Be Nehmafor Fatu Sheriff . Thank You For Everything You Have Done , I Love You With All My Heart . We'll Meet Again One Day :)

   Love , Nehmafor Fatu Annie Sheriff 

Daughter & Grand-Daughter . 

 Oh Mama,

What will I do to be heard ?

Its taken this long for me to gather myself together to accept the reality of your death. I want to thank God for your life,

as you were an example of the God sent one on earth, this can only be testified by those of us who lived with you  and those in your community.For you were a mother ,a teacher , a mentor and a role model who has contributed for whom I am today . Mama   I promise to keep that  good name of yours forever by continueing the rest of your duties on this earth, because I am ma Ayukefo Jr, allais "ngore Nfor"

Thank you again mama for all your work in this world and hope that the God you served grant you internal rest with all the angles in heaven.For we your children, grand children , sisters  and husband know that you have gone to the lord  to be with your junior sister mami Regina Enow as we all look forward for your heavenly  protection until the day we shall all join you in God's kingdom.It is well with your Soul mama as we shall all miss you, the smiles and  the jokes . Adieus!!!!

 MAMA REST IN PEACE,

Ma Ayukefo Esther (Ngore Nfor)

 Grandma everything i had in mind to write about you have been contributed by others above, but i have three great things about you i will never forget.I first knew you around the end of 1992 when i started form one at GBHS Bamenda.I used to come and meet Eta and Ayamba for us to trek to school together and you were so nice to me.You will make sure you serve us with food before we go to school.I wispered one day to either Eta or Ayamba that " wona Mami over good" not knowing that you were hearing and you laugh and told me that " i am their grandmother and i am a palace woman and palace women do not descriminate children" .

My family later  relocated to yaounde and after staying in yaounde for some years, i came back to Bamenda for holidays and came to visit my friends.I met you sitting on your chair and you were very happy to see me again eventhough you asked me alot of questions. At the end of the question session, you realised i was a class ahead of my friends and you told me to advice them to work hard and read well so as to make it in the GCE and join me in High School.You called them from their room and said " Wona friend don come for visit wona and ei dey High School now so me wona study hard for dey like him" You politely told me to go and come back in the evening since they were studing at that time and told me not to play with book work. You said " wona learn book fine eventhough country bad now but ei go find someday and man wey ei no go school go loss"

 The last conversation i had with you was in December 2009 when i visited Cameroon.I left Cameroon some few months before Ayamba for England and later relocated to the USA. We were not in the same state but always talking on phone and planned to meet in Cameroon that December since we havn't seen each other like for four years. I came home to Visit and met you sitting on the same chair i have known for years. I greeted you and introduced my self again and you ask me this question " you don come house only when your friend don come.So you no fit pass salut me ma see how you don big.Na wona get foot for waka now.If you hear say i don die weti you go tell your friend" I told you i was not in Cameroon and am coming from the same country with my friend and i actually came to pay you a visit not my friend, and you said " Oh na true.I see how you don fat.We thank God say wona di waka go come back healthy come meet we." You then ask what i was doing and i told you i was persuing a degree in international relations and you said "  me God open your eye fine so that you go read that book come fix this country.All wey i fit give you na prayers" .I am very happy to have recieved this powerful blessings from you.God opened my eyes and i read very well.I finished my program last December and wish to thank you for the wounderful prayers you gave me.

Grand Ma, if tears could build a stairway, and heartache make a lane, I’d walk the path to heaven and bring you back again.  However I am convinced like the Apostle Paul that “----neither death, nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things to come, nor power --- nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Life holds so many facets and I know for sure that the earth is only one.  This is why the Bible  declares that “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, says the Spirit. They will rest from their labors, and their deeds follow them.”  (Rev. 14:13).  Grand  Ma, rest from your labour until we meet in heaven.   We miss you dearly, but I believe that our Lord Jesus knows best and will work all things together for our good.   Bye for now.

                                                       Blaise Kengjise

                                                         Atlanta, Georgia, USA

The collins English dictionary defines a Heroine as "a woman of exceptional courage and nobility,idealized for having superior qualities in any field...the field my dear Mama excelled in most of all,was that of being the best "family head" I could ever wish to have had.

Mama,my very enfant mind still recalls your ever insistent request that your younger sister sends her twin children to you whilst still in primary school on every long vacation.What sisterly love,and what love for your sister`s children.

Mama,my childish mind still recalls your letters to me whilst in college to remember that I have to come to Bamenda every 3rd term holiday to spend the time with you,during which for 3 months,and sleeping in your room,used the occasion to deliver the oral history of our family,and to impress on me,the fact I was your natural successor.

