Wellbeing – The Practice of Living

By James Achanyi-Fontem,Camlink99@gmail.com

A high light of the first ever Rosicrucian Order, AMORC, English Convention in Cameroon was a lecture on the theme “Wellbeing, the Practice of Living” delivered by Kenneth Idiodi, Grand Administrator for English Speaking West Africa. Before starting his presentation, Fr. Kenneth Idiodi said, they were very happy, excited and honoured to be in Cameroon with Rosicrucian members. He recalled his last visit to Cameroon around the 1970s when he was Grand Councillor for Nigeria and Cameroon. This means that he is not new to the people of Limbe, Buea and Yaoundé, he just visited again. According to Fr. Kenneth Idiodi, visiting Cameroon is always unique and particular. He called that Yaounde was described as the City of Seven Hills and added that seven is very mystical. With this, he greeted the Colombes and went on to say, they came to Cameroon to keep the flag of the Rosy Cross flying.

He lauded the peace and harmony that reigns amongst Rosicrucians in Cameroon, which they witnessed and felt. In effect, those members met live and promote the principles of the organisation, especially as they all felt at home during their visits to Buea, Douala and Yaoundé. He told AMORC members that August is a special month for him, because he father was born in August and he joined the Rosicrucian Order in August 1965. He met the wife for the first time on the 20th August 1970 at 08h30 p.m. during a conclave in Lagos, Nigeria and they have remained united until now. It is with the sweet story about his life that he shared a couple of harmonium songs for wellbeing with convention members.

Chanting creates a state of wellbeing. He took the opportunity to express gratitude to Fr. Sven Johansson, the Grand Master of the English jurisdiction for laying a solid foundation of the convention with his presentation of the theory of wellbeing, in which he elaborated on the history of creation, tips on imagination, concentration, meditation, Karma, the Law of Compensation and so on. Discussing wellbeing, the practice of living, he said is like a journey of climbing a mountain to the summit. He said, God has made man sufficiently strong to stand, but free to fall. When a man falls, he should understand that it is normal to fall, especially when we can get back on our feet. It becomes a problem when man falls and cannot get up. When a man falls and gets up and continues to climb the mountain, he will one day reach the summit, which is harmonium.

He described wellbeing as the attainment of health, happiness and peace, which are the most worthy goals of the aspiration of a Rosicrucian. In effect, all human beings vibrate and this vibrations lead to the awareness of our consciousness. It from this point, that Fr. Kenneth Idiodi dwelt on the physical wellbeing, emotional wellbeing, mental wellbeing and spiritual wellbeing. Our work, our businesses, our finances, our homes, our marriages and other issues could be challenges to attaining our wellbeing. For more information, click on www.amorc.org

Cameroon Link CSO Organisational Capacity Evaluated

Helen Ayamba, camlink99@gmail.com

In view of ameliorating the performance of Cameroon Link organisational capacity within the framework of Scaling-up Malaria control for impact in Cameroon during the second phase, an independent consultant from Ets Ndzana et Frères in Yaoundé, Nke Rosine Madeleine, visited CAMLINK civil society organisation (CSO) in Bonaberi-Douala on the 26th August, 2013. Ets Ndzana & Frères in Yaoundé was hired to carry out the investigation in Bonassama and other health districts of the Littoral region. Ms. Nke Rosine Madeleine introducing her mission, said the activity conferred by Plan International Cameroon was to verify the physical existence of the civil society organisations, visibility of their reputation through existing human, material and financial resources available for collaboration as a SUFI partner. On the area of interest of Cameroon Link, it was recorded that mother and child health care promotion and protection stands as a priority. The Executive Director of Cameroon Link, James Achanyi-Fontem, informed Ms. Nke Rosine Madeleine that as a capacity building and rights advocacy organisation, it is affiliated to a good number of international networks like the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN), Farm Radio International (FRI) and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL). Cameroon Link coordinates the activities of the Federation of Cameroon Breastfeeding Promotion Associations (FECABPA). It also pilots the Cameroon Association of Broadcasters (CAB) whose mission is to promote open distance learning through story design programming with support from the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) and Farm Radio International (FRI). While COL is interested in the promotion of healthy community with the participation of development organisations, health experts and the project beneficiaries who are in most cases women, FRI targets the promotion of wellbeing of smallholder farmers. The executive director of Cameroon Link assured the investigator that Cameroon Link is a visible non-profit and non-governmental organisation with no political inclination and does not work with any organisation or groups that promotes violence. On how Cameroon Link recruits its staff, it was noted that this is based on the level of education required and the capacity of the individual to perform well and deliver the services. There are two categories of staff, permanent and volunteer staff. The volunteer staffs are considered as temporary workers recruited to deliver prompt services within short contract period. Cameroon Link promotes gender equality at all levels of its activities and guarantees that persons involved in the delivery of services are compensated. A performance evaluation is done every six months to be able to identify gaps and correct weaknesses. Staff with high performance is motivated. The cycle of Cameroon Link projects fall within the range of three to five years. Strategic plans are proposed by members of the executive bureau to the general assembly annually. The assembly adopts and validates the activity sheet before take-off of any cycle of activities. At the end of the exchange meeting at Cameroon Link, the consultant of Plan Cameroon, Nke Rosine expressed gratitude for the openness during the investigation. She observed that the output of the organisation is visible and positive. She later left for Manoka Island to continue her mission. In her words, “I am delighted to discover that there are excellent, viable and performing civil society organisations in Cameroon.

