Against All Odds: Martha & Collette's Remarkable Journeys From Danger To Educational Achievements

 

📷Web: University Of Bamenda, UBa Campus

By Raymond Dingana

Martha( as she voted to be addressed for personal reasons) just had her Advance Level General Certificate Of Education, GCE results with 15 points when the Anglophone crisis turned deadly in 2017. 

Unfortunately, she didn't have the money to study in the safe areas of Cameroon, so she decided to take the risk to attend the University of Bamenda (UBa) to become a teacher. She enrolled in the academic year 2017/2018.

"It wasn’t easy. Sometimes, no vehicles could leave Bamenda for Bambili, so we had to walk to school just to get an education." 

One event that she will never forget happened at Mile 5 Nkwen. 

"As we neared the junction, gunshots rang out. Our young driver panicked, while people could be seen running everywhere. We had to leave the car and find cover."

Martha and others hid behind a church. After the shooting stopped, she couldn't continue to Bambili.

"I felt like I was staring death in the face, but it wasn't my time to go. My friends had mixed reactions; some encouraged me while others said I might not be lucky next time. However, I was determined to keep studying."

Matha faced many challenges, including dodging bullets, avoiding kidnappers, while many of her friends either dropped out of school or migrated to other regions to further their education. But she was bent on chasing her dreams in Bamenda.

"If I had quit, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I dreamed, pursued, and achieved my goals. I’m a proud teacher now. Anyone can succeed if they are determined."

Martha's story inspires many people especially those waiting for the Anglophone crisis to end before they follow their dreams. She didn't let fear stop her, she pushed through the challenges instead.

             Martha's Success Story 

Fortunately for her, Martha's resilience paid off. She graduated and now teaches Economics at a government school in Bafoussam, in the West Region of Cameroon. She has been there since January 2021 and will celebrate five years there in 2026.

        Collect Bafon: A Different Journey

While Martha is happily employed and can support her family, Collect Bafon, a visually Impaired lady has not been as fortunate. She was a student at the National Polytechnic University Institute during the 2016/2017 academic year.

Being visually impaired, she did not let the crisis defeat her. 

"I was determined to earn my Higher National Diploma (HND). That was my driving force,"

said Collect.

She faced many challenges, especially with movement. When people were running, it felt like her world was ending, she said.

"I couldn't run because I didn't know where to go. It was a tough time for me as a student who just wanted to be educated and become a better person in the future."

Collect struggled to gather data for her project, relying on her younger brother, who helped her navigate and complete her HND program.

Despite her challenges, Collect earned her HND, but she is still searching for a job.

"I tried in vain to find work. I applied to CBC Radio, Christian Broadcasting Radio,(SBC),and Ndefcam Radio, but they said they didn't have the funds to pay me," 

explained Collect.

To survive, she now sells detergents and hair oil. When asked how much she makes from these sales, her voice grew sad. 

"Sometimes, I make 1,000 FCFA in a month. It’s not much, but I’m managing."

She also said if given the opportunity, she will love to also learn how to produce shampoo and Vaseline.

             Collect's Future Wishes

"My biggest wish is to continue my education and earn a degree. That has always been my goal,"

 she told drayinfos. 

"Unfortunately, my retired parents cannot afford my tuition. They have worked hard for us, and now it's our turn to support them, but the means is not there."

 Collect stated.

         Efforts to Ensure Student Safety

The government of Cameroon has invested significantly in student safety. More security personnel have been deployed, and there are soldiers at some campuses. Security checkpoints have increased, which has reduced incidents that might have led to a near complete shutdown of schools in certain areas.

Despite these efforts, killings and kidnappings for ransom still occur, but students refuse to give up. Their resilience encourages many to continue their education.

As education struggles to grow in these tough times, learners say they won't wait any longer and will keep moving forward.