Thursday, Sept. 25
Fongo-Ndeng, Cameroon
UPDATE: Wow! I have such generous family, friends and readers. All the kids are covered! Thank you all for your help. I can’t wait to see their faces when I give them the news… Of course I’ll write about it here on the blog.
In the meantime, don’t miss out on reading more about the family in the three posts below this one.
To start the school year in Fongo-Ndeng, a child needs only a uniform, which costs the equivalent of $13, and a notebook.
But the glee of learning in a classroom — yes, for these kids it’s glee, because they don’t take school for granted — lasts only about a month. Come October 9, students who haven’t paid their annual tuition are no longer allowed in class.
Those kids stay home and spend the year gathering firewood, cultivating in the fields and hoping that there will be enough money for them to go to school the following year. Because once a child misses two years of school, it’s unlikely she’ll ever return.
In years past, the Ndi Wamba family hasn’t had to worry about school fees, which vary according to class, because Father’s pension covered them.
But this year is different. Not only does the family lack his financial support, they also have more school-age kids than ever before. Two of the four mothers have four tuitions they hope to pay.
So when I showed up in Fongo-Ndeng, one year after Father died, right around the time when school fees are due, the family saw me as a gift from God. They knew I would help in whatever way I could.
I set their expectations low, telling them I would return next week with money to pay for several of the kids.
But what I’d really like to do is pay for all of them. It sounds like an excessive gift, but it’s school.
Everyone should get to go to school. We all did. Now I realize how lucky I was to have a free primary and secondary education, plus parents who could afford to buy me textbooks.
Anybody want to sponsor a child or teenager and send them to school this year? This is a great way to give because:
* You know exactly where the money is going and how it will be spent. I’ll pay the schools in person next week.
* What may be a small sum of money to you makes a huge difference for this family.
* I’ll make it easy for you. All you have to do is let me know which child you want to help and send a check to my parents in the States. They’ll deposit the money, and I’ll withdraw it from here.
* These are good kids. They want to learn.
I’ll travel to a big city on Sunday to visit an ATM, so we’ve got to work fast.
Here’s a list of the Ndi Wamba kids (including grandkids that live on the compound — you wouldn’t know the difference) and their fees for this year:
Regine, 21 years old, (female). When it pours, she dances on her porch!
Needs tuition and some books. $90. Sponsored.
Lidi, 18 years old (female). Looks after her ill mother.
Needs tuition and one book. $60. Sponsored.
Janvier, 13 years old (male). I wish I had the energy of this kid.
Needs tuition. $43. Sponsored.
Jean #1, 21 years old (male). So tall he towers above the rest.
Needs tuition and two books. $90. Sponsored.
Syvlian, 18 years old (male). Loves learning English.
Needs books. They’re expensive because he’s in an upper grade. $50. Sponsored.
Jean #2, 20 years old (male). Expects to graduate high school this year.
Needs tuition and books. $130. Sponsored.
Benoit, 23 years old (male). First-year university student.
Only needs tuition for now. $115. Sponsored.
Stephon, 8 years old (male). First year of school!
Needs tuition. $25. Sponsored.
Deuplace, 12 years old (male). The little guy asked me himself for the fee.
Needs tuition. $25. Sponsored.
Natalie, 15 years old (female). She’s all paid up! Lucky girl.
Maurice, 20 years old (male). Secretly my favorite.
Needs tuition and books. $115. Sponsored.
Blanche, 13 years old (female). Such a sweetheart.
Needs tuition and books. $67. Sponsored.
Mirabelle, 18 years old (female). Talks so fast I can’t understand her.
Needs tuition and books. $90. Sponsored.
Vicki, 9 years old (female). Followed me around like a puppy.
Needs tuition. $15. Sponsored.
Canes, 16 years old (male). This is one smart kid. He tutors the others.
Needs tuition and books. $80. Sponsored.
Crestell, 15 years old (female). Came to me for help with English.
Needs tuition and a book. $58. Sponsored.
Franklen, 12 years old (male). A quiet one.
Needs tuition. $48. Sponsored.
Djoe, 17 years old (male). Don’t know him as well.
Needs tuition. $48. Sponsored.
Wow. Now see why this is so overwhelming? The fees aren’t much individually, but they add up. 18 kids in all.
Let’s make sure they learn this year.
October 1, 2008 at 9:12 pm
I pick Mirabelle. Pretty name. Reminds me of me.
I’ll send the check ASAP.
Who paid Natalie’s tuition?
October 1, 2008 at 9:33 pm
I pick Lidi and Stephon. I’ll get directions on what to do now from Jenna. 🙂 Good luck!
October 1, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Marty and I wish to sponsor the young ones:
Vicki (9), Stephon (8), Deuplace (12) and Franklen (12). I’ll send the check to your mom and dad tomorrow AM! Nice job, Lexi!
October 1, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Happy to send along $ for Vicki and Stephon 🙂 Wish them a good school year for me!
October 1, 2008 at 9:45 pm
oooh aunt donna thought the same way!
I’ll do Janvier instead!!!!!!! 🙂
October 2, 2008 at 1:37 am
Lexi,
Derek and I are sending $90, for the fund.
You have a great heart.
Love us
October 2, 2008 at 7:23 am
You are all awesome! Thanks for helping! Let’s keep it rolling…
Others who have been sponsored already…
Regine
Jean #1 (AJ and Derek)
October 2, 2008 at 8:33 am
I usually donate to world vision but this is even better since I know it will all go to this family. What’s your parents address? Ill ask K&J if they know it. My email is L17Ally@yahoo.com
-Ally
October 2, 2008 at 9:08 am
Lexi,
I will be happy to support your favorite, Maurice. I will drop a check off at your parents today.
Rich
October 2, 2008 at 10:22 am
Hey Lexi – You’re amazing for doing this! I’d love to contribute half of Crestell’s tuition/book costs. Putting the check in the mail today.
Anyone else up for the other half???
October 2, 2008 at 10:27 am
Hi Lexi…how about I help out Jean #2, Sylvian and Benoit? I will write the check right now! Love you…
October 2, 2008 at 11:15 am
I’ll donate $200. Use it however you need to.
Just give me the address for your parents and I’ll put a check in the mail.
This is a great thing you are doing for this family.
October 2, 2008 at 11:29 am
It looks like it may be easier for you to figure out if I just pick students. If that’s the case, I’ll take care of Jean #2 and Benoit and send a check for $245.
If they need anything else, don’t hesitate to ask.
October 2, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Such a wonderful thing to do for these kids Lexi–we are happy to help! We’ll sponsor Djoe and Canes and we’ll get the check to your Dad right away.
Safe travels!
October 2, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Grandma wants to help out too! She’s chosen Lidi. I’m dropping off her check and Marty’s and mine to your mom at work today! I’m lovin’ the response!!!This is wonderful!
October 2, 2008 at 3:29 pm
One more entry – add $25.00 from Matt!
October 2, 2008 at 8:21 pm
SO happy all their costs have been covered!
October 3, 2008 at 2:51 am
Thanks so much, everyone! Today I’m facing the task of actually transferring the money… More on that to come. Whoohooo!
October 3, 2008 at 1:49 pm
oh, and jenna, to answer your question on who paid natalie and sylvian’s tuition… it was their moms.
October 5, 2008 at 10:27 am
Lexi –
If they’ve all been sponsored is there something else we can do? I hope you’re well!
Lins
November 4, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Hello, i just saw this blog today and so i don’t know if you are still trying to help this family.If you are still involved in wonderful endeavour please reply and let me know how i can make a contribution.
July 16, 2009 at 9:33 am
Total = $1,150.