WE ARE THE WORLD: MAKE A CHANGE

We are the World today and our children are the World tomorrow, how can we make it a better place for our children to reign in?

Micheal Jackson’s passing touched the DC crew a whole lot and in some ways has inspired a soul searching moment where we each have had to look at ourselves and think: what am I doing to contribute to this World?

What am I doing today to contribute to tomorrow?

Our dear readers and fellow visitors, this post today aims to make you think deeper than maybe you usually do, it aims to give you an awareness that all is not right with our World today, it also wants to draw you out of your comfort zone and into a spot that is unfamiliar, hostile and impoverished.

There are so many steps that YOU can make to help another, to put a smile on someone’s face, to give someone HOPE and to make someone worthy and equipped to face the tomorrow they do not know. However small, as they say, every little counts!

What can YOU do?

Neighbour:

You can start with your neighbour. As the Bible says, LOVE thy neighbour as thyself.

Why don’t you knock on your neighbour’s door and check on them to see if they are ok.

Why don’t you see if they need anything, their shopping done? Clothes washed or ironed? Meals cooked? Or maybe a chat?

Why don’t you invite them for brunch? Lunch? Dinner? Sunday roast? Church?

Why don’t you surprise them, bake a cake? Give them flowers?

This is vital especially in this Western society where everyone lives behind closed doors and you can spend months even years without seeing your neighbour.

Sponsor a child:
There are many schemes / organisations that provide this facility. Why don’t you choose one, investigate them by asking questions and then see how you can contribute to making a child of today the leader of tomorrow.

http://www.worldvision.org/

www.soschildrenvillages.org.uk/sponsor-a-child/

http://www.makeachildsmile.org/

http://www.orphancareintl.org/

http://www.helpchildrenwithaids.org/

www.unitedactionforchildren.org/sponsor_a_child

http://www.sponsorachild.org/

http://www.capecam.org/ (Cameroon based)

http://www.missionschoolofhope.org/ (Cameroon based)

http://www.okalafoundation.org/ (Cameroon based)

You can sponsor a cousin, a niece, a nephew, a friend’s child or even a neighbour’s child in Cameroon. YOU decide at least it is close to home.

Visits:

You can choose to visit:
Old people’s homes (Care Homes)
Hospitals
Sick homes
Prisons
Youth Institutions etc

Mentoring:
Why don’t you share your skills, talent, ideas, motivation with the younger generation?
Befriend a Young offender and help them rehabilitate.
Go into schools and find out their mentoring programmes and see if you can contribute.
Do you sing? Why not give singing lessons / classes to some youths?
Do you dance? Why not dancing lessons?
Do you play an instrument? Why not teach that?
Do you love theatre and directing? Why not gather some kids around in your neighbourhood and put together a play?
Mentoring is all about leading, directing, motivating, encouraging, building and acquiring self appreciation.

There are so many things YOU can do to make a change, anything is something. And in the quote by Hellen Keller shared with Dulce Camer by Amabel Niba, editor of African Vibes Magazine, "I am only one but still I am one, I cannot do everything but still I can do something and because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do".

Get up and do something
We are the World, We are the children.
Thank you
Dulce
xxx
(Picture above taken from http://www.amanikids.org/)

FETE ATELIER, C'EST ICI LA FETE COMMENCE

If uniqueness and a touch of class is what you seek for your event, then Fete Atelier is the place to go. They partner with their clients to create an event that reflects their personalities and sense of style. From a dramatic touch to a simple yet elegant look that will turn any dream into reality.

They promise you a memorable fete with elegant designs, impeccable service and an exceptional attention to detail.

Here is an interview they gave to DC. Happy Reading y’all!


DC: WHAT IS THE CONCEPT OF FETE ATELIER?
FA: FA is a full service event planning and design studio (services include event design and décor, florals, and stationery). We are a woman-owned and operated enterprise that takes pride in planning and executing unique and impeccable events to meet each client’s individual needs.