Fr. Sven Johansson Calls For Adherence To Natural Laws

By James Achanyi-Fontem, camlink99@gmail.com

The Worthy Grand Master of the English Language Jurisdiction of the Ancient Mystical Order of the Rosae Crucis, AMORC, for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Fr. Sven Johansson end a work visit to Cameroon on the 25th August 2013 after presided over the first AMORC English Convention in Yaoundé under the theme, “Wellbeing – Theory and Practice of Living”. He was accompanied during the convention by Nigerian born Kenneth Idiodi, the Grand Administrator for English Speaking West Africa and a power delegation of Regional Monitors in Cameroon and Nigeria. The convention started with the singing of AMORC anthem and short welcome address by the Regional Monitor for Kumba, Cameroon, Fr. Achou Mathias, who said, there was all hope that before Sven Johanssen and Kenneth Idiodi left the country, the mystical note brought by them will regenerate mysticism throughout Cameroon. Fr. Sven Johanssen said, it was real honour to be in Cameroon for the first time of his life. He was delighted to see what members in Buea, Douala and Yaoundé are doing to keep the flame of AMORC burning. He mentioned that the work of the Rosicrucian Order is spread around the world in 19 international languages.

All members work for the development of wellbeing for themselves, their families and the whole country. Peace, harmony and good will is what members of the order gather in one place to seek. He made it known that all humanity is composed of distant cousins in a biological and genetic sense. Wellbeing is something everybody is seeking for through great health, great thoughts, close relationships, happiness, mental health, financial stability, freedom from economic hardship, learning to support one’s nation aqnd seeking spiritual God day to day.

Striving for wellbeing is always a challenge and it does not come without effort. All creatures seek wellbeing whether we like it or not. He recalled the gospel and reminded participants at the convention, that “In the beginning, God created Heaven and Earth.” The world was void without form and God said, “Let there be light”. This story of creation is only one out of many, many others about the enesis of our existence. One would ask what this has to do with wellbeing. Whether we like it or not we seek reason to believe the story. Wellbeing requires stability which comes from confidence. AMORC members determine for themselves what they want to be through the study of their monographs. For more information, click on http://camlinknews.blogspot.com/2013/08/cameroon-hosts-first-amorc-english_1783.html; http://camlinknews.blogspot.com/2013/08/plotinus-lodge-tdi-team-installed.html

