The chief ruler of a large tribe in Cameroon, in west-central Africa, is visiting Honesdale this weekend, and paid a brief visit at Highlights for Children Magazine Friday. The publication is donating 3,000 copies of their monthly magazine for the children in the tribe.
His Majesty, Fon Sehm Mbinglo I, is paramount government and chief religious authority over the tribe Nso comprised of approximately 400,000 people. “Fon” can be translated “King.” He has been in power since 1993.
Fon Sehm Mbinglo I is the guest of the Himalayan Institute, based in Dyberry Township. Accompanying him at Highlights was Chemson Joseph, president of Himalayan Institute- Cameroon; the Fon’s personal assistant Dinayen Aron Jaidzee and Brian Fulp, who is Public Relations Director of the Himalayan institute and President of the Honesdale Area Rotary Club.
The dignitary was the special guest Thursday evening at the Rotary Club. On Monday he will be visiting St. Vincent’s School, where children have been busy in a penpal exchange program with children in Cameroon.
The Honesdale Rotarians, in conjunction with the Himalayan Institute, for the past year, has been raising funds to create a public library in Kumbo, the capital city of the Nso Kingdom. Fulp said they already have 25,000 books in storage, donated from across the U.S. Kumbo’s city council donated a building, which is being renovated and equipped for what Fulp said is their first library.
About a year ago, Highlights donated magazines and puzzle books, which were enthusiastically received by the people in Kumbo. Fulp stated that even adults lined up to get them. “They were beyond thrilled,” he said, noting that the student slack this type of educational material.
The people in the region speak English, French and Lamnso.
Fon Sehm Mbinglo I told the Rotarians that he was overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness of the people of Honesdale, and was delighted to see the fall colors, something he had never seen before.
George Brown, Manager of Asset Services at Highlights and a great grandson of the founders, gave the Fon a tour of the editorial offices in Honesdale. The 3,000 copies of the magazine will be shipped from Columbus, Ohio to the Himalayan Institute, which arranges for the delivery to Cameroon.
In April, the Himalayan Institute sponssored a group of runners from Cameroon, who particpated in the Boston Marathon.
HONESDALE —
