“You are dismissed” – LESA USA Dissolved by School Hierarchy

By Innocent Chia  
If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, it is a duck… So long as there is LESA contained in the name of a group in the USA, it cannot raise funds or carry out any public activity on behalf of Our Lady of Lourdes College in Bamenda, Cameroon, until further notice. This is the essence of a November 22, 2012 press release from the office of Cardinal Tumi, citing the Proprietor of the College, following failed attempts at reconciling the belligerent ex-students who are camped into LESA Alumnae and LESA USA, Inc. While complimenting LESA Alumnae for stepping forward in a spirit of collaboration, it calls out the twin sister, LESA USA, Inc. for stalling the “reconciliation process” and “undermin(ing) its procedures”. In what the Chia Report qualifies as Rapid Response Letters to its members, sympathizers and sponsors, LESA USA Inc. has shown no signs of letting down, even amidst news of flock leaving the herd.

What got them here? The Genesis 
In the period spanning between 2008 and 2010, it is alleged that LESA USA raised over $100,000 (CFA 50,000,000 frs) for a water system project at their beloved Our Lady of Lourdes College, Bamenda. According to information gathered from serious and credible sources from within the Church and LESA USA, the execution of the project raised accounting concerns. The numbers were not adding up for some and there was a sense of brewing disenchantment within the group.

A second allegation had to do with a Scholarship Fund by LESA USA to benefit the education of the girl child at the School. According to unquestionable sources that have asked to remain anonymous, the funds were handed to a school official, instead of the Office of the Archbishop of Bamenda who is the Proprietor of the School. Allegedly, a list of students who had won this scholarship went into circulation. Their parents, however, did not see a change in their pocket books. They were paying the same school fees as the other students. These parents hit on the alarm button and started writing to the Church hierarchy and LESA USA complaining about the alleged hanky-panky.

The Split
Known as fundraising magnates within the Cameroonian community in the USA, the LESA USA household fragmented on their two signature projects – the water system project and the Scholarship scheme. The splintering of the ensemble was because some were questioning the numbers for the water project and the handling of the Scholarship fund. These “daredevils” eventually started what is now known as LESA Alumnae.

Numerically speaking, LESA Alumnae is smaller than the mother organization, LESA USA, Inc. Part of the reason for this, some sources claim, is that many initially viewed the Alumnae group as intransigent and insubordinate. Until now, questions remained largely unanswered as to why LESA Alumnae was unwilling to accept the explanation from the delegated party that took the water project finances to Cameroon. For example, it was explained that receipts for jobs in Cameroon are not as easy to get as one expects and obtains from a USA plumber or handyman, even for repairs as insignificant as a leak in your home. The lack of such receipts, proponents argue, explained the gaps.

The Reconciliation Process
Over the last several years of irreconcilable differences, both parties seemed to have not only hardened the rhetoric against each other but ratcheted the stakes by involving US courts and patent administration. The School and Church hierarchy in Cameroon decided it was time to stop the nonsense.

It is against this backdrop that his Eminence Christian Cardinal Tumi, on his recent visit touting the creation of a new Catholic University in Douala and launching of his new book – My Faith: A Cameroon to be renewed – called a meeting of representatives of both warring factions. The Cardinal was seating in on behalf of Archbishop Cornelius Esua of Bamenda, also proprietor of Our Lady of Lourdes College, Bamenda. The four hour meeting on November 13, 2012 was at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Baltimore. At the end of the conclave the parties came to the following agreement pending approval of the Archbishop Esua:

1)    “The immediate withdrawal of all litigations both from Court and the United States Patent and Trademark office;
2)    The creation of a transitional council of seven members which will be formed as follows:
i)    LESA USA, Inc. will submit names of three LESA Alumnae members and LESA Alumnae will submit names of three LESA USA, Inc. members to sit on the council.
ii)    The seventh member of the council will be chosen from a list of six members proposed by both sides from which His Eminence will choose the President of the transitional council. All names should be submitted to the cardinal in writing by Thursday , November 15, 2012.

