MECUDA (Meta Cultural and Development Association) is the umbrella body that takes care of the cultural and developmental needs of the Meta people in Mbengwi central sub division. The association has branches dotted here and there, nationally and internationally. Almost everywhere there are Meta people on earth, there's a MECUDA branch too.
Amongst the many MECUDA branches in existence on planet earth, there's one that goes by the name First MECUDA USA. These are Meta sons and daughters that were fortunate to leave home for greener pastures in "the land of milk and honey", America. Despite the better life there, they've not been carried away to the point of forgetting about the land if their birth. They still think of home, sweet home.
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| IDPs & Affected Person Collecting Assistance at MECUDA Head Office, Mbengwi |
With Mbengwi being one of the affected areas of the ongoing Anglophone crisis that escalated into an armed conflict resulting to fire exchanges, killings, burnings, kidnaps for ransoms etc, the after effect was increase in number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). At some point, the escape is from the suburbs to central town and at other points, it's the reverse depending on where the exchanges are taking place.
Soon Mbengwi became relatively calm and instead turned to be a safe haven as IDPs started escaping from other warring areas like Bafut, Bali, Nso, Mankon etc to seek refuge in Mbengwi. Then, non governmental organisations, aide groups, the state of Cameroon and other constituted bodies started stepping in with assistance to the victims. Sons and daughters from several villages raised money and sent back home for basic needs to be bought and distributed to their parents facing the heat. Such aide had been distributed in Ngwokwong, Sang, Bome etc though often, donors have to buy their way through the two fighting groups (soldiers and Amba Boys) before reaching the victims with the assistance. Cases were even reported of some donors being mistaken for state officials and molested by Amba Boys in some areas.
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| Bags of Rice |
In the midst of all these happenings, First MECUDA USA couldn't be indifferent. The association of recent sent a relief package to Mbengwi worth 1.3 million francs. It was on Friday May 31st 2019 that close to 150 IDPs and affected persons in Mbengwi benefitted from First MECUDA USA's largesse. From the various villages that make up the Meta clan, mostly villages within and around Mbengwi central town, they came in their numbers, father's, mother's and children to take home their package. The donation was done in the conference hall of the MECUDA Head Office, Mile 18 Ku-Bome, Mbengwi.
The items donated were 15 bags of rice, 10 cartons of vegetable oil, 3 cartons of soap, 1 carton of maggi, 15 bags of salt and over a hundred plastic buckets. Present to coordinate the distribution exercise were the mayor of the Mbengwi Council, Madam Tebe Beatrice, the national president of MECUDA, Mr. Ayaba David alongside some MECUDA national executive council members, religious authorities, the press and security forces.
Expressing his impressions after the exercise, the MECUDA President General said "At first I was scared that I will come and not meet people but seeing the turn out, I became happy. I even wanted to shed tears because I could see a suffering people trying to die in silence" He went ahead to disclose that the gesture came from First MECUDA, Maryland, USA headed by Mr. Tazi.
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| Mr. Ayaba David, MECUDA National President General |
Expressing gratitude to the donor, Pa Chi Joseph from Ku fondom said "We thank First MECUDA USA for this love they've shown not only to us Meta people but all IDPs and affected persons resident in Mbengwi irrespective of their tribes" He wished their financial sources never run dry and requested they abroad intensify prayers for them back home because the crisis seem far from being over. He ended by also appreciating the administration of Mbengwi for all its efforts in controlling the conflict in Mbengwi not to escalate to unbearable limits like the cases in other areas where villages have been completely burnt, civilians massacred, rapes cases and other firms if human rights abuses recorded.
These words of appreciation were corroborated by Madam Tifuh Helen from Mbengwi and Madam Amboh Prisca from Njindom. At the end, both recipients and donation coordinators went back home fully satisfied. At press time, reports say MECUDA is currently making plans to reach out to Meta refugees in Nigeria
God bless Mbengwi Online!
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