just news...

A loved one leaves us.

2007-08-02T08:28:00.000-07:00

We apologize for the belated nature of this important news.

The passing of Mr Emmanuel Toche is sadly announced. A Cameroonian Baha'i who moved to the US a few years ago, Mr. Toche passed away on June 12th in a car accident. He was a resident of Silver Spring, Maryland and leaves behind a wife and five children.

Our hearts go out to the bereaved family and prayers are requested for this dear friend and his wonderful family.

Emmanuel Toche

At a 19 Day feast with his community

An Extract from a local newspaper:

THE WASHINGTON POST

Board Honors Driver Killed in Crash

...The board also honored the service of Emmanuel Toche, a MetroAccess driver who was killed June 12 on the Capital Beltway when he hit the back of a tow truck that was making an illegal U-turn. The truck driver fled the scene.
Toche was married and had five children. Earlier that day, one of his clients had written to Metro commending him for returning a lost wallet.

From Dreams to Reality

2007-07-26T12:19:00.000-07:00

More from Yaounde. These are extracts from the latest edition of "From Dreams To reality" shwoing very recent progress of the work at the National Center, for a copy of the newsletter email a request to zionside@gmail.com.

Limbe Information center

2007-07-25T09:32:00.001-07:00

Recent pictures from the new information center in Limbe:

National Center progress

2007-07-25T09:10:00.000-07:00

These pictures, taken over a month ago, show the extensive tiling work on the building, check in next week for even more recent pictures showing the amazing progress of the this beautiful structure.

Update from some clusters

2007-07-24T16:36:00.000-07:00

Special thanks to Natalie for the information:

Batouri:

Douala:

Mamfe-Ejagham:

Ngokenunjia:

Yaounde Cluster reflection meeting

2007-05-22T08:48:00.000-07:00

This report was sent in from the Yaounde Cluster on their reflection meeting which took place on May 6th 2007.

La réunion a rassemblé au total 72 amis venus de les 8 communautés du groupement (un nouvel arrondissement, Yaoundé 7, ayant été créé en avril par décret présidentiel), parmi lesquels l’on a dénombré 9 enfants, 1 pré-jeune, 11 jeunes et 48 adultes (32 hommes et 16 femmes) et 3 sympathisants.

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Après une étude de « Réflexion sur la Croissance n°15 » (les programmes intensifs de croissance) et du message de Ridvan 2007 qui ont permis aux uns et aux autres de comprendre et de prendre conscience qu’il était temps de passer aux actes. Les amis se sont avec un enthousiasme jamais observé, engagés dans la planification en ateliers (organisés par communauté) de leurs actions dans le projet programmé dans une zone réceptive (Mvog-Betsi à Yaoundé VI), une caractéristique du plan du 7e cycle, et dans leurs localités respectives. L’enthousiasme des amis s’est aussi manifesté par une contribution faite pour l’exécution du plan d’un montant de 27.150 F

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Les interventions du membre du Corps Continental des Conseillers, Mr Tiati à Zock, présent à cette réunion, ont permis aux amis de rester focalisés sur les objectifs du Plan de Cinq Ans et de comprendre la nécessité de s’engager activement et intensément dans l’exécution du plan si l’on veut réellement qu’il y ait croissance dans le groupement.

A summary of the pyramid and core activities as of that day

Elaborate plans were drawn up for an intensive teaching at Mvog-Betsi, also, plans were made to expand the pyramid and core activities.

For a copy of the report, send a request to zionside@gmail.com

...just a peek

2007-05-17T14:58:00.000-07:00

This shot of the interior of the National Centre shows the progress of the internal finishing. Here, the chief carpenter, Mr. Henry is working on door panels.

First Meeting of the National Spiritual Assembly

2007-05-15T13:54:00.000-07:00

The members of the newly elected National Spiritual Assembly gathered in Yaounde over the weekend of 12th and 13th May for their first meeting and were joined by Counsellor Tiati a Zock for consultations.

They are seen here at the Local Baha'i Centre in Yaounde I

Our hearts and prayers go out to the dearly loved institution as we enter the second year of the 5 year Plan under their loving guidance

More from the National Convention

2007-05-08T08:03:00.000-07:00

Please enjoy this last set of Photos that were taken at the National Convention in Limbe.
Of the 57 delegates that were elected, 48 were present and 3 absentee ballots were sent it, giving a record total of 51 votes.

In addition, there were 66 visitors from all provinces except the North and Adamoua

the

the

Some of the Ladies with counsellor Agatha Nketsiah

the

the
...and with some of the delegates from the East and South West

the
Other Pictures of the friends

Higher resolution copies of the pictures are available on request. zionside@gmail.com

...from the National Convention

2007-04-30T14:56:00.000-07:00

The National Convention took place succesfully in Limbe from Thursday April 26th to Sunday April 29th. Details on the convention will be made available as they come in, for now, enjoy the pictures of the friends gathered there, of note was the representative of the Continental Board of Counsellors, Mrs. Agatha from Ghana.