Mama,my adult mind does holds dear,all your letters of encouragement on my stride in life and advice on how to live a successful and satisfactory life.I might have failed you on few occasions as I tussled along,but never a day went by without your stern warnings resonating and thus helping to bring me back,on occasions that I faltered.

It did broke my heart seeing you so ill during my last visit,for someone who has towered over adversity for all her life.That was when it became clear as mere mortals,there is only so much we can do or prevent.Therefore,if the Good Lord has re-called you as his child into his kingdom,we only have to thank him for haven given you to us for the education,love and opportunities you so generously dispensed.Today we mourn a great loss,bearing in mind you are gone ahead to prepare a place for us in heaven,as you so graciously did whilst on earth.And whilst we still linger on,I suppose the best tribute we can accord you is to continue your good work and for me personally,is to impliment all your teachings,starting from my enfant years which is keeping the family unity together.This,dear Mama,I PROMISE YOU.

                           Your Son...(Papa Francis)

Grandma the news of your passing away has left me feeling such sadness and emptiness and I will miss you terribly.When I recently heard about your illness from my parents,asking me to pray for you,I was sure you would come out of it as in the past but God’s ways are not ours.So I thank God for the long and fulfilled life you lived here on earth.I regret not being beside you to say a last goodbye but the memories of the good moments we spent together will always remain in my mind.It always made your day to have us,your grandchildren around you; your love was unique and unending.You truly were a special woman.I will forever be grateful to God for making you my “Big Mammy”.May the good Lord grant you eternal rest in his bosom.

Your Grandson, Koko.(Kingsley Mengot)

BIG MAMMA!!!

i really miss you. I miss the times that you called me "bad moyo" and i refused saying that im a "good moyo". Big Mamma i am speachless because when i think about your last visit to yaounde,we actually discussed like friends. You told me some stories which are still fresh in my memeory. You also called me "bad moyo" during that period and i refused, running and laughing that i am "good moyo" and not "bad moyo".  The day before you left back for bamenda, i held your hand and took you outside where we both admired the flowers infront of the house and you admitted to me that i am now a "good moyo"......  Now that yoou are gone, who will tell me stories about the house in bamenda?, who is going to pkay with me by calling me "BAD MOYO"?, who will admire nature with me again? OHHH BIG MAMMA!!!! i will really miss you and wished it was not true that you are gone just like NINA.   

                 REST IN PEACE IN THE LORD

                          BATE-ENO MARVEL (bad moyo)

MAMMA,

You taught me how to unite the family.You who loved living with people rather than having money.To you, the larger the family, the happier it is not even when there wasn't any luxury. Your philosophy was one of sharing and economising in order to reach out to the needs of many family members. You made us to know them and recognise them as our brothers and sisters.

The long holidays were days of multitudes at home. Sharing of meals was dramatic. Childrens' names had to be recited as food was being dished out and someone could be forgotten in the process. Yet in all of these you found joy. You saw each child and grand children grow together.

 Mamma; you touched the lives of many, both old and young in the society. Your working years were full of energy. From the classroom to the various church groups (c.w.f) and cultural groups in which you belonged. You were active and zealous in groups like 'Thick Madam' and "Semore Se Ngoh",  the Besongabang and Manyu meetings. You will always be rememberd for the leadership positions you held in all these meetings.

You were a disciplinarian and this made me what i am today. As an educationalist you taught me the value of education.You will wake me up at 2am to remind me of the essence of having my own certificate in order not to be dependent on any family member. Your advices made tears to run down my eyes.You reminded me of the responsibility i had infront of me if as you used to say "cover eye".Now you have "covered the eyes" when all the grand children are well placed.

You rejoiced at my achievements and shared in my sorrows. With the loss of Nina you lamented and asked why not you first. Now you have gone to meet her in eternity.

Well how we always used to be together. Chasing of files in the Ministry and several medical checkups to see Dr Mbanya in CUSS are all memories I cant forget. You were indeed a friend Your lengthy letters to me and the fun about the moyos kept us amused.

When my visits to Bamenda became less frequent and brief you will tell me to come when you can still tell me "things"

Papa as you fondly called me created an intimacy between us .How I missed those good moments which we spent chatting in your room . Those moments were a reminiscence of  a mother's love for her daughter.

Mamma you will forever remain in my mind.

                                 REST IN PEACE 

                                     FROM YOUR "PAPA"

You were the pillar of this family. You loved to see peaple united. YOU always used to tell me that i have your heart and no matter what peaple think about my friendship with many people, i should continue being hospitable to everyone i meet on my way.You also use to tell me that my family members too are very important and i should always make time to visite them even if they do not look for me. Namesake!!  i remember as you always told me tobe bold inorder to meet up with my expectations and i should study very hard inorder to be like you, taking care of loved ones.

