An IROKO In The Cameroon CSO Bows Out The Stage

It's been one week. One whole week of no Facebook or Instagram updates from Camp Girl.

One week of slowly coming to grips with the fact that no updates will be forthcoming except perhaps, updates about her burial.

One week of shed and unshed tears, questioning and even being afraid of asking questions because one still clings to that tiny hope of all these being a stuff night mares are made of.

One week since I woke up to that "What happened to Feka, tell me it is not true" agonising message from Sister Tosin. The said message which made my heart sank and I tiptoed to spy the Cameroon Social Media space, heart in my hands, wishing it isn't true and nothing has happened to our Camp Girl. One week of being greeted with post after post of agony and disbelief, with me screaming under some posts that people should stop joking!!!!

Mais helas! It wasn't really a joke. It was a painful reality of what has become of our ever vibrant, happy, smiling and supportive sister - Feka Parchibell- .

The news of the untimely and painful demise of one of ours has left the Cameroonian Civil Society, World Pulse Ambassadors and all who knew Feka in confusion and tears.

She was that one person you would always want to be in your camp. Fierce. Straight forward. Empathetic. Loyal. Passionate with a strong sense of justice and truth, never shying away to speak truth to power, so long as it brought justice to the underdogs and vulnerable.

Her passion for social justice could be felt on how passionately she fought for justice and peace especially during the Anglophone Crisis. A pacesetter in Menstrual Hygiene awareness in Cameroon whose passion didn't end with education but also making reusable pads for women and girls.

This same passion is what drove her to passionately support my advocacy to raise awareness on sickle cell. I can never forget how she would turn up each June for the past 5 years, to join my red campaign and how this past June 2021, she came all the way to stand by me as we celebrated Sickle Cell Day on June 19th.

Her presence, her words of encouragement and the ever present signature smile of hers could hardly be forgotten and that is why the news of her demise sent shockwaves to all the warriors who were present that day.

That is how special she was. Despite her deep personal challenges, she remained a fierce and faithful fighter for social justice. A force everyone who knew her could count on to fight anything social injustice.

Her sudden and shocking demise has left a vacuum that will not easily be filled within the Cameroon Civil Society.

Within the lives of those she touched with her organization, Hope for the Vulnerable and Orphans (HOVO).

Within the national and global community that were inspired by her go-getter and fighting spirit.

And within the hearts of friends and especially her three kids whose hearts have been broken into a thousand tiny pieces unsure of how to carry on.

And as I slowly come to terms with this great loss, I am again reminded of the fierce warrior she was whose parting gift it seems to us Ambassadors was how to stay resilient in the face of challenges - a reminder that is sorely needed as we grapple with this unique challenge- accepting the reality that our vibrant, fierce, powerful and fearless Feka has gone to rest.

And as we reflect on that, may we all think of ways to keep her legacy and dreams alive.

The battle continues even as our tears continue to fall.

Adieu CampGirl!