Counsellor Agatha is seen here seated (Center) with Mr. Akuri (left) and Mr. Gillette (right) Mr. Alain Djoulde is standing

Auxiliary Board member, Helen Otia addresses the friends

Counsellor Agatha (right)

The delegates and some visitors gather for a group picture

There was plenty of entertainment, seen here is Moses Tanyi

A group from the Douala Community

Pa Awoh (right) accompanied, ably, by Mr. John Akuri (left)

and of course, the Kitchen

More information and pictures will be posted in the week.

More Ridvan news

2007-04-26T08:23:00.000-07:00

The local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Bafoussam was elected successfully. In attendance were 6 adults, 1 youth, and 6 children who recited Baha'i prayers in English and French. The election of the officers of the Assembly has been slated for the week after the National Convention.

In other heart-warming news, the communities of Maroua, Eblowa, Goufan (near Bafia), and Tiko/Likomba, which had fialed to elect their assemblies last year, did so successfully.

Our prayers go out to those devoted souls who will serve on these institutions for the coming year

from Buea...

2007-04-26T08:18:00.000-07:00

The dearly loved members of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Buea gather for their first meeting at the Center of learning.

Happy Ridvan!!

2007-04-24T11:35:00.000-07:00

The reports of the elections of Local spiritual Assemblies will be made available as the news comes in. As of now, the report from Buea indicates that the Local Spiritual Assembly was successfully and the members are:

Dibo Teku, Bartholomew Mokuh, Fariba Frooghi, Stella Fuh, Steven Tamanji, Kamran Frooghi, Alemnge Fidelis, Kueko Angilbert and Arrah Emmanuel.

From Dreams to reality Volume 6

2007-04-17T14:19:00.000-07:00

The monthly newslettre for the construction of the National centre is out for April. email a request to zionside@gmail.com, or leave a comment on this post to request a complete copy.

The financial report

The retaining wall can be seen here, at the back and left of the main structure.

Graduation at the University of Buea

2007-04-17T08:25:00.000-07:00

The Graduation ceremony at UB on Saturday April 14th saw a number of Baha'i students who had competed their studies. Amongst them were,

Martha Agbor (center), With a Masters Degree in Women and Gender studies,

seen here with her parents

Pauline A. Djoko (Centre) Bachelors in Economics,

seen here with her mother (left) and Mrs. Frooghi

The National Center rises

2007-04-05T12:16:00.000-07:00

The building is now ready for the roof

The second deck before concreting

Happy Naw Ruz

2007-04-05T11:58:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of the Naw Ruz Celebrations in Buea, one of the highlights of which was a skit from the junior youth group.

The choir

Great Soppo Teaching Team

And of course, the food...

Isaac Oben Weds!

2007-03-05T17:17:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures from the wedding ceremony of Isaac and Ellie Oben

Baha'i University Club visits School for the Deaf

2007-03-01T15:34:00.000-08:00

On sunday 25th of February, The University of Buea Baha'i Students Club visited the Buea School For the Deaf located in Bomaka. This was done as part of the community's Ayamiha Celebrations.

13 Club members and two visitors were part of the team that presented a bag of rice and some tin tomatoe. Also, one of the club members preprared some posters with quotations from the Baha'i writings for the school. Kully Jupiter gave a talk on behalf of the Club on the importance of acquiring knowledge. The staff and students responded very positively to the visit and expressed their gratitude to the Club.

The Buea School for the Deaf is a privately run institution with students mainly from the South West province, however, there are some students from other areas. Though Special education is generally neglected, the school is making an effort to have their students get the benefits of education inspite of heavy financial and infrastructural shortages.

Members of the UB Baha'i students club who made the visit

Posters with Baha'i writings which were presented to the school

Achiri Tangu (to the left) explains the quotations from Baha'i writings

Jupiter gives a talk on education

One of the volunteers at the school (in pink) translates for the students

The Children show their appreciation by applauding

With the students...

With the staff

"The Lord's Prayer"

2007-02-24T22:59:00.000-08:00

Listen to "The Lord's Prayer" Performed by Helen Otia!!! This song is from her first ever album "A love from Mount Carmel", By Aunty Helen. The album was released in 2006 and has 10 tracks and is availble for sale upon request.

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www.myspace.com/bahaisingers

Email a request to zionside@gmail.com to purchase a copy of the entire album.

If interested, email zionside@gmail.com to post your music on the site. Also, contact for more information on advertising your music and selling it through the site. All music posted is done so with permission from the artist and/or producer.

Tragic news....a loved one is lost

2007-02-20T21:35:00.000-08:00

It is with heavy hearts that the passing of Mme. Juliene Behalal is announced. This handmaiden of the Cause had been ill for a while and had been in France for treatment. News of her passing came on the 19th February.

We extend our hearfelt condolences to the family and request payers on her behalf as she journeys through the Beauty of the Abha Kingdom.

2007-02-19T10:04:00.000-08:00

The construction project of the Information Centre in Limbe is moving along smoothly, with the roofing completed and the work is now focused on finishing the building.