Plotinus Lodge TDI Team Installed

By James Achanyi-Fontem, Email: camlink99@gmail.com

One of the key actions taken during the official visit of Fr. Sven Johansson, the Worthy Grand Master of the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC, in Cameroon was the installation of the Temple Degree Initiation (TDI) Team for the English language community. This event took place at the Plotinus Lodge in Bonaberi-Douala after a brief visit to Hermes Chapter in Buea, South West region of Cameroon to appreciate the work of the Rosicrucian members in that part of the country on the 22nd August, 2013. The Grand Master was accompanied by the Grand Administrator for English Speaking West Africa. During the TDI team installation ceremony, the AMORC Grand Councillor for the Cameroon English Community, Fr. Julius Nso Nso, delivered a message on the theme, “Purification”. He started by presenting the sincere thanks and gratitude of the Plotinus Lodge Members for the extension of the programme of the Cameroon AMORC Convention to include visits to Buea and Douala to appreciate the noble course to serve humanity. Naturally, the Grand Master would have concentrated his attention only on the convention in Yaoundé, but visits to Buea and Douala were squeezed into the agenda of the official visit to Cameroon.

Talking about purification, he dwelled on the definition and history of purification mystical purification, its purpose and teaching of different processes of purification using different tools like water, fire, earth, music symbols just to name a few. He quoted the purification of water as an example of natural activity, while encouraging members to purify their environment for healthy living. The purpose of purification is to attune the human body to the natural laws.

For the achievement of any mystical action, purification is necessary because it attunes us with God. This helps us face our inner selves to understand the realities of life. The history of purification dates as far back as ancient times and its interpretation has changed with time including the period of the Atlantis generation. Since then, purification has been a continuous process by humanity. In the Rosicrucian teaching, fire is a symbol of purity and this leads to a pure way of life, pure resolution, pure efforts to achieve goals, pure speech, pure observation and you can name the others. It should be noted that man is a dual being with a physical and spiritual entity which is the soul. Each part of the human being has its special method of purification with water, fire, air and earth. Good eating, good thinking and good breathe enhance better results from the use of the above ingredients nature has given us. The drinking of magnetized water symbolically purifies our body.

The installation ritual ceremony was attended by a powerful delegation from the Nigeria AMORC jurisdiction. In the concluding remarks by Sven Johansson, the 20-man strong team was cautioned to continue to serve humanity generously with purity, honesty and sincerity in line with the regulations of the Rosicrucian Order. Plotinus is a Greek philosopher of about the secondary A.D. and father of the Neoplatonic School, that expounded a doctrine of emanation. The doctrine was centred on the divine power and light emanated downward like rays from the sun. For more information, click on www.amorc.org

Cameroon Hosted First AMORC English Convention

By James Achanyi-Fontem, Email:camlink99@gmail.com The Worthy Grand Master of the English language Jurisdiction of the Ancient Mystical Order of the Rose Cross, AMORC, for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Sven Johansson, undertook a work visit to Cameroon from the 22nd – 25th August, 2013.

During the stay of Sven Johansson in Cameroon, he held meetings in Buea, Douala before presiding over the first ever Cameroon English Rosicrucian Convention at the Yaoundé Congress Hall on the 24th and 25th August, 2013 under the theme: “Wellbeing – The Theory and Practice of Living.” Sven Johansson was accompanied during the trip to Cameroon by Nigerian born Kenneth Idiodi, who is the Grand Administrator for English Speaking West Africa. The English Grand Lodge of AMORC covers English speaking people residing in Europe, Russia, the states of the former Soviet Union, the Middle East, Africa, West Indian Ocean & South Atlantic Islands. Some 300 delegates attended the convention in Cameroon.

Within the theme of the convention, it would be noted that we all have within us an independent kernel of sentience and wisdom..., greater, more developed, more majestic and mature than anyone of us ever imagined possible. Used wisely, it leads us to ever greater expressions of the qualities we long for the most. These qualities consist of greater personal freedom, enhanced mental mobility, refinement of character, a more mature emotional and moral nature, elevated levels of consciousness and creativity, more exacting standards of personal discipline, a more penetrating understanding of the things we are working with, a more forgiving and compassionate nature, deeper and more permanent relationships, personal success in all endeavours we really care about, and finally one day..., a deep, indwelling sense of peace and tranquility, regardless of the outer conditions in which we live. When the human being’s innate wisdom is used incorrectly, or is abused in the pursuit of degrading purposes, the person becomes like so many people in our sorry world today feeling..., unhappy, unfulfilled, lacking in focus, distracted by ephemeral wants rather than fundamental needs, not understanding why they have so many unpleasant setbacks, and generally falling short of many of the good, wholesome things people truly aspire to. It would be noted that, very often the wisdom that most people seem pre-programmed with from birth, remains hidden and undiscovered throughout their life. This is hidden by the turmoil and distractions of worldly existence, unhappy relationships and financial worries, and shielded from discovery by the frantic pace of life. If only more people knew what they were missing..., what immense creativity, happiness and achievements they would see! Wellbeing is just one of the questions about life. Have you ever asked yourself questions like: Who am I? Why am I here? What is my purpose in life? In fact, is there even a purpose?

