Cameroon:
Weeklong activities lined up for final farewell to late philanthropist, Henriette Thatcher

Final preparations are afoot for the burial of late Cameroonian philanthropist and writer, Henriette Nshan affectionately referred to as Henriette Thatcher.

In prelude to the final journey, collaborators and well wishers home and abroad have laid down a number of activities including vigils and tribute sessions to honour her life and legacy.

The first wake will be held in her honour in Douala on March 23 without the corpse.

Another, a virtual wake will be held on March 24, hosted by philanthropist, Delly Singah Phillips and will feature tributes in many forms including poems and speeches.

A final wake, still without corpse, will be held on March 25 in Limbe, South West Region, followed by a Requiem Mass on March 26.

She will be laid to rest on Saturday, March 27 in her native Mekaf village in Menchum Division, North West Region.


*Philanthropist beyond measure*

Of her many qualities and attributes, many would remember Henriette for her availability and open-handed nature.

Always ready to give the little she had to secure the comfort of others, it was an act of love she preached and practiced right to her death bed.

“Remember to help people in need. There is pleasure and satisfaction to put smiles on the faces of those in distress. Bye,” were Henriette’s last words, as recounted by her sister, Dong Immaculate.

While there will always be philanthropists, few can accurately fill the vacuum left by the deceased in the hearts of many.

In addition to fighting for the weak and downtrodden, she never ceased to use her story as a life lesson for all willing to listen.

Some of her experiences and their lessons are chronicles in her book A beautiful soul in hell.

“… We hoped for the better. She left us today for the beyond,” Ayah Foundation head, Ayah Abine said of her demise.

Similar emotions were expressed by other humanitarians and philanthropists with many regretting what would become of their joined initiatives.