If I only knew that your time on earth is nearing to its end, I may have given more weight to a project that had brought us together.
Until that gathering in Washington DC, when you came to install the first Mbog Liaa Team, I did not know who you were, I was not aware of the tremendous work you were doing for the Basaa, Bati, M’Poo Community, I did not even know that you had a vision for your, our people and in fact I was not familiar with your jokes, your dance moves and your very warm approach of life. But after attending the conference that morning in Gaithersburg, MD, you gave me enough arguments to be hopeful for what all of us could do as One People, if only we were willing to put our unproductive pride, unnecessary bickering and cheap "low blows" aside, if we could definitively bury long standing “wars”. I was drawn by your quick thinking, pragmatic and visionary attitude.
After attending a late lunch in your honor that same day, I approached you knowing that you would not have enough time to listen to an unfamiliar voice with a crazy idea: but I was stunned by the level of attention that you gave to my project: you were so excited about the prospect of collaborating that you spontaneously scheduled a meeting with one of our partners who was already in Cameroon. You were willing to allow the use of your private compound in your village, Malmiang. Even though we have not accomplished what we may have been both interested in, you made me understand how one positive encounter has the power of changing one’s worldview: thanks to that exchange, I have been encouraged to believe in my idea and to countless ideas as well.
You were a smart man with a soft voice, you were a family guy who opened his hearts, his home, his life to others; we danced with you, we stepped on you, we sat close to you, rubbing our lipsticks and fond de teint on your remarkable and well put-together suits, you even challenged us to see how good of dancers we could be, your balle-a-terre was unbeatable, I feel so sorry that I was shy to the point of not showing my best dance moves, yes, I was laid back around you because I knew what a big man you were and the privilege we had to share your space made me even more grateful of your availability. I did not dare to ask for a selfie, it did not matter to me because you have given us more that I could ever imagine: your leitmotif was “aimez-vous, ou à défaut, ne vous haïssez pas”.
I thank you for being in our lives in so many ways, and I thank you for teaching our community that we can love, share, respect and encourage one another.
To your beautiful wife Mme Sarah Minlend, I say thank you for sharing your beloved husband with strangers that we were. May the Almighty surround her and your children with his loving wings.
Big brother, President, we will miss you, but your impact will not fade away because the truth is that “the influence of a great teacher can not be erased”.
Rest In Peace Big Brother, our remarkable leader, Jérôme Minlend!
Valérie Wehiong-Batta, The Triangle, NC - USA