Most people have pondered such existential questions at one time or other, but few have found answers they can really believe. Most answers we hear nowadays are not credible, not reasonable, not rational. If they aren't couched in fundamentalist religious terms, they are usually out of the book of alien conspiracy theories. So it is understandable that few people care about such existential issues. Who after all has the time nowadays to ponder such things? Does it really matter whether we know the answers or not? For seekers of spiritual enlightenment, it certainly does..., and answers often come to them in moments of quietude as inspiring thoughts seemingly originating within themselves. Their conclusions may not be the final answer, but they are rational and believable; and for the remainder of their lives they carry their conclusions and the rationales behind them as anchor points to which they return again and again. And this is precisely what Rosicrucians do..., and wish many others could do too. For the really hard questions, those that are almost too hard to even ask, the honest response is and always has been silence..., no response. Silence is all we get when we ask questions we cannot adequately formulate meaningful answers. Silence has always been the most accurate answer we get to questions relating to who or what we actually are, for it is ultimately the deepest of all questions there is. The reality of our existence is one thing, and we all have our views on this; but the actuality of what we are, where this "thinking thing that is me" originates, where it is destined to go, and what it is supposed to be doing in life..., such questions can only be answered in part only, and the answers come to us usually only during periods of calmness and genuine inner silence. This too, Rosicrucians seek to teach. It is during the calmness and serenity of that inner silence that we can gain an appreciation of the true form of all existence, and ultimately learn how to ask the questions that really count. Full and final answers are seldom received, but partial answers that profoundly change our lives for the better and expand our appreciation of life and our place in it..., these will come regularly throughout life from then on. Realistically, it is only in moments of true inner silence that we learn how to connect with the boundless wisdom we already possess. Most of the time, it is hidden and out of reach to our outer self; yet it is already highly refined and merely waiting for a way to be put to good use. Every person has the innate ability to find their own deeply satisfying extraordinary answers to all questions they can formulate. Very few persons, however, know how to accomplish this. What is needed is a workable method of tapping into that personal innate wisdom, connecting with the deepest part of one's being..., and that is what Rosicrucians do for themselves, and teach others to do when sincerely asked. Mastering such methods requires a tried and tested system of inner development, and this is what the Rosicrucian Order provides for anyone truly. AMORC is well implanted worldwide with jurisidictions as follows: Croatian,Czech,Danish,Dutch,English (Americas),English (Australasia), English (Europe, M/East & Africa), Finnish,French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Latvian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Slovak, Spanish (Americas excluded), Spanish (Americas only), Swedish Here is the full agenda of the first ever Rosicrucian Order, AMORC, English Convention in Cameroon

AMORC Cameroon Convention Agenda (22nd – 25th August, 2013) 22nd August – Hermes Chapter Buea 10.00 -11.45 Visit to Hermes Chapter Premises 12.05 -12.30 Council of Solace attunement Plotinus Lodge Douala, Bonaberi 4 Etages 19.00 -21.00 Convocation & Special Ritual Installation of the Temple Degree Initiation Team 23rd August 2013 16.00 16.45 Visit AMORC Domain in Yaoundé 17.30 -18.00 Preparation of Temple for the General Conventicle 18.15 -20.00 TMO General Conventicle 24th August 2013 Congress Hall Yaoundé 08.00 – 08.30 Registration 09.00 – 09.25 opening Ceremony 09.25 -10.20 “Wellbeing: The Theory of Living” (Part 1) 10.20 -10.30 Break 10.30 -11.25 “Wellbeing: The Theory of Living” (Part 2) 11.25- 12.05 Break& Temple Preparation for Council of Solace 12.05 -12.30 Council of Solace attunement 12.30 -14.00 Break 14.00 -14.55 “Wellbeing, The Practice of Living” (Part 1) 14.55 – 15.05 Break 15.05 -16.00 “Wellbeing, The Practice of Living” (Part 2) 16.00 -17.10 Break 17.10 -18.50 Pronaos Convocation 18.50 -21.00 Members meet to fraternise (Hall is closed) 25th August 2013 Congress Hall Yaoundé 08.00 -08.50 Registration 09.00 -10.40 Lodge Convocation 10.40 .12.05 Preparation for Council of Solace 12.05 -12.30 Council of Solace attunement 12.30 -13.10 Break 13.15 -13.45 R C Forum with members 13.45 -14.00 Closing remarks by Grand Councillor, Grand Administrator & GM End of Convention For more information, send a mail to : amorcencam@yahoo.com or call: +237 79022106