The function of this council will be to govern the united LESA until the next general assembly in 2012 when the new national executive will be elected, presided by the Archbishop of Bamenda or his auxiliary, assisted by three men chosen by the ex-students.”  (See LESA Alumnae web page for the rest of the press release)

The Breakdown of the Reconciliation Process
According to the November 12, 2012 press release from the office of Cardinal Tumi ( Download PressRelease2LESA-1), LESA USA, Inc. “has decided to further deliberate over the propositions even after the Archbishop of Bamenda has approved of them, making them decisions”.

Indeed, in one of several defiant Rapid Response missives signed by the President of LESA USA, Inc., Enaka M. Yembe, M.D, to her flock, sympathizers and donors, she states:

“Yesterday you may have received a press release notifying you that LESA USA has been dissolved. Kindly note that LESA USA stands strong and intact.
 No "dissolution" of LESA USA ever occurred.
 Our Association is made up of over one hundred formidable Christian women. We stand strong, are full of zeal and are committed to using our God given talents and resources as well as sharing the gifts bestowed upon us by Our Heavenly Father to improve the lives of the girl child. We are most thankful to you our donors and patrons for your consistent and invaluable support.
We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in existence for over fourteen (14) years.
As you can confirm, our track record is clear and can never be expunged. Also, you know that our Association, LESA-USA, cannot be dissolved by the stroke of a pen. Any messages you receive to that effect are therefore immaterial...”

The Fallout
Sources are confirming that the movers and shakers of the Cameroon community in the Maryland area, including its biggest, most ardent donors at LESA events are appalled and are rallying away from LESA USA, Inc. as the leadership muscles against the Church.

Another alignment for the decision of the Cardinal and Archbishop Esua of the Bamenda Archdiocese is coming from the Chair of the Cameroon Catholic Community, Jude Ambe. In a November 23, 2012 mail, he writes:

“My dear LESANS, I want you all to understand that we share and feel your pain just as we do with the multitude of Associations and individuals in our community who refuse to make their differences and pain a matter of public consumption.… However, as a leadership team, we give deference to Church Authority and the manner and direction they have decided to chart in their attempt at solving and or managing the problems within LESA.”

But the hardest blow to the organization seems to be coming from within as wheels are falling off the cart. Members have either been sending in their letters of resignation or unsubscribing from LESA USA, Inc. group email.

The Standoff – The 2013 Golden Jubilee celebration of the College
In the November 22, 2012 unmasking press release from the Cardinal, erstwhile regarded as “spiritual director” by LESA USA, Inc., it is made clear that not only can there be no fundraiser by any LESA group in the USA, it expressly states that:

 (II) “LESANS in America willing to attend and participate in the upcoming celebration in Cameroon….should do so as individuals”

Meantime, the President of LESA USA, Inc. stayed unambiguous in her letter:

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, we will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of our beloved Alma Mater in the first week of January 2013 at Our Lady of Lourdes College in Bamenda. If you cannot make it to Cameroon in January, please join us in Atlanta, Georgia from June 13th to 16th, 2013 as we celebrate our Golden Jubilee again during our fourteenth annual convention. The Atlanta Airport Marriott Hotel has been contracted to host this event...

This is one convention you definitely do not want to miss.”

Conclusion – Affaire a suivre
As to the field of LESANS that I have been talking to for this report – from LESA Alumnae to LESA USA Inc and even Independents – this fight is all about the clash of egos within LESA USA and a wanton failure to understand and respect organizational bylaws,  procedures and hierarchy. As I thought about it I said to myself – “How apropos that the Cardinal has been out here talking about leadership crisis in Cameroon. Who are we to be insulting Biya when … we appoint friends to positions of responsibility not because of their know-how…a friend is made the financial secretary even though they failed Arithmetic in primary school and Math in Secondary School. How different are we? How different am I? How different are the organizations in which you and I are members?”