Big mamma!! you always reminded me to be a good girl and forget about outtings so that i could start thinking about tomorow and how i will become a good responsible wife.The last thing you told me before you went back to bamenda during your last trip to yaounde was that:  on my wedding day, you will dress me so that i will look as beautiful as you in your youthful days. You also promised to teach me how to cook many traditional dishes for my husband. ohh BIG MAMMA!! i can not believe that you are gone before my wedding day.

Namesake, i prayed so mush for you to get well especially when i heard you had a stroke. I cannot still believe that i was planning to be with you this third term holiday because i missed your advices, your talks, and your pettywords.

Big Mamma!!  i am glad you died a fullfilled death because all your children have stood up independently and nearly all your grand children are doing well.   Namesake!!.... i wished you did not die now but since GOD knows best; i hope to see you up there when i also give off my own ghost.

BIG MAMMA;  your children, grand children, great grand children and the other generations to come will always be proud of you. we love you and will miss you so much.Mami NDIKUM, your memories will live for ever and will never be forgotten.

                     R.I.P BIG MAMMA

                       (your namesake) :     MAYUK ESTHER (MA-NDIKUM)

                                                                           PINKY TX

 " Mami !!! as I fondly called you. Yes, who will shout my name Rose again from the other end of the parlour ?  Who will knock my door in the middle of the night and say " Rose, I no fit cover eye....that sugar don high again ".

I use to get upset sometimes, as its all part of human nature, and I never knew you were trying to instill a part of your life into my life, untill this day that when I look across the parlour and into your bed room right next to mine and don't see you. Who will I crack egusi and converse with at night. You were like my own husband and source of inspiration. In you I see hope when all hopes were gone from the time I was also sick and you started calling both of us " Sick People ".

Mami, I am short of words, for words alone won't express the tons of appreciation and thanks I owe you. You father and mother my own children. sometimes when I want to step in, you will say " Rose dooyeee...."  meaning       " Rose step aside". What a great and never complain Mother you were.

The lord's ways are not our ways. He wants this year of 2012 to be a year of  rest for both of us after battling with insuline for 30 years. You will forver remain in my memories and I miss hearing you shout my name " Rose......"

Your First Daughter.....Rose Takor  " Manyi "

WEEPING EYES

My eyes are spent with weeping

My soul is in tumid

My heart is poured out with grief…because of this death of our dearest Papa and Mama as we know you.

We were born 4 daughters, our parents, Papa and Mama suddenly died leaving us orphans in your hands. You surrendered your life, settled down in marriage and teaching job and educated us your 3 junior sisters.

What can I say to you?

What can I compare you to?

What can I liken to you that may comfort me of this grief?

In all the pain I feel deep in me, I am glad and rejoice for I know that the Lord had a purpose for calling you home at this time of life.

For you have played your part as a good elder sister and needed rest.

So, I rejoice for you are with the LORD looking down at us, your presence always, never to forget the good things you did for us. From dust, we come to dust we all returned. Oh my dear sister, may your soul rest in PEACE.

Yours junior sister, Mrs Joan Nkongho Mbuagbaw

GRAND-MA….”THE MAGNET”

Grand-Ma, I am very proud of you. It all started when I came to this world (mother earth) and you gave me the names of your father….since then, you called me ‘Papa’. I can’t forget the numerous eye specialist you took me to during my youthful age due to an eye infection. You never gave up until the infection was cured. Thank you Mama. Although with a meager salary as a teacher, you worked relentlessly and gave education to all your children, grand children and extended family. I am still wondering how you use to manage the home. You touched countless lives…’magnet-metal’ relationship. I remembered when I had my ‘A’ levels and was about to travel to Nigeria for University admission, I brought a letter from Mrs Dr Mengot Maggie for you to add some money to enable travel. As excited as I was, you suddenly fell sick and was admitted in the Bamenda General Hospital, with the fear that I was still a child to live by myself in a war-turned Nigeria. After the second night on the hospital bed, you unknotted an edge of your wrapper and removed 50,000 Fcfa and said “Papa, take and go gain admission to the closest Nigeria University to Mamfe…..just in case of any political unrest, you should be in Mamfe the next minute”. Grand-Ma, that was when I became a man. On another occasion at the Douala airport, you cried when I was travelling to the UK for further studies. You never wanted me to be far from you. You refused all my choices for a wife with tangible reasons until I found my present wife, Ma T. Your satisfactions for the choice of Ma T contributed in your extended life on earth ensuring that she saw my children (4), her great grand children. You unfailingly satisfied all of us during Xmas celebrations with ‘Christmas cloths and shoes’. Most recently, 2008 Xmas, you again offered me a ‘gandoura’ as my Christmas cloths….we will missed you and your gestures.