Here is a summary account of the project:

Income:
Compensation received from the Government. = 9,980,800 CFA.
Bank interest. = 189,000 CFA.
Contribution from Limbe community. = 439,494 CFA.
TOTAL INCOME = 10,609,294 CFA.

TOTAL EXPENSE =10,173,370 CFA.

BALANCE IN HAND = 435,924 CFA.

To complete the project, there is a need for an additional sum of 3,341,000 CFA (This does not include SONEL and SNEC meters as the amount is not yet known). Also furniture for the building is not included.

Baha'i Representative meets with SW Governor's Wife

2007-02-11T15:10:00.000-08:00

The Baha'i community was invited by the wife of the Governor of the South West Province and was represented Mrs. Fariba Frooghi. Several Groups were invited as the Province's first lady was recieving greetings after recovering from illness.

Here, Mrs. Frooghi (left) is seen with the Governor's wife (Centre) and the Provincal Delegate for Women's affairs (right)

5th Cycle of growth in the Yaounde-Soa Cluster

2007-02-05T20:47:00.000-08:00

The cluster reflection meeting for the Yaounde-Soa cluster took place on January 7th, with 61 participants. The reflection meeting served to consult on the successes and challenges faced during the 5th cycle of growth as well as to discuss strategies to unlock the massive potentials of the cluster. The reflection was graced with the guidance of Counsellor Tiati a Zock

The 5th cycle of growth had been launched in September with the intensive teaching phase lasting two weeks followed by three months of consolidation. It was noted that the participation during the intensive phase was lower than usual. However, more than 50 firesides were held in 9 locations and 21 home visits were made to over 17 seekers and 4 newly declared Baha'is.

One of the accomplishments of the consolidation phase was restarting children's classes and juniour youth clubs that had stopped over the holidays. The statistics at the end of the cycle stood as follows:

Study Circles : 25
30 Baha’is and 51 seekers

Juniour Youth clubs : 7
10 Baha’is and 110 seekers

Children classes : 29
31 Baha’is and 160 seekers

Devotional gatherings : 8
28 Baha’is and 14 seekers

The next reflection meeting was slated for 18th April 2007

From the National Centre

2007-01-29T14:20:00.000-08:00

The work at NBC project is progressing very well. Preparation is in progress to prepare the slab of the second floor (the last floor). It is hoped that the concrete of the second floor slab will be poured on the 10th Feb. Work on the massive retaining wall has also started.

The foreman, Mr. Henock, giving instructions to the workers

Mr. Henock accompanied by Mr. Frooghi on the site

Success at the World Religion Day

2007-01-23T10:07:00.000-08:00

For the past couple of years, the Baha'i community of Buea has celebrated World religion day by organising an interfaith discussion, this was done this year to great success. A total of 98 people were present, 48 of which were not Baha'is.

The guest speakers were: (from the left) Mr. Yuh Laban (a Hindu), Rev. father, secretary of Bishop of Buea Dioces, Imam of Buea (Representing the Muslim community), and Ms. Stella Fuh (from the Baha'i community).

A diverse devotional programme was featured, here, a prayer is being read by a member of the muslim community.

The Baha'i Choir providing entertainment

Some pictures of the audience

More music from Aunty Helen

2007-01-21T14:11:00.000-08:00

Another song is available for your listening pleaseure on Cameroon Baha'i Music Online. It is entitled "Voices through the night" from Helen Otia's debut album "A love from Mount Carmel". Enjoy...

www.myspace.com/bahaisingers

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Email a request to zionside@gmail.com to purchase a copy of the entire album.

If interested, email zionside@gmail.com to post your music on the site. Also, contact for more information on advertising your music and selling it through the site. All music posted is done so with permission from the artist and/or producer.

Fantastic progress!!!

2007-01-20T02:55:00.000-08:00

Enjoy these pcitures taken on January 19th 2007, showing the progess of the work on the Information centre in Limbe.

A love from Mount Carmel - Helen Otia

2007-01-17T22:49:00.000-08:00

A new song is now available on the website for Cameroon Baha'i artists. This one is entitled "This is the Day" Performed by Helen Otia!!! This song is from her first ever album "A love from Mount Carmel", By Aunty Helen. The album was released in 2006 and has 10 tracks and is availble for sale upon request.

www.myspace.com/bahaisingers
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Email a request to zionside@gmail.com to purchase a copy of the entire album.

Intensive institute campaign in Bamenda cluster

2007-01-16T10:51:00.000-08:00

An update from the Bamenda cluster where an institute campaign enabled three people complete book 1 in Bamenda (two from those who just declared in December), two people complete book 1 from Bambui, three complete book 2, three complete book 5 and four complete book 7 (2 from Bambui and 2 from Bamenda).

The cluster is also organising a reflection meeting for teachers of children's classes.

....a flash from the past

2007-01-12T23:51:00.000-08:00

From the archives of the Baha'i university club in Buea, you can see the club members in 2000, gathered on the land that is now the Centre of learning. And though many of those in the pictures are now scattered throughout the country and abroad, their remarkable spirit lingers in the stones on that piece of earth. our thanks and gratitude for their efforts.....

