Last Christmas I was able to give, from the gifts and money you sent, Christmas presents to orphans and poor families who could not afford to do anything for Christmas.
This year, again I stayed in Bangou, but since my role here is in terms of development, AADB instead donated a generator to the Chief.
This Chief, as I’ve written before is the traditional leader and ruler of the village. He doesn’t really own anything, but instead it is all given by the village. So the house he lives in, the car he drives and the field he cultivates, was all given by people from his village.
One of the Chief’s roles is one of guardian to tradition and culture. One of the ways he does this is by receiving visitors at the palace and telling them about Bangou and making them feel welcome.
Since we are in Cameroon, often, when the Chief hosting visitors and it is already dark, the lights will go out and they’ll have to sit in the dark or candle light until the lights come back on, which sometimes can take the whole night. This puts a damper on the reception and often ends it early.
But starting 2009, the Chief will be able to host people and meetings at the Chefferie without worrying about having light because the generous donation of AADB.
From the Chief, a “Grand Merci!” to everyone involved with AADB.
As a thanks, he also wants me to mention that any of my friends and family that comes to Bangou for the Cultural Festival on April 4th to represent AADB will receive a title of nobility, along with me.
Pretty cool incentive to come I think, so start planning the trip!


January 21, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Well, I can see that you also wore your OBAMA t-shirt. As you saw, I took it to Panama with me. I was very proud of wearing it everywhere I went, not that I did… it is too hot and humid in Panama… haha!. Although, some people where confused about the “french” wording.
I have not been home in a long time. When I left the States, as you, as well, we had a Bush as Le President… now we have an OBAMA… an OBAMA is unbelievebale… at least for some people.
I’d do almost anything to get one of those nobility title… I know, it is presumptuous and even outdated and nobody (in USA and other countries) give a damn about them but, still… I think it will be so cool to say ‘Sire Angel Velarde’ is here… and then tell everybody that you really are a nobel and how you’ve got it.
Cuidate… Chao
January 29, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Dad, you already have the wardrobe. That blue shirt thing that Chief sent you can only be worn by nobles in the West province. Its just not normal for a son to get a title and his dad not have one, since its from you that i became such an amazing person of course!
They have a very traditional culture here and if you came you would be treated like a king, so you’re my dad, and I’m treated like a prince. It would be a pretty cool experience. When else could you get a title and a guided tour of Cameroon.
January 30, 2009 at 4:09 pm
I am dying to go… I have to check it out though… Things are changing rapidly (for the worse, unfortunatelly), we still doing good but you never know. The OBAMA effect hasn’t kick in yet, or has it?.
At this point, I am not sure if you are an amazing son because you have an amazing father or is it the other way around. Further more, who was “amazing” first?… You or me?… haha!!!… Don’t you love our humbleness!!
Nevertheless, if one of us deserve that title, that is YOU… certainly not me….
….(but, I will take it anyway… haha)