The last time you saw me was exactly 12 days before you left us. I am inspired by the last firm grip of my hand and the fix look into my eyes while on your sick bed. I now understand that was a message of handing over the baton of life to me. Grand-Ma, I promise not to let you down…your wish is my desire. Mama, remember, after working uncompromisingly all through your life, you need a rest. We thank GOD for the useful life you have lived. Although we love you, GOD loves you more. Farewell Grand-Ma. 

Papa ENO NKU Manasseh

Yes Win-ntoh as I have always call you. Where will I start. While I was growing and schooling with you in C.S Bayelle, you use to call me "chop chop". Then I left and moved to Yaounde. You started calling me "Ayamz Boy".  I remember the day I pick up the phone and call you While you were in Bamenda sitting on your chair. I announce to you that I have won the American Lottery. You burst into tears. Then I said " Mami stop crying, this is good news ", and you replied "Ayamz Boy, its tears of joy." Since that day, you started calling me "American Boy".

I still remember the day I call you on the phone and announce to you that I will be coming in Dec 2009 with my son Denzel, one of your great grand sons. You were so happy and when I came, You carried him on your legs and started calling him     "chop chop". You wore Denzel's Father Xmas red and white cap I brought for him for 6 months, teaching all of us that nothing is ever small especially when it comes from a child

When Donnel my second son, and also one of your great grand sons also arrived, you still carry him on your lovely chest, and said " Chop chop Number 2", then you call the Fon of Akum your loving husband to bring meat and fowl and you personally went to the market and bought a bunch of plaintain, ibo cocoyams, and a big pot, telling the whole Nkwen market that you have had another "chop chop".

Mami, You did thought all of us your grand children not to ever wait for the storm to pass, but to learn how to dance in the rain. Definitely, this rain has been our own shower of blessings. When we look forward, we see you. When we look behind, we still see you. You are omnipresent Ma.               Your legacy will live on and this might be the end of your path, but the begining of a new, wider and everlasting avenue, fill with joy and perfect peace.     

                      Your loving Ayamz Boy alias "Chop Chop"

MA NDIKUM ESTHER WAS A LEGEND IN HER ROLE PLAY  IN THEIR CWF NTAGHEM  DRAMA CLUB. THAT WAS AROUND THE YEAR 1990.SHE PLAYED THE ROLE OF THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS  y’de. a woman came for help from b’da.mami said ‘’u bring wetti bamenda patiti, nyamiss, cabiss  u bring wetti?  ‘’ CLERK You go take he ehh for room 117 high ways bamenda; take he for that room’’  the papers were not ready so mami said ‘’c’est quoi le dossiers c’est quoi’’

        Her second role,  she got inspiration from her husband. Played the role of ‘mbeh’  ‘’mbeh I don come, councellor musa you don come? Yes mbeh I don come. Na some poor widow weh ei man be don die

My loving and departed mother-in-law, "Big Mami" as our children, your loving grandsons used to call you, yours was a life of sacrifice not only for your direct biological children, but for the host of family children you brought up during those many years in Bamenda Up Station and in Mile 2, Nkwen. For the 28 years I knew you since meeting and getting married to your lovely daughter Margaret, I saw in you a wonderful and caring mother, who even though beset by the challenges of long term ill-health, was always so concerned about the future of every of your children, grand children or great grandchildren.

You may not have enjoyed from your children and "moyos" much of these material and passing pleasures of this earthly life, which are the rights of a deserving mother like you were, because that was never your priority or temperament. With all this in mind, I am convinced that the Good Lord has only called you for a deserved rest by His side for eternity. Go then in the perfect peace of the Lord and like the saint that you were by your nature, ask that a place be prepared for your loved ones in our Father's house where there are many mansions. Let the words of John 11: vs25,26 accompany you: "I am the resurrection and the life......."

You were deeply loved and will remain in our ever green memory.