DC: WHO ARE THE FACES BEHIND FETE ATELIER AND WHAT IS THEIR CONTRIBUTION?
FA: Liz Agbor-Tabi and Akua Ardayfio are the ladies behind FA. Liz is responsible for driving the company’s creative focus and Akua works primarily on financial and strategic development. We also partner with an exclusive group of freelance artists and consultants to meet each client’s specific needs.


DC: HOW DID YOU TWO MEET?
FA: We met at a wedding through our then fiances and now spouses who have been long- time friends and during the peaks of our own wedding planning process. How serendipitous? Soon after we met, we realised that we shared a love for impeccably executed events and a desire to turn our passions into a profitable, sustainable business. Our initial meeting evolved into a friendship that was the perfect backdrop for the development and subsequent launching of fete atelier.

DC: HOW DOES YOUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP AS FRIENDS HELP YOUR BUSINESS?
FA: Akua and I have different, yet complementary personalities. I am more visual and she is more sensory and logical. I am artsy, adventurous and exuberant- she does a great job of grounding me. We share many fundamental beliefs, are passionate about our craft, driven and highly motivated go getters. We are both women of faith who love the Lord. Our relationship allows us to celebrate our differences while capitalizing on our combined strength. Coupled with great communication, this makes for a mutually beneficial business and personal relationship.

DC: WHY DID YOU START FETE ATELIER?
FA: We recognised a need in the marketplace for elegant yet affordable event solutions for the discerning client that appreciates attention to detail, special touches and a personalised and unique approach to event planning. Our mission was to provide an outlet where each event would reflect each client’s unique vision and style.

DC: WHAT MARKETING STRATEGIES HAVE YOU ADOPTED TO GET YOUR BUSINESS OUT THERE?
FA: We have harnessed the power of social networking and e-marketing tools. In addition, as an organisation, we believe strongly in cause-related marketing and have partnered with several philanthropic organisations as donors as well as offered our services pro bono. This enables a targeted approach to reaching our targeted client base.

DC: WHAT ARE YOUR PREVIOUS PROFESSIONS AND ACADEMIC BACKGROUND?
FA: We hold graduate degrees from Tufts University and the Johns Hopkins University respectively
Akua: I have a background in international economics and have worked both in the public and private sectors in the area of business development and strategic planning. Putting together aesthetically pleasing and exquisite events has always been a passion. Fete Atelier allows me to marry my strong business acumen and creativity.
Liz: I have a background in healthcare and public health policy. I have worked at the national and local levels in policy development, strategic planning and project management while freelancing as a floral designer and planner. Previous positions prepared me for my current role as managing partner of Fete Atelier.

DC: ANY TRAINING IN EVENTS MANAGEMENT & FLOWER ARRANGEMENT?
FA: We have a combined total of over 7 years of experience in floral design, crafts and event planning. We both share a life long passion for creating aesthetically pleasing “celebrations” and are innate planners.

DC: HOW EASY OR DIFFICULT WAS IT TURNING FETE ATELIER FROM A PASSION INTO A BUSINESS?
FA: The transition from passion to business was not an easy one! The creation of FA was a labour of love. Because we felt so strongly about this company, and believed in the vision and direction that we had- we handled each challenge with poise and grace. We were most confident that we were headed in the right direction and therefore had no reservations. We are both very hands on. Together we worked on everything from scratch; from raising the seed capital to designing a logo, website and an identity for our company and filing all of the necessary legal documents, we were relentless in our efforts. We spent tireless days and nights to get this company off the ground and are very proud of our success thus far.

DC: HOW DO YOU SOURCE YOUR SUPPLIERS?
FA: We have a rigourous selection process for our suppliers and work only with the industry’s best to ensure that our clients receive the highest quality products to meet their desired vision and budgets. One of our talents is in finding quality products and creative solutions across a wide array of price points to meet the individual demands of each client.