Back row, from left to right: Eno Tabi Mbu-oben, Mbeng "Barrista" Frederick, Simon "simono" Ngembu, Tanyi "big boy" Tambe, Robert Dolier, Yela, Elias, Divine Kamgani "Divin"

Front row, from left to right: Martha Agbor, Jacky "ambe" Ashu, Tahirih Tanyi, Linda Ngomesia, Sahar Frooghi.

Below you can see a picture of that very site as it is now...

Cluster reflection meeting in Bamenda

2007-01-10T10:57:00.000-08:00

The reflection meeting of the Mezam cluster took place on the 3rd December at Baforkum-Bambui. A total of 27 friends attended from Bamenda, Bambui, and Mile 4 Nkwen. The Auxiliary Board member for the cluster, Mrs. Constance Tangu was present.

Reports from the cluster, showing the situation back in August and current statistics were presented.

Study Circles

The statistics for August and December

Children's Classes

Devotional Gatherings

Pyramid of Human Resources

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With a short break after the presentations, a 45 minutes/1 hour deepening was done on the theme “My Role I the Five Year Plan – God’s Plan”, which was the theme of this reflection meting. Passages anchored on individual teaching efforts and the recompense of this meritorious act of service. For example, “…every believer, be you man, woman, youth or child, is summoned to the field of action…”; “…all must participate, however humble their origin, however limited their experience, however restricted their means, however deficient their education…” The study closed with a message from the House addressed to one youth conference regarding participation in global plans. “…the Five Year plan, which will undoubtedly be the focus of your consultations over the next few days, requires concentrated and sustained attention to two essential movements. The first is the steady flow of believers through the sequence of courses offered by the training institutes…”

This special selection was meant to raise the awareness of the friends, ignite enthusiasm and encourage them to be part of the institute campaign beginning 21 December 2006given that the focus of this cluster at this time is to raise the human resource required to move it to cluster “A” where it can start off with and Intensive Programme of growth.

For a complete copy of the reflection report, email a request to zionside@gmail.com

Update on construction in Limbe

2007-01-07T22:30:00.000-08:00

The work moves ahead in the seed of the Faith in Cameroon, as these pictures show. The managment also prepared a document on the project which was sent to the Universal House of Justice. You can get your copy of the entire document by emailing a request to zionside@gmail.com

The perspective views of the completed structure

The construction site as of 29th December 2006

The building plan

and of course, it all started with our dearly loved...

Prayers are requested for the amazing souls involved in the execution of this wonderful project. You are in our hearts...

Fako Cluster Reflection meeting

2007-01-04T16:37:00.000-08:00

The belated report of the reflection meeting for Fako is now available:

The cluster reflection meeting started at 9:20 am on Sunday 10th December 2006 at the National Training Facility (formerly National Centre) in Limbe. 52 friends attended the meeting from six communities – Muyuka, Buea, Mutengene, Likomba-tiko, Limbe and Ngeme/Mokundange.

Reports of the 7th cycle of growth included:

Core activities

Study circles and Devotional gatherings dropped in the last cycle, with small increases in Junior youth groups and Home visits.

Human resources

Baha'i Population

Other news

Administrative Structures: an administrative committee of 5 members was appointed in Likomba-Tiko. The committee met and elected its officials.

New Believers: 5 newly declared believers have been recorded in this cycle – Namely: - Ajeck Docas, Adem Alfred, Tangu Achiri, Mwangaza Mediki and Anyi Livinus

The following plans were made for the 8th Cycle of growth:

The reflection meeting ended with closing remarks from the Auxiliary Board Member, Helen Otia, with the next reflection slated for March.

Feel free to email a request to zionside@gmail.com for copies of the complete report as well as the plan for the next cycle.

Teaching project in Bambui

2007-01-03T14:38:00.000-08:00

From Bamenda, where an intensive teaching project ended in the nearby community, Bambui with three declarations since November. There are two resident tutors there now, Mr. and Mrs. Apiembo, along with others who have completed Book One. More information will be posted as it becomes available including the report of the December Bamenda cluster reflection meeting.

New edition of "From Dreams to Reality"

2006-12-31T23:45:00.000-08:00

The monthly newsletter for the construction of the national centre in Yaounde is now available. In it you will find a message from the project management, a summary of urgent financial needs, pictures detailing the progress of the work so far, and more. Email a request to zionside@gmail.com to get a copy of the newsletter. (mention "request for From Dreams to Reality" in the subject)

New Arrival!!!

2006-12-30T21:59:00.000-08:00

The Alemnge family has been blessed with another child. In the pictures you can see the new baby as well as Fidelis, his wife, and first daughter, Martha. (The name of the new baby is not yet known)

Cameroon Baha'i Music Online - NEW Song

2006-12-29T22:56:00.000-08:00

Listen to a new song on the website for Cameroon Baha'i artists. This one is entitled "The Sun has Risen" Performed by the Buea Baha'i Choir.

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www.myspace.com/bahaisingers
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If interested, email zionside@gmail.com to post your music on the site. Also, contact for more information on advertising your music and selling it through the site.

