Dates and events

The Focolare Movement in Fontem

(a few selected dates)

1963	Lucio, Nicasio and Danilo arrive in Cameroon
21-25 June 1965	Chiara’s first journey to Cameroon and meets with Msgr. Julius Peeters
16 January 1966	The Fon and the chiefs of Fontem write to Bishop Peeters accepting the conditions for the arrival of the focolarini. The Focolare town will be built in Nveh on the land of Chief Forchap
6 February 1966	Lucio and the first focolarini arrive in Belleh
16 March 1966	The government gives permission to open Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom College
17-20 June 1966	Chiara visits Cameroon for the second time
17 June 1966	Chiara meets Msgr. Peeters in Buea
18 June 1966	Chiara visits Fontem for the first time
19 June 1966	The laying of the foundation stone of the hospital, MHA.
13 September 1966	Inauguration of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College
1 August 1967	Work begins on the hydroelectric plant with Piero Pasolini
17-23 January 1969	Chiara visits Cameroon for the third time and Fontem for the second for the inauguration of the second section of the hospital
February 1969	Birth of “Africa Project”, an engagement of youth in developòent
4 October 1969	Marilen Holzhauser arrives in Fontem with Fr. Foresi
20 January 1970	Fr. Adolfo Raggio arrives in Fontem
Easter 1970	Laying of the foundation stone of St Clare’s Church
14-18 December 1972	The first Mariapolis in Fontem
1974	Work on St. Clare’s Church is ended
12 January 1975	Inauguration of St. Clare’s Church
17 November 1976	Inauguration of the dispensary in Fonjumetaw. The Focolare in Fonjumetaw
7 April 1982	Death of Fon Defang
27 April 1982	Lucas Njifua becomes the Fon of Fontem
1983	Maternity ward of MHA is inaugurated
1989-1995	12 roads are opened to connect some villages
1994	Inauguration of Unity