In the meantime, followers of the LESA USA, Inc. have to be asking themselves some tough questions, should they continue the standoff: 1) What is the mission statement of LESA USA, Inc. as submitted to the IRS? 2) If the Archdiocese in Bamenda or our Alma-Mater at Lourdes, supposedly beneficiaries of our Mission Statement and work, say we are no longer speaking for them, what legitimacy do we have in the eyes of the IRS? 3) Who does it benefit to continue the standoff - the Alma-Mater, the Archdiocese, LESA USA, or the leadership of LESA USA? 

I am reliably told that during the meeting in Baltimore the Cardinal told the representatives of both factions the following: a) Our Lady of Lourdes College existed before an Association of ex-students was formed and will exist whether or not there is an Association of Ex-students. b) Stay in your homes and take care of your husbands and families. 3) Finally, when you are successful at taking care of your homes, then you can give to the Church and to your Alma-mater. It is food for thought.

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Ntam Charles]

This is great reporting. Listen to the Cardinal in the last lines of this report. Behold!!! What a wise man. Having served the church as a leader for several years, he has seen greater storms,and has even calmed them. I think a group of overzealous self-serving women should rightly be sent back to where they belong. This is exactly what the wise Christian Cardinal Tumi rightly did. Long live Our Lady Of Lourdes,and may God watch over his true servants.

[Nellie Yanko]

The Hierarchy of the church should have nothing more than spiritual counseling and fervent prayers for the Alumni organizations. Dictatorship is out of the question. I cannot also come to the church and tell them to cast my brother out and take me. And even if I ask, they do not have to yield to me.
The Cardinal's proposal (He re-iterated, Proposal)was not bad and both sides were willing to work with it. The issue with LESA USA was the shot-gun timeline that had a real problem with the implication of dissolution. Then Cardinal got really Mad. LESA USA Inc. has a 14year track record. LESA Alumnae (breakaways) has been around for 2 years and their corporation (a shell of the main thing) has been around for 18 months. So you see why one could easily let go without far-reaching implications? Why did the Cardinal not just give them more time to ease into his proposals. Why the shot-gun wedding of two who do not trust eachother at all?

[RM]

Nellie Yanko,
U got it all wrong.Inc actually changed the motto of Lesa a 42 years Org in 2009 as well as the constition so based on that,they are truly the breakaway.The idea of lesa started from the parent branch and when they deviated,they should have rebranded.Think abt the early years of christianity.When a few decided to protest against the Catholic church,they renamed themselves protestants.In all honesty,Lesa Alum just helped to protect the ethos of what Lesa stands for and they rightfully own the 14 year history but as usual empty vessels make the loudest noise.Mine are facts u can take to the bank.
Peace.

[Shuffai Ahlen Mbinglo]

Bobe Chia
Your reporting on the current LESAN brouhaha is note worthy in its depth and facts. As a Sabesan it is difficult for me to offer any opinion on this subject but as far as the reconciliation goes, I understand why it cannot happen any time soon. Knowing some of the players involved in this drama, it will be difficult even for a clergyman the status of a Cardinal to resolve the differences. The LESA Alumnae has shown good faith and a willingness to seek a peaceful resolution to the present crisis and I applaud them for that. The truth is a conflict of this nature judging from experience is sustained and fed by ego, hate, envy, distrust, name calling and outright meanness.
I salute the Rev Cardinal for taking time off his book sales to attempt to resolve the crisis and I hope the resolution did take into account the input of the Board of Directors for these organizations; considering they are both non-for-profit and will require two thirds vote from the BOD to dissolve them. Just wondering out loud. You asked in concluding your report: Who does it benefit to continue the standoff - the Alma-Mater, the Archdiocese, LESA USA, or the leadership of LESA USA? My answer based on the facts is: the leadership of LESA USA. I hope many more members of the LESA USA see the light and join the path of unity and not be led blindly by leadership buried in EGO and a “sense pass king” attitude. My two cents.
Thanks again for a great reporting
Shufai

[Edwin]

Bobe Chia,
One does not need to read this article twice to know who you are rooting for. Objective reporting?
As a fervent Catholic, I can understand your position when people turn to "disrespect" the cardinals orders or even his recommendations but do note, that LESA USA president was responding to news that their organisation that has existed for over 14 years had been dissolved (already); that is even before the time laps given in the cardinal's recommendation.
You point out that "According to unquestionable sources that have asked to remain anonymous, the funds were handed to a school official, instead of the Office of the Archbishop of Bamenda who is the Proprietor of the School" as one of the main reasons for the fall out. This sounds like money raised by Nacho comprehensive ex-students have to be handed to Pa Nacho the proprietor or the rules are different when it comes to Church schools. How then do you expect the said "by-passed" proprietor to be objective when it comes to resolving issues with people that "bypassed" them.
As somebody living out of the US who did not even know that there were two LESA organisations in the US, I can only say; there is more to this than what you have said.