Construction of new Limbe Information Centre flies ahead!

2006-12-27T20:18:00.000-08:00

The new information centre in Limbe is beginging to take shape with the walls being erected. As you can see in the pictures, remarkable progress has been made.

Here you can see the foreman, Mr. Chi, to the Right, accompanied by Mr. Isaac Leh.

More pictures from the construction site...

Join a Yahoo Group for Cameroonian Baha'i Youth!

2006-12-24T22:59:00.000-08:00

"This Group is for all Cameroon Baha'i Youth as Well as Youth from other Countries who have visited Cameroon and feel they could be refered as such. Through this group we will be able to share information of the Faith as well as be able to live a communial life as though all are gathered in one Community, One home.

We Pray this might in it's own little way help us to Stay United even with the present complex nature of human migration now so beauteously scattering us apart. Hence the challenge of Unity In Diversity.

We can as well strengthen our personnal Bonds of Friendship on a ONE-ONE & ONE-MANY Basis by Posting & Reading Personnal & Group Messages, Uploading Personnal & Group Photos, Information Site Links and several other things that can keep us ever concerned to do something for our Common Community - cameroon."

To Visit this group, click on the link below:

http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=42879/*http://groups.yahoo.com/group/newage_cbygroup

REGIONAL CONVENTIONS UNDERWAY

2006-12-23T11:59:00.000-08:00

Reports from regional conventions are coming in and will be made available as more commuities send in their reports. So far, reports from 2 conventions have come in:

Douala:

The convention held on Sunday 17th December, the delegates for the Douala Convention are:

M. Janvier Babounda
M. Fono Theophile
M. Niaz Bushrui
Mme. Fono Marceline

Fako:

The convention held on the 17th as well, the delegates for Fako are:

Mr. Bartholomew Mokuh

Mr. ALexander Agbor
Mr. Isaac Leh
Ms. Stella Fuh
Mr. Kamran Frooghi

Here are some pcitures from the Fako regional convention

NEW song from Gustaff & "The Light Combo"

2006-12-21T11:47:00.000-08:00

Check out a new song on the website for Cameroon Baha'i artists. This one is entitled
"Beauty" Performed by Gustaff Besungu and "The Light Combo"

www.myspace.com/bahaisingers

If
If interested, email zionside@gmail.com to post your music on the site. Also, contact for more information on advertising your music and selling it through the site.

Update from the New Center in Limbe

2006-12-18T22:35:00.000-08:00

As reported previously, a new Baha'i centre is being constructed in Limbe on the plot of land purchased by Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga. Already a lot of progress has been made and the Baha'i Information Centre is begining to take shape. Enjoy the pictures...

STORIES WANTED!! - send your news

2006-12-17T22:14:00.000-08:00

Following from the moitvation to share news from the Cameroonian Baha'i community, a new initiative has been proposed....please take time to consider it and respond.

spon

The essential nature of individual initiative in stimulating the growth of the Faith is such a crucial element that it was thought that this site should serve as a means for the friends to share their personal experiences. No matter how small, these experiences, once shared, provide a model for others and give hope to those who aspire to serve the Faith even more.

spon

As such, you are all invited, from Maroua and Ebolowa, from Baba to Gari-Gomb0, from Kumba and Douala, Buea to Bamenda...even from moscow and london, from Haifa to Sydney, Los Angeles to Raleigh, from Nice to Johanesburg......wherever you are, please, you are wholeheartedly invited to share news of your activities, be it study circles or devotional gatherings, firesides or home visits or any other activity you are engaged in. We all want to hear your glad tidings and share in your joys, successes and challenges. Your stories are screaming to get out!!

spon

Email your news to zionside@gmail.com, if possible, describe your activity sharing how you started, what motivated you and what your vision is, as well as the succeses and challenges you have had. Pictures are highly welcome!!

spon

THANK YOU!!

NEW on Cameroon Baha'i Music Online

2006-12-15T23:11:00.000-08:00

Check out a new song on the website for Cameroon Baha'i artists. This one is entitled

"Children of the Half life" Performed by Nachidah Tchamegni

If
www.myspace.com/bahaisingers

If interested, email zionside@gmail.com to post your music on the site.
Also, contact for more information on advertising your music and selling it through the site.

Fako Cluster Reflection Meeting - December

2006-12-13T21:24:00.000-08:00

The Fako cluster had it reflection meeting on10th December in Limbe, the detial report is not yet available, however, some preliminary statistics from the cluster are available. More information on the reflection, reports and plans for the next cycle of growth will be posted as they become available.

Statistics on Core activities

no. of children's classes: 27
Attendance; 246

no. of junior youth groups: 15
Attendance: 208

no. of study cirlces: 22
Attendance: 56

Pyramid of resources for the cluster

book 1 = 130
book 2 = 97
book3 = 76
book 4 = 49
book 5 = 19
book 6 = 38
book 7= 31

NEW on Cameroon Baha'i Music Online

2006-12-12T10:54:00.000-08:00

Check out a new song on the website for Cameroon Baha'i artists. This one is entitled

"Village Nights" Performed by Gustaff Besungu and his band "The Light Combo"

www.myspace.com/bahaisingers
If
If interested, email zionside@gmail.com to post your music on the site.

