I recently learned my true date of birth is May 10, 1970. I discovered it on a script written by my uncle left in an old box. For most of my life I thought it was September 13th. My parents cannot read or write. When they took me for Baptism, the priest asked when I was born. They told him, "last year during the weeding season," and approximated a date in mid-September.
I am Lon Emmanuel Fale, a Roman Catholic priest of the Diocese of Kumbo, Northwest Region of Cameroon. I was born to Mr. Damian Tulah Lon and Mrs Julita Jeh, the fourth of 6 children. My older brother completed elementary school. My two older sisters did not go to school at all.
When I was eight, I decided to go to school without the knowledge of my parents. I was taking doctrine lessons for First Holy Communion. Lessons started at 6 am, and school followed at 8.45 am. I was very strange when I arrived: no shoes, no uniform, no books, no school fees, no parental permission, no English. The school year was already half way through. The teacher asked me, "What are you doing here? My answer was simple, "I have come to school." She told me to go home. My response was, " I am determined to go to school" The next question, "Who will pay?" I did not know. I just felt an inner push telling me to go to school, and it seemed inappropriate for me to stay home while friends were in school. All I can say is that God was directing me.
That evening I spent the night at my uncle's house, for fear of my parents since I hadn't returned home as expected. Being good parents, they came looking for me. After assuring me that they were going to be kind, I went home with them; a distance of about 3 miles. I would cover that distance on foot every day to and from school, in dews, in the sun, or in the rain for seven years. We managed to make enough money for my school fees: my parents sacrificed, sold crops; my father was an herbalist and could cure some people; my older brother did manual labor; friends gave from time to time; I walked 10 to 20 miles to the market in order to sell foodstuffs. This continued until I became a priest. I attended Major Seminary for the priesthood and earned bachelor's degrees in Philosophy and Theology. Presently, I am doing a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture.
When I come across children in my Diocese who are in the same situation as mine, I become very concerned. I feel really sympathetic seeing good, intelligent and happy children with a bleak future. With my meager priest's allowance of about $400 per year, I can only do a little. I still am unable to help my parents who have sacrificed so much for my education. I have gone to big cities in Cameroon to beg for donations, and some people really give. With this, I have been able to help a number of children reach a certain level of education. Some have completed university. I try to help all, including my own nieces and nephews, but am so limited in means. This is why I intend to create an awareness of such situations and call and beg on everyone of good will to please help in providing a means for these children and bring them to light.
Be assured that your gifts, given wholeheartedly and from a generous heart, will yield abundant reward from the Almighty and surprisingly, you will have even more than you had expected. May God bless you all who read this message with a sincere and generous heart.