[Njang]

If in all honesty, His Emminence, Christian Cardinal Tumi uttered the words in the last paragraph of the above report, then LESAN USA members should bury their heads in shame. It is a smack in the face. ashiaoooooooooooh my dear sisters in Christ

[Malcolm]

Mean no disrespect, but the report is so one-sided, common. We're not expected to complain when CRTV journalists report about the Cameroon gov't, are we?

[John Chang]

No disrespect to the Cardinal or church hierarchy who should have no business meddling with the Catholic Alumni beyond their jurisdiction. These alumni organizations will respect these priests more if they just let them grow. Priests should do no more than counsel and pray for them to grow. I am a devout catholic and know the difference between truth and disrespect. BUT BOBE CHIA, you too.. who are you fooling with your one-sided article? IT is extremely slanted and compromises your integrity as a journalist..Bobe.

CAN THE CARDINAL JUST TELL LESANS WHY IT HAD TO BE A SHOT-GUN WEDDING? At least I understand both sides wanted ultimate peace and unity... Timeline was the issue. Now the mistrust has deepened. Is the Cardinal happy?

[Miss Yabz]

I am of the impression that this is highly inaccurate and one sided. Please it will be great for you to get your information and facts verified before writing a biased report as is typical with reports made in the diaspora. I am a LESAN and have been affected hugely by all the melodrama affecting this institution and it pains the heart to see wrong information being spread on a non-verified basis

[Jinsx]

From the prelate "Stay in your homes and take care of your husbands and families. Finally, when you are successful at taking care of your homes, then you can give to the Church and to your Alma-mater.

The disease that is spreading in our Cameroonian community was summarised in the words above by the prelate.

A country with people full of themselves. People who can't even keep a home and trying to be community leaders with no example to show. These so called girls/women only join the association for one reason-"show-off". This is exactly what happens to all Cameroonian associations in the USA. Tribal, cultural, religiuos, ex-students association are plauqued by the same ailment. Pride and empty show-off.

Thats what the prelate found in Cmaeroon, and thats what he found in LESA.

Stay at your homes, look after your families and come to the church as individuals, and remember whatever you give the church should be known by you alone.

[Banda Ngenge]

As one who has been and will continue to support LESA, aside from the issue at hand, i am disappointed that the CARDINAL thinks of our citizens who happen to be of different sex this way "Stay in your homes and take care of your husbands and families. 3) Finally, when you are successful at taking care of your homes, then you can give to the Church and to your Alma-mater" Is this a joke statement or the Cardinal actually said the above? Is the Cardinal, saying that these great women are only good to be in the Kitchen? come on Cardinal!

[Jinx]

Mr. Ngenge

If you read the cardinals statement again, there is no doubt about his advice to the ex-students. He does not suggest these women have to be in the kitchen. Whatever you describe as greatness is your matter, but to suggest that a brilliant man of God was advising women to stick with the kitchen is deliberately mis-representing him.

[Shesan]

I do not have the details of what is goingon with LESA and its internal quibblings. Howwever, in legal terms, the ArchBishop has no business dissolving LESA. Keep in mind that the students went to OUR LADY OF LOURDES SECONDARY SCHOOL. Once they graduate from there, they dont have any further affiliation with OLLSS. OLLSS is behind them. If they choose to form an association after they leave OLLSS, then that is their choice. OLLSS has no authority over that association. LESA was not formed by OLLSS and then franchised. Hence, the ArchBishop has no standing to dissolve LESA.