Also, contact for more information on advertising your music and selling it through the site.

EXTRAODRINARY....from Limbe

2006-12-11T17:16:00.000-08:00

In an amazing development, the much-forgotten Local Baha'i Centre of Limbe will be ressurected. Limbe has housed the National Centre for many years, and for many Baha'is, especially younger ones, this was known to be the only centre in the town. However, the Hand of the Cause, Enoch Olinga, had purchased another piece of land for the purpose of a local centre with funds from the beloved Guardian.

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The land and building that had been erected by Mr. Olinga had been put out of use when the construction of a main road took up a portion of the land many years ago. Well, the good news is that it took that long for the National Spiritual Assembly for recieve compensation from the government for the land taken up by the road, and it has been decieded that the money will be used to build an information centre on the same land that the Hand of the Cause once lived. More details will be available on the structure to be raised on the land, but apparentyl it will be an information centre with limited lodgistics focused on teaching the Faith.

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The pictures from the site show the progress of the work. A fence has been completed around the land and work on the foundation is already underway. The foreman for the construction is Mr. Chi, who also worked on the Centre of Learning in Buea. Those who have seen his craftsmanship know the quality of work that is to be expected for the new information centre in Limbe.

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Cameroon Baha'i Music Online

2006-12-07T18:21:00.000-08:00

check out a new song on the website for cameroon Baha'i singers. This one is entitled "All regligions are one" Performed by Dibo Teku and Abbas Alex.

www.myspace.com/bahaisingers

If interested, email zionside@gmail.com to post your music on the site. Artist who post their songs on the site will also be able to sell their albums through the site.

University Of Buea Baha'i Students Club meets with the Local Spiritual Assembly

2006-12-07T16:24:00.000-08:00

The traditional annual meeting of the UB Baha'i Students club with the LSA of Buea took place in the midst of the current strike that has ground the university to a halt. Those gathered studied writings on "A two fold moral purpose: service and studies". This was followed by advice on registration procedures into the university.

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As usual, the meeting concluded with a comprehensive meal, Ndole in this case. Here are some pictures from the event.

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CHECK IT OUT!!! Cameroon Baha'i Music Online

2006-12-05T22:09:00.000-08:00

A experimental site has been set up to share music from cameroonian Baha'is. This site was created to share songs recorded by the Baha'is of Cameroon, from Choirs, groups and individual performers. The site hosts different songs over time from different artists or groups who give consent for their work to be posted online. Some of the recordings have been proffesionally done and mastered, while others may be demos, and others even may be simple non-studio recordings.

Over

Over time, as more of the friends are contacted, more music will be shared, for now, listen to some prayers recorded by the Buea Baha'i Choir in 2004. Go to www.myspace.com/bahaisingers

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Contact zionside@gmail.com if you would like to post your own music on the site

News and Plans from the Regional Baha'i Council for the Western Provinces

2006-12-05T07:41:00.000-08:00

UNIT CONVENTIONS

Buea Unit Convention – It is scheduled on the 17th December 2006.
Tombel Unit Convention – Mr. Noah Bang Wong and Mrs Arrah Roseline made a visit to Tombel and met Mr. Ngobe Japhet, the date is yet to be fixed.
Mamfe Unit Convention – They have chosen 17th December 2006 and all communities in the unit are informed of the date.
Kembong Unit Convention – Material are already dispatched and it may be done on the 17th December 2006.
Tinto Unit Convention – Material for this unit are already sent to them. It may be conducted on the 17th December 2006. The resource person is Oneke Mathew.
Bamenda Unit Convention – It is already scheduled for the 17th December 2006.

Also,

A Vision conference will take place In Ngoketunjia on the 10th December 2006 at the Bahá’í Centre in Baba 1.
The Next meeting of the Regional Bahá’í Council is on the 6th and 7th of January 2007 in Bamenda.

Plans for communities without Cluster Coordination Committees

(such as Tinto, Bafoussam, Nkambe, Kumbo, Dschang, Bongongo and Batibo.)

General objective: - to raise-up five tutors in each of these communities in four phases

The first phase (4 months) will start with a seminar, "Orientation for Investment and Service Opportunities", on the 21st January 2007 in Buea. The focus will be on raising Home Front pioneers for the localities mentioned, and will include Bahá’ís from the Western Provinces Region. The goal is to have a minimum of 10 friends complete book 3 and open up children classes in the targeted communities.

The second phase of this project will focus on training Junior Youth Animators using Ruhi Books 4 and 5. The estimated duration of this second phase of the project is 4 months.

The third phase will focus on the Training of teachers of the Faith using Ruhi Book 6. This phase will last for two months.

The fourth and final phase will be for the training of tutors. Ruhi Book 7 will be the main tool and the estimated duration is two months. These trained tutors will then expand the base of the pyramid.