CAMLINK Radio Gets Zoom Recorder from FRI Board Member

Helen Ayamba, camlink radio, Email: camlink99@gmail.com

CAMLINK Radio received a Zoom Recorder donated by FRI Board Member, Jacqueline Toupin to support the work realized within an on-going strategic partnership.. The donation was made during a courtesy visit to the FRI Cameroon Focal Point in Bonaberi-Douala tofind out for herself the impact of Farm Radio services to the Cameroon rural populations, and especially smallholder farmers. She discussed possibilities of a joint venture for capacity building of staff of the Central Africa Community Radio Network (RERAC) coordinated by Eva Mouzong from Yaoundé and rural radio stations serving the indigenous pygmy communities in the east region of Cameroon.. She reminded the Farm Radio Media Broadcast Liaison officer, Cooh Odette Behn that she should fully engage and inform farmers through radio and ICTs like the Farm Radio regional offices in Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia and Mali. She added that with funding from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for the African Farm Radio Research Initiative (AFRRI), Farm Radio is directly implementing and evaluating a variety of innovative approaches in the above countries.

Addressing coordinators of RERAC and the Model Forest Project, Jacqueline Toupin said, consistent with the commitment to empower smallholder farmers to achieve their farming and food security dreams, Farm Radio can offer agriculture initiatives that pay through communicating with them. FRI Cameroon was encouraged to continue to promote participatory radio campaigns (PRC) during its field monitoring exercises. PRC is a planned radio based activity conducted over a specific period of time, between four to 6 months, during which a broad population of farmers is encouraged to make an informed decision about adopting a specific improvement selected by their pairs, based on the best available information, to improve food security of the farmers’ families. The Farm Radio Board member shared information on the 75 ways to fix a farmer program and agriculture radio that works. Handing over the Zoom Recorder, she said, there is no doubt that Cameroon Link understands the importance of voice quality and that the tool will facilitate the work and expand Farm Radio achievements in Cameroon in the interest of smallholder farmers. From Cameroon Link, Jacquie travelled to Kribi in the south of Cameroon to visit Beach FM. The visit to encourage FRI Cameroon Link partnership efforts was appreciated by the entire team of the organisation.

FRI Cameroon, RERAC & Model Forest Discuss Livelihood Venture

By Helen Ayamba, CAMLINK Radio, Email: camlink99@gmail.com

A Farm Radio Board member, Jacqueline Toupin has connected FRI Cameroon to a joint venture capacity building venture with the Central Africa Community Radio Network (RERAC) coordinated by Eva Mouzongin Yaoundé and the Model Forest Network of Patrick Nyemeck SGAN in Lomie in the East region of Cameroon. A first working session held at IBIS Hotel Douala on the 31st July 2013. Eva PauleMouzong, who is also the station manager of Environment Radio in Yaoundé is a strategic partnerofthe Model Forest Network. The Model Forest Project is involved in the promotion of forest governance, participatory monitoring and evaluation, business development services, climate change adaptation and mitigation. Cameroon hosted the African Model Forest Conference in Yaoundé from the 12th to 15th March 2013. It is FRI Managing Editor, Vijay Cuddeford in Vancouver, Canada who introduced Cameroon Link to Jacqueline Toupin. Vijay worked for WWF Canada for 15 years.

