If there is anything that intrigues me, it is people’s motivations behind selfless deeds and altruistic acts. What motivates you? What fuels your passion? What is your “Why”? The answers are usually the source of a myriad of heartwarming, unforgettable and emotive stories.
Hon. ARK Crown Ambassador Sir Clement was born on 10 October 1971 in Mbouda, the capital city of the Bamboutos Division in Western Cameroon in Central Africa. He is the last born from a family of 8 children, 5 males and 3 females. However, due to challenging childhood memories of Cameroon, he moved to South Africa and has been living in Mpumalanga province with his beautiful wife and children, for more than 10 years.
When Crown Ambassador Sir Clement Monfouo approached me with his story, I was so moved by the warmth in his voice as he was sharing his “Why.” I was the teary one, as he valiantly spoke with his signature smile that translated the words, “I am healed and in a good place now.” I remember asking him whether he wanted me to share everything he told me, and his response was a bold “Yes, this is my story.”
This past week as South Africa celebrated June 16 and other holidays over the weekend, Sir Clement hosted a Drug Awareness campaign, a topic he feels very strongly about. “This is a concerning issue for the youth in our communities, they get trapped easily by lies because so many of them know little to nothing about illicit drugs, and they get hooked before they realise what's going on,” said Sir Clement.
“I believe that education is the only way we can prevent our youth from falling victim, by helping them to make informed choices,” he continued. 1876 Truth About Drugs booklets and 24 Information Kits were distributed at the Youth Day awareness campaign. However, his passion for the youth goes deeper than this one campaign.
“For 11 years of my life, I was a victim of child trafficking and child abuse. I was taken by my eldest brother from my biological parents when I was 9 years old. The assumption was that he was helping my poor parents by supporting my education,” but little did Sir Clement know that the city of Ebolowa, the capital city of the Southern Region of Cameroon was going to feel like 11 years of captivity, until the day he built up the courage to leave at the age of 20.
Despite 11 years of despair, Sir Clement was brilliant at school and was able to later start a welding company. In 2009 he decided to move to South Africa after learning about the country’s struggle and the release of Tata Nelson Mandela. He was determined and inspired to start afresh in South Africa, even though he didn’t know where to start.
Sir Clement worked with a few companies, but he never felt fulfilled, until a friend of his introduced him to YHRI (Youth for Human Rights International). In the year 2019, he later found other courses such as the 19 Tools for Life courses. This was the beginning of his healing, a time when he finally found fulfilment and a sense of purpose.
Today, our dear Sir Clement is a Human Rights advocate who runs his awareness campaigns through his NPO; in partnership with local police, other NPOs and NGOs, local libraries, churches and schools.
He has taken it upon himself to try and prevent as many children as possible from falling victim to what he went through as a child. He has visited more than 37 schools, reached more than 80 000 people, and distributed more than 50 000 copies of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights booklets to the youth in schools and communities. He has also distributed more than 7000 copies of The Truth About Drugs booklets, 150 Educator's kits, and more than 500 information kits, and he has trained more than 250 people on Life Skills courses.
Our team of Crown Ambassadors are grateful to have him as a part of our family, and the young people in the communities of South Africa's Mpumalanga and North West region are blessed to have him as a mentor.
He plans to take his passion for Human Rights throughout South African communities and Africa. Press play on the video above to view a few pictures of this kindhearted human's journey as a Human Rights advocate.
What is your “Why?” 🙂
Thank you CA Lady Ondela for sharing this story. Thank you Hon ARK Crown Ambassador Sir Clement, Greatness, as CO Lady Marlene calls you. I clearly see why she refers to you as her "favorite humanitarian"! Thank you for using your life to help so many others! Blessings!