New edition of "From Dream to Reality"

2006-12-04T09:02:00.000-08:00

The second issue of the newsletter "From Dream to reality", is now available. The Newsletter was started with the aim of updating the friends on the progress of the construction of the new National Center in Yaounde. Here are some highlights....

A computer generated model of the completed building

Some friends from the Yaounde-Soa cluster gathered at the construction site on 17th Spetember following a reflection meeting

FINANCIAL UPDATE

Total estimated cost of the project (building + land) = 110,596,415 CFA.

Income:
• Total received from the World Centre: = 66,531,896 CFA.
• Total received from individuals from abroad, individuals
from Cameroon, LSA’s, and communities in Cameroon: = 2,130,273 CFA.
TOTAL INCOME: = 68,662,169 CFA.

Expenses:
• Purchase of land, tax, notary, title deed, etc. = 13,821,678 CFA.
• Bank Charges = 11,480 CFA.
• Total expense on project as of November: (materials, labour, utilities, installation, building permit, etc.) = 9,542,505 CFA.
TOTAL EXPENSE: = 23,375,663 CFA.

BALANCE IN BANK: = 45,286,506 CFA.

ADDITIONAL AMOUNT NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT: = 41,934,246 CFA

All this and much more in the second edition of "From Dream to reality" email a request to zionside@gmail.com for the complete issue.

Details from Cluster Reflection Meeting in KUMBA, Nov 19th

2006-11-30T08:13:00.000-08:00

Thanks to our dear Acha Kingsley, we have details and a picture available from the cluster reflection meeting in Kumba. enjoy!!!!

The Meeting started at 9:55 am with devotion in the presence of 36 members. Among these were 6 members of the Regional Baha'i Council (R.B.C) for the western provinces and members of two localities in the cluster namely Kumba and Kombone. Mr. Noah Bang Wong made a welcome address on the behalf of the C.C.C, reports then followed:

Core activities as of November 19th

Study circles: 07

Participation: 20

Children’s Classes: 18

Participation: 224

Devotional Gatherings: 10

Participation: 73

Home Visits: 02

Participation: 05

Juniour Youth Groups: 01

Participation: 07

A number of presentations and consultation then followed:

Mr. Noah Bang Wong presented a letter from the Regional Baha’i Council (RBC) entitled "Empowering Local Spiritual Assemblies" in which the R.B.C. is requesting the Assemblies in the region to undergo the study of the book "The Greatness and Majesty of the Local Spiritual Assembly".
Mrs. Manal Gillette then spoke about "Balancing Material and Spiritual Life" and a document titled "The Days of our Lives" was studied.
This was followed by a presentation made by Mr. Gideon Tem on "Core Activities and Refresher Courses" and "Planning at Reflection Meeting at B Cluster" by Ms Siri Stella Fuh.
Planning

The friends then went into planning and came out with the following pledges to be fulfilled by February 2007
Planning

Planned Activities for February 2007

Study circles: 05

Pre-youth Groups: 01

Children’s Classes: 02

Home Visits: 09

Devotional Gatherings: 03
Planning
Human Resources, Projected Pyramid:
Book 1: 59
Book 2: 37
Book 3: 26
Book 5: 3
Book 7: 14
Planning
The unit convention was also discussed and fixed for the 16th –17th December 2006 at Kumba. The reflection closed at 1:55 pm with remarks from Mr. Njenke Peter on the behalf of the R.B.C. and Kingsley Fortu on the behalf of the Auxilliary Board Member.

Here you can see some of the freinds gathered at the reflection meeting

Some of the friends gathered at the reflection meeting

You can email a request to zionside@gmail.com for a copy of complete reflection report and a higher resolution copy of the above image.

Good attendance at Feasts in Buea and............pictures of Dr. Samandari

2006-11-26T21:05:00.000-08:00

The Buea community has recently been having good attendance at it's 19 Day Feasts, the last feast had an attendance of 62, and feast before that, which held in Dr. Samandari's home had a participation of 47. The community has adopted a sytem where groups of about three friends are formed to prepare the feast programme including devotional readings, a short talk, cleaning up etc etc....

And here is a picture of our dearest Dr. Samandari, taken in Buea on Sunday November 26th, who has never ceased to be a wonderful and loving inspiration to us all....

He is seen here with Nysa and Mehdi

New pictures from the Construction of the National Centre

2006-11-26T20:46:00.000-08:00

These pictures just came in on saturday and show the progress of the work towards the consrtuction of the National Centre in Yaounde. What you are seeing are portions of the foundation which was finished on November 24th, the work there now consists of filling the foundation, and as from Monday 27th, the pillars will begin to be erected.

In the above picture is the site foreman, Mr. Henock, on the right, and to the left is Mr. Henry, resident of Great Soppo Buea, who also did the wonderful carpentry at the Baha'i Centre of Learning in Buea.

Please you can email a request for these images in higher resolution to zionside@gmail.com

Auxiliary Board Members appointed

2006-11-24T17:59:00.000-08:00

The Auxiliary Board members were appointed early in November and will work under the guidance of Counsellor Tiati a Zock for the Next 5 years. Here are their names and the areas they will cover. Some areas have more that one ABM serving.