DC: WHAT IS THE SECRET OF HAVING A GOOD BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP IN YOUR OPINION?
FA: Communication, attention to detail, a commitment to understanding and meeting the clients’ needs.

DC: THE MAJORITY OF CAMEROONIANS HAVE NOT YET SEEN THE POTENTIAL OF HAVING AN EVENTS ORGANISER TAKE CONTROL OF THEIR PARTIES OR WEDDINGS...HOW DO YOU HOPE TO CONQUER THIS?
FA: With incremental exposure to our industry through voices like ours, Cameroonians will become more open to utilising event planners. The professionalism and ease of execution that a planner brings to the event planning process can not be underscored. A good planner provides seamless support and makes entertaining a joy for their client. They de- stress planning and can turn dreams into reality and will often exceed the client’s expectations. At FA, our work speaks for itself, we bring this and much more to event planning. We hope that as more Cameroonians are exposed to the quality and calibre of our work, they will become more open to the services that an event planner can provide.

DC: WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR BUSINESS HEADING IN 5 YEARS TIME?
FA: We hope to have a stronghold in the industry and to become an easily recognisable name. We believe in infusing our clients’ personalities, cultures, and way of life into events that truly reflect them and our goal is that this approach to event planning will set us apart and we will be known as a leader in this specialised approach both here and abroad.

DC: WOULD YOU VENTURE INTO CAMEROON?
FA: We would love to! We are looking for the right opportunity and partnerships and collaborations. We feel we could play a vital role in revolutionising wedding, social, and corporate event planning in Cameroon.

DC: WHAT ARE YOUR PERSONAL AMBITIONS AND GOALS?
FA: To expand our business to become internationally recognised as a premiere provider for wedding, corporate and social event planning services.

DC: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE HOPING TO START AN EVENTS MANAGEMENT COMPANY?
FA: First impressions matter, follow your passion, we cannot underscore; details, details, details! Must pay attention to details!

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If you are looking for an events planner to revolutionise your party, wedding or corporate event then why not contact the Fete Atelier girls!

Check out their website here: http://www.feteatelier.com/

Email: info@feteatelier.com

Liz: liz@feteatelier.com

Akua: akua@feteatelier.com

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DC: Dulce Camer

FA: Fete Atelier

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To the visitors and readers who have helped us reach the 13,000 mark, thanks for continually checking the blog and thanks too to the 20 members who follow us. We aim to make Dulce Camer the number one Entertainment and Culture blog.

Thanks for your support.

Camer for life!

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Stay sweet

Dulce

xxx

BRING BACK MAKOSSA CAMPAIGN...WEEK 1

Our bring back Makossa campaign officially kick starts today the first friday of July and each friday thereafter throughout these cool summer months!
We aim to create an atmosphere worthy for you to sit down and reminisce about the good old days when music touched you deep down your soul and made you either wanna cry for joy or leap or sway in happiness.

Before the video, here is a little history about the Makossa genre.

Makossa is a type of music that is most popular in urban areas in Cameroon. It is similar to soukous, except that it includes strong bass rhythm and a prominent horn section.

Makossa originated from a type of Duala dance called kossa, with significant influences from jazz, ambasse bey, Latin music, highlife and rumba.

While the makossa style began in the 1950s, the first recordings were not seen until a decade later. Artists such as Eboa Lotin, Misse Ngoh and especially Manu Dibango popularised the style outside of Cameroon in the late 1960s. Makassi is a lighter style of makossa. Sam Fan Thomas developed and popularised this variation in the mid-1980s and made makossa potentially more marketable.

The two musicians largely credited with modernising makossa are Manu Dibango and Emmanuel Nelle Eyoum. Eyoum start using the term 'kossa, kossa' in his songs with his group Los Calvinos. But it was Emmanuel 'Manu' Dibango who popularised it to the world with his song "Soul Makossa", which came out in the early 1970s.

