Tche Irene Morikang
6 May 2008
It is a must-read book. Not simply because it focuses on a First Lady. Rather because it has to do with 262 pages that narrate the fascinating apolitical life and humanitarian works of an exceptional woman; Mrs Chantal Biya, First Lady of Cameroon. In succinct language, focused on facts and void of exaggerated commentary, the author, Beatrix Verhoeven browsed through the fairytale-like existence of Mrs Chantal Biya.
From her birth in Dimako, through her life as an adolescent in Yaounde, to her role as a devoted First Lady of Cameroon. One theme cuts across her 37 years of existence: the passion to serve and alleviate the suffering of others. Qualities she has lived with since childhood. The book, "Chantal Biya: La passion de l'humanitaire", which focuses on the humanitarian actions of the First Lady, portrays the one whom Cameroonians discovered on 20th May 1994 as an epitome of love, help, care, assistance and sharing.
Although in the foreword, Beatrix Verhoeven, says she didn't intend to make startling revelations in her book, she nonetheless has some "scoops". The most catching section of the book is, undoubtedly, the 44-page insert dedicated to some 100 significant pictures of the life of Mrs Chantal Biya. Besides pictures with some eminent personalities and those taken during some official ceremonies since she became First Lady on 23rd April 1994, we can also admire pictures of the First Lady's childhood in Dimako, her life as an adolescent and, above all, captivating images of her wedding with President Paul Biya. It is also through the pictures that we discover that beauty is inherent in the First Lady. Her mother, Rosette Ndongo Mengolo was Miss Doumé (a town in the East province) way back in 1969. And her father, Georges Vigouroux , a handsome French expatriate.
The book, prefaced by Prof. Luc Montagnier, President of the AIDS Prevention and Research World Foundation, is divided into four chapters. It begins with a presentation of the woman and her home. Mrs Biya talks about her daily chores, her activities as a devoted mother and affectionate wife and her first steps at the Unity Palace. She also gives her point of view on First Ladies and politics and why she has opted to support her husband unconditionally. Her influence on the emotional life of the President and his physical appearance, as well as her relaxed style and, at times, "nonconformist" approach to events and protocol are also revisited.
In the second part, readers would be enlightened on why Chantal Biya decided to focus her actions on improving the lives of women and children. The activities of the foundation that bears her name are highlighted. Special attention is also given to the "Ecoles les champions", which she has been constructing across the country in partnership with EDICEF and handing over to the State and the "Ecole les coccinelles" of State House.
The third part of the book is on Mrs Biya's international humanitarian actions, with focus on the African Synergy against AIDS and Suffering, an association of First Ladies which she created and the activities of the Chantal Biya International Reference Centre for Research on the Prevention and Management of HIV/AIDS.
The last part of the book is on the entire philosophy that guides Chantal Biya's humanitarian actions. The author revisits her option to work for the progress of women as seen in her participation in the celebration of the International Women's Day, the creation of the Circle of Friends of Cameroon to forge her actions on and why Mrs Biya can rightly be considered as the Mother Teresa of Africa. The book will soon be available in book stores. The English translation is already in the works.
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