Mrs OTTIA Helen (Littoral (excluding Douala) and SW (Fako))

Mrs OTTIA Helen (Littoral (excluding Douala) and SW (Fako))

Mrs TIATI Beatrice (East and West)

Mr. ARREY John (Littoral and SW (Mamfe))

Mrs TCHAMEGNI Christine (Far North, North, Adamawa and Douala)

Mrs TANGU Constance (NW and West)

Mr GABANA Felix (East)

Mr. ONDOBO Fridolin (Centre, South and Equatorial Guinea)

Mr. DJOULDE Alain (Far North, North and Adamawa)

Mr. NKOUAGA Ferdinand (Centre, South and Equatorial Guinea)

Mr. TEM Gideon (SW and NW)

We should keep these wonderful and devoted friends in our prayers as they undertake the prodigous task of assisting the communities in implementing the 5 year plan.

Statistics from Fako and Edea

2006-11-22T11:45:00.000-08:00

Here are some extracts from the reports of Cluster reflection meetings in the Fako Cluster and Edea Cluster in September and October 2006.

Cluster Reflection Meeting In the Edea Cluster October 2006

The reflection meeting took place in the Bessombe Community with 39 participants (10 children included). The Edea Cluster includes over 5 communities and are currently a B cluster, with plans to move to A in the next months.

Some statistics for the Edea Cluster:

Pyramid of Human Resources:
Book 1: 42
Book 2: 26
Book 3: 19
Book 4: 17
Book 5: 0
Book 6: 15
Book 7: 15

Study Circles: 13
Participation: 6 Baha’is and 14 Seekers

Children’s Classes: 11

Participation: 19 Baha’is and 42 Seekers

Fako Cluster Reflection meeting 17th September 2006
Fako Cluster Reflection meeting 17th September 2006

The reflection meeting took place at the Centre of Learning in Buea, with a participation of 54.

Study Circles: 31
Participation: 21 Seekers and 58 Baha’is

Children’s Classes: 26
Participation: 234

If you would like a complete copy of the reflection meeting reports, email a request to zionside@gmail.com

Cluster reflection Meeting in Kumba gets treated to a visit from the Regional Baha'i Council

2006-11-19T22:05:00.000-08:00

From our on-the-scene correspondent Sammy Ateba...................

The kumba cluster held its reflection meeting on Sunday November 29th 2006 at the Regional Centre in Kumba. Of particular importance was that the reflection meeting coincided with the meeting of the Regional Baha'i Council for the Western Provinces.

The friends gathered at the reflection meeting had the blessing of consulting with the Regional Council as the Kumba cluster faces the challenge of moving to a Category A cluster and launching an intensive programme of growth.

Please, more details, and hopefully pictures, from the reflection meeting will be available soon.

The New Buea Baha'i choir and other news

2006-11-13T21:15:00.000-08:00

The Buea Baha'i choir....totally revamped!!!!!! they are singing for the Birth of Baha'u'llah at the Baha'i Centre of Learning, Molyko.

Also.........the Baha'i Center of Learning got a well deserved faclift with the installation of windows.

The Baha'i centre of Learning has a new Caretaker. You can see below the outgoing oga (Barth) with the incoming Oga (un certain John Oneke a.k.a Galaxy). More manyanga to wouna backfoot dem!!!

Rose Ngah here, conducting a children's class at the BCL

And of course, the newest addition to the Buea Baha'i community, Naseem Teku. Daughter to Dibo Akale and Gabriel Teku

And a sneek preview of the site for the new National Baha'i centre in Yaounde.

Here you can see the Foreman, Mr. Henock, who has worked on previous Baha'i projects and has been a friend of the the Faith for long.

Below are views from the site, the first picture show the Yaounde Congress Hall to the West:

And Hotel Mont Febe to the North:
A newsletter is being published to detail the progress of the contruction site, here are some extracts from that newsletter:

"The subject of relocating the National Haziratu’l-Quds from Limbe to Yaounde,the capital city, has been on the agenda of the National Spiritual Assembly since 1985. The need to transfer the National Office to the capital city, was further intensified with the growing need of the Faith in areas of expansion of communities in the country, and specially the work of the External Affairs and other Agencies of the NSA. This resolve was consolidated on 20 November 1999, when Dr. Payman Mohajer, then member of the International Teaching Centre consulted with the NSA of
Cameroon and encouraged it to pursue this Important goal.

Finally, on 22 June 2005, the NSA joyfully informed our Beloved House of Justice that the land for the National Haziratu’l-Quds had been purchased. With humble gratitude to the Blessed
Beauty, we are pleased to inform you that on 25 August 2006, construction work began, starting with the installation of the site.

The land is located in Messa - Carriere and measures 700 square meters. It is bounded by roads on two parallel sides. On the upper side by the main tarred road and on the lower, by a dirt road. The main entrance to the building will be from the tarred road leading to the third floor."

please email a request to zionside@gmail.com if you would like a full copy of the newsletter.