How Cameroon locals, others paid for slain LGBT leader’s funeral
The church was packed for the funeral of journalist/activist Eric Ohena Lembembe. (Photo by Camfaids)
Donations from around the world
Many people from Cameroon and at least seven other countries helped pay for the funeral of journalist and activist Eric Lembembe, who was murdered last month.
The following summary of funds donated to and spent on the funeral of Aug. 2-3 was prepared by three Cameroonian organizations combating discrimination against sexual minorities, including Camfaids (the Cameroonian Foundation for AIDS), where Lembembe was the executive director.
A total of 2,677,000 CFA francs (US $5,410 or €4,060) was donated.
Donations were received from many people in Cameroon, as well as from Kenya, Burkina Faso and Nigeria. Donations also came from the United States, France, the United Kingdom and Australia.
A total of 2,412,850 CFA francs (US $4,880 or €3,660) was spent on the funeral, including items such as the hearse, flowers, security, candles, coffin, grave, grave diggers, chairs and morgue expenses.
That leaves 264,200 CFA francs (US $530 or €400), which will be used to start paying the expenses of providing security for the new coalition of gay-friendly associations in Yaoundé. The coalition includes Camfaids, Humanity First Cameroon (HFC) and Affirmative Action (AA).
The financial report was prepared by:
- Louis Michel Engama, head of finance and administration for Camfaids
- Louis Bidima, head of finance and administrative director for HFC
- Serge Thierry Amba, financial and administrative officer for AA
Fact-checked by:
- J. Ella Ella Etiel, executive coordinator of Camfaids
- Jules Tamba Eloundou, president of HFC
- Serges Yotta, executive director of AA
With the supervision of:
- Dominique Menoga Nanga, president of Camfaids
by Colin Stewart
Source – Erasing 76 Crimes