Your "Good Moyo" as you so fondly called me,

AKO MENGOT

            After flying across land, sea and ocean and finally arriving the US on December 29th, I got up the next morning only to have someone announce to me the shocking news of the passing on to eternity of my dear mum. I screamed in  utter disbelief, I cried, wailed and decided to cancel my mission and go back to Cameroon. As I searched desperately for my return ticket,my eyes fell on mama’s handwriting and it was one of her old letters to me. Surprised why of all other letters only this particular one found itself among my travel documents.I decided to open it and it read thus: “My dear Dr. Margy Mengot, I have to thank you very much for your kindness in providing for my drugs despite their high cost. This goes to portray that, if life was to be bought when one dies, you will buy mine. God shall reward you abundantly. It also read: “ Herewith 5.000 frs for breakfast biscuits for Elton and Tabiwang in their school”.

            As I read through the letter in the presence of all in the house I suddenly started feeling a wave of comfort and courage going through me.I said to myself, no more crying, no more tears of sorrow but tears of joy because the word of God says,” Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted” and that in every situation we must give thanks. So I thank the lord almighty for rewarding mama with long life, outliving all her neighbours and building her an empire of four children, 15 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

            She has set her feet on higher ground because as a CWF founding mother she served the lord with joy till the end.I remember the writings on one of our enlarged pictures which read,” I shall go through this world only once, so whatever good I can do, I should do it now because I shall not go through this world again”, indeed mama you did your best so Adieu my dear mum and “Queen”, God shall continue to reward you abundantly in his heavenly abode.

                                    Your daughter, Dr. Mrs. Margy Mengot

Ma it is OK to go when your father calls. It is especially OK when you know you are going to rest in eternity. You worked tirelessly to sow good seeds no matter how small, the fact is that those seeds produced big harvests.I count myself as your harvest. Your son Enow Manasseh exemplified by shearing the wonderful work you did in raising him to the man that he is: In fact he touched the lives of his friends in a very special way.

Mama as you are leaving for this journey, remember that you have left us in tears with a vacuum in our hearts that will never be filled. Of-course we know that you will not forget to tell your father in heaven to prepare us a place as we all are destined to follow you soon. Mama we will continue to sing and pray that you have a safe journey.

Bye-bye 

Thursday, Jan 26th 2012;

6:00pm: Wake service without corpse at Mile 2 Nkwen, Bamenda

8:00pm: Wake keeping and animations

Friday, Jan 27th 2012;

7:30am: Removal of corpse at Akum mortuary

9:00am: Brief stop at family residence at Mile 2 Nkwen,

10:00am: Departure to Mamfe, brief stop at B'Abang Road family residence and wake keeping in Besongabang-Mkpot residence.

Saturday, Jan 28th 2012;

9:00am: Church service at PC Besongabang

11:00am: Burial at Besongabang, Mkpot residence

Sunday 29th and Monday 30th Jan. 2012; Traditional celebrations in Besongabang.

Friday 3rd & Saturday 4th Feb 2012; Funeral/traditional celebrations at the Fon of Akum's palace, Akum-Bamenda.

MADAME AS MOST PEOPLE KNOW MAMI NDIKUM, YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN MY HERO AND MY STRENGTH, YOU HAVE ACHEIVED ALOT ON THIS EARTH....SEEING YOUR KIDS GROW TO HAVE THEIR OWN CHILDREN,AND EVEN SEEING THOSE GRAND CHILDREN HAVE YOUR GREAT GRAND KIDS.......THUMBS UP.....THIS IS WHAT I CALL ACHEIVEMENT.  I WILL FOREVER SAY THANK YOU ENDLESSLY. YOU TAUGHT ME ALL I KNOW, HOW TO BE A WOMAN. I WILL NEVER FORGET WHEN YOU VISITED ME IN THE UNITED STATES JUST TO SEE YOUR GRAND DAUGTHER NEHMAFOR...MAYA YOU CALLED HER.

MAMI YOU SAID, "I CAN DIE A HAPPY WOMAN" BECAUSE YOU LIVED TO SEE MY CHILD. MAMI YOU TOLD ME HOW PROUD YOU WERE.....I SAID THANKS TO YOU FOR HAVING FAITH I ME.

MAMI, YOUR LEGACY WILL LIVE FOR EVER, THE LIVES YOU TOUCHED HAVE BLESSED YOU TO LIVE THIS LONG.  MANY DEPENDED ON YOU BUT YOU ALWAYS CAME THROUGH, YOU HAVE BEEN A ROCK TO US AND YOUR FAMILY, I WANT TO MAKE A PROMISE TO YOU "I WILL TAKE CARE OF YOUR HUSBAND HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS FON G.N. NDIKUM".

A CANDLE WILL BE LIT IN YOUR MEMORY ALWAYS.  I LOVE YOU MOM.

MAY YOUR DEPARTED SOULD REST IN PERFECT PEACE UNTILL WE MEET AGAIN***************************************JANGJANG