Helen Yogo, a volunteer with IofC Cameroon, reports on how IofC Cameroon has been partnering with other change agents as well as a reflection session with St. John Bosco teachers.

Partnering with Change Agents- IofC Cameroon

On 29 January, 2015, the Buea facilitators of the Initiatives of Change (IofC) youth programme named Leadership in Schools were invited to the launch of the book, 'The Seed of Indigenous Priests of the Ecclesiastes Province of Bamenda'. The book was written by Rev Father Emile Tanka, the spiritual director of Bishop Rogam Minor Serminary Buea, situated in the south west region of Buea, Cameroon.

Considering the history of Cameroon and the church, this is an extraordinary book, that  moves from the 'why to the how', much like the famous Mahatma Gandhi quote 'be the change you want to see in the world'. In IofC, we identify, support, encourage and promote agents of change who will take steps and make the differences within their communities, starting with themselves.

Singer Helen Yogo, accompanied on the piano by Mafany, a student from Bishop Rogan College, sang two IofC songs, Be the Change and Candle Song at the occasion.

The inner search with St John Bosco Teachers

On 31 January, 2015, about 220 staff and students of St John Bosco Teachers Training institution situated at Our Lady of Peace Shrine, took a break from their busy world with the aim to connect to the divine power and listen to their inner voice.

Helen Yogo, the initiator of leadership and school programmes in Cameroon, was invited to lead the people through an inner search journey by being silent and exploring the IofC model of quite time (connect, correct, implement) based on the four absolute values (purity, honesty, unselfishness and love).

Helen was assisted by Ngo, a committed team member to the leadership and school program as a volunteer from Community Welfare Centre, Buea. Together they reach out to youth on personal and communal change.

In the time of reflection the questions to guide the participants were: Who am I? What are my values? Can I be the change I seek or want? What are my skills, talents and potential? It was a powerful session of inner search that led to deep sharing.

The session was concluded with a quote from St John Bosco of Northern Italy: 'Do the best you can, our Lord and Lady will do the rest.'

By Helen Yogo