The Africa Model Forest Network (RAFM) is promotion a project known as Bio-Adapt encouraging the use of bio-fertilizers, ameliorated grains for planting, non-conventional animal breeding, domestication of forest products, farmers’ microfinance and business models through promotion of market information systems.. The project receives financial and technical support from the Canadian International Development Agency, CIDA. Talking to Farm Radio, Patrick Nyemeck said, people and forest cannot be separated, since people around the world use forest resources such as fruits, timber, bush meat, agro- and rattan for their livelihood every day. He added that participatory and inclusive approaches to sustainable forest management and use can help prevent conflicts over resources and forest degradation. Campo Ma’an and Dja&Mpomoare two pilot sites selected for the execution of the Model Forest strategy in Cameroon. The 700.000 hectares Dja&Mpomo forest is located in the east region of Cameroon. It has a striking bio-diversity with over 600 tree species, 165 mammalian species, 120 fish species and 320 bird species. Elephant, leopard, gorilla and chimpanzee have been listed as threatened and endangered mammals.

Dja&Mpomo has a total population of 25.000 inhabitants divided into five main indigenous ethnic groups including the Baka pygmies. 40% of the landscape consists of forest management units with almost a quarter placed as protected area. The population is involved in informal agro-economy, forestry related activities, handicraft and mining. Though the economic value of the area is rated as high, the local populations do not benefit from the forest resources and revenues. As a solution, the Model Forest is providing a coherent network for all the actorsto experiment with sustainable management practices on the basis of voluntary partnerships. FRI Cameroon and Environment Radio Yaoundé will design capacity building training for pygmy community radio stations in the east region of Cameroon in 2014 with the support the Model Forest Project.

FRI Canada Board Member Visits Cameroon

By Helen Ayamba, camlink Radio Email: camlink99@gmail.com

Jacqueline Toupin, a Farm Radio Board memberrecently visited Cameroon to appreciate the on-going partnership and outcomes of interventions. She was accompanied to Douala by members of the Cameroon Model Forest Project, Patrick Nyemeck, who is IT and Communication Officer, Gladys Otou, a VSO volunteer and communication specialist working in Yaoundé; and Eva Mouzong, who is the Coordinator of Reseau de Radio Communautaired’AfriqueCentrale (RERAC). Cameroon Link hosted the team during the stop over and working sessions. Jacquie Toupincoordinated a tripartite working session at IBIS Hotel Bonanjo-Douala to find possible linkage between FRI Cameroon, Cameroon Model Forest Project and RERAC after a visit to Littoral regional radio located in Bonanjo. The participants at meeting discussed possibilities of working with the vulnerable Baka Pygmy communities in Lomie, east region of Cameroon, where community radios exist, but the volunteer broadcasters have had not even elementary training on broadcast techniquesand community radio management. Cameroon is part of the African Model Forest Network, AMFN,affiliated to the International Model Forest Network. This is part of an established community of vision and practice on five continents, with proven record in the governance of vast landscapes and complex multi-stakeholder partnerships. Model Forests fulfil diverse aspirations for better livelihoods through joint actions and projects. In 2005, the Cameroonian sites of Campo Ma’an and Dja&Mpomo were selected as pilots for Central Africa. In both mode forests, stakeholders are building large scale development and management platforms based on voluntary partnerships. Campo Ma’an is the south of Cameroon has 770.000 hectares of forest rich in biodiversity, elephants, buffalo, gorilla, chimpanzee, and pantherwith over 300 bird species. The 60.000 inhabitants are divided into seven ethnic groups that peacefully co-habit in the area. The main occupation of the population is farming, fishing and hunting.One third of the landscape is a national park, a quarter is an agro-forestry zone with rubber and oil palm as the main produces. Two logging companies have implanted activities in the region. At Littoral FM Radio in Bonandjo, Mrs.Toupin discussed with the Director, Serge NgandoNtone on the level of FRI collaboration and how the materials sent to the station is exploited. Jeanne Tchakounte who organised a guided visit of the broadcast installations had benefited from a FRI Canada scholarship to participate in training planned in Burkina Faso. The FRI Board member accorded an interview to CRTV Littoral on her trip to the east region of Cameroon and the expectations from the visit of broadcast partners.