A contingent from Northern Ireland  includes the Burns family whose mother Mary spent a number of years there back in the 1980’s as a doctor in the Fontem hospital. She was honoured by the Bangwa people and has been crowned a Mafua – “Queen” of the Bangwa tribe. Mary who died 5 years ago has been remembered by her family and friends from the Armoy area where she worked tirelessly to serve the community there and the family have raised a generous donation and a collection of books for the library. Funds raised will be used to contribute to the building of a Hall for the community in Fontem.

Over the years members and friends of the Focolare in Ireland have served the community in Fontem including Stephen McCormick, who accompanies the group now. Ita Lyng from Dun Laoghaire, who was a teacher in the secondary school, is buried in Fontem. At the moment Margaret Long, also from Dun Laoghaire originally, is working in the secondary school there.

These are the words of Conleth, Mary’s son, who together with his family organized a fundraiser before they went to Fontem earlier this month:

“Thirty years ago in 1986, Mammy went to the small village of Fontem in West Cameroon, Africa. She was volunteering with the Focolare Movement as a doctor in a Maternity Hospital.

When the Focolare Movement arrived there in 1966, 9 in every 10 babies didn’t live past the age of one.

50 years on, the story of Fontem has been described as the “Miracle in the Forest.” Chiara Lubich (Founder of the Focolare) said that the story of Fontem shows that “Love conquers all.”

50 years ago, the Bangwa people faced extinction. Now the Bangwa people look forward to their future with hope and anticipation.

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Focolare’s arrival in Fontem, myself, Daddy, Ríonach, Thomas and Tim have been invited to go to Fontem.

We will go in mid-December to mark this 50th Anniversary. As we prepare for this trip we think of the heroic courage and commitment of Mammy and so many others in changing lives of so many people there!

In Fontem, the current project is creating a multi-purpose hall for the school. The hall will give the students the chance to get involved in drama, public speaking, dance, sports and debating. It will allow a space for the community to grow stronger together. But for this to happen some money has to be raised!”

Through the fundraiser and other donations from well-wishers the Burns family raised over ten thousand pounds for this project.