The chant from the song, 'mamako, mamasa, maka makossa', was later used by performers such as Michael Jackson, in “Wanna Be Startin' Something”; Eminem, in "Doe Rae Me"; Back To Basics, in "Mamakossa"; the Bloodhound Gang, in "Mama Say"; Rihanna, in "Don't Stop the Music"; Chico Science, in "Samba Makossa"; and El Chojin, in "Algo más que música" ("Something More than Music").

Ok… so the first artist to launch this campaign has to be none other than the godfather of Makossa and jazz, Mr Manu Dibango with the one and the only most sampled song...Mamako…Mamasa…. Makossa....

Here is Soul Makossa...enjoy!



References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makossa
Picture from:http://www.theloveunlimited.com/

Don’t forget to check Dulce Camer every Friday cos we are bringing back Makossa onto the streets and into your hearts!
Stay sweet
Dulce
xxx

THE "BRING BACK MAKOSSA" CAMPAIGN IS ON DC

During this coool summer months, Dulce Camer will hereby bring you a campaign that will get you reminiscing and swaying to some hot makossa tunes!

Every friday from tomorrow will be a "Bring back Makossa" day where you can request in your favourite makossa artists or makossa songs and we will upload the videos for you to sit back, relax and enjoy or we will do the choosing for you!

To get requesting, email brownschuga@googlemail.com or leave a message on our facebook group : http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=107852460560&ref=ts or leave your request as a comment below.

Join in and help us bring Makossa back to the streets and our memories!

Dulce

xxx

WHO IS PHILEMON YANG?

June 14, 1947: Philémon Yunji Yang was born in Jiketum-Oku, located in the Bui division of North West Province. Studies Law at the University of Yaoundé and goes on to become a prosecutor at the Court of Appeal in Buea.

January 1975: He was appointed as Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration.

November 1979: Made Minister of Mines & Energy.

February 1984: Excluded from government after another reshuffle.

October 1984: Was made an Ambassador to Canada (later changed to High Commissioner when Cameroon joined the Commonwealth of Nations in 1995). Serves in this position for more than 20 years and also served as a Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Canada for about 10 years.

December 2004: Appointed as Assistant Secretary General of the Presidency of Cameroon.

June 2009: Made Prime Minister of Cameroon.

All information courtesy of http://sthweb.bu.edu/
Picture courtesy of http://www.bilcam.net/

QUESTION OF THE DAY:
What in your opinion does it mean to be a PM in Cameroon? Please, leave your responses in the comments section below. You do not have to have an account with blogger. You can leave your comments anonymously as well! Thanks!

More updates pending
Dulce
xxx

YES PRIME MINISTER!

According to reports today, a former diplomat by the name of Philemon Yang is Cameroon's new Prime Minister following the government reshuffle by President Biya.

No reason was given for the removal of Ephraim Inoni who had served as Prime Minister for four years.

More updates pending.
Dulce
xxx

THE KING OF POP IS NO MORE

Micheal Jackson, dubbed the King of Pop is no longer with us. He passed away last night at 10.26 British time at the age of 50.

It was about midday LA time when paramedics were called to his mansion after allegedly suffering a heart attack.

He was transported to UCLA a few minutes from his mansion where doctors battled for over an hour to save his life but later pronounced him dead.

The cause of death is still unknown but his body has been flown to the LA coroner's office by helicopter for a post mortem. It is suspected that he may have overdosed on prescription medication.

Michael Jackson was due to headline a 50 date comeback tour at the 02 Arena in London starting next month. This tour was meant to restore his status as the ultimate and the only King of Pop and it was also a chance for his fans to see him one last time on stage. Tickets for the shows sold out within hours.

Michael Jackson lived his entire life in the glare of the media and this continued right to his untimely death.....LONG LIVE THE KING OF POP. Fans and stars pour in their tribute.

Feel free to share with Dulce Camer your thoughts.

His music will surely live on...






You died too soon, may you Rest in Perfect Peace.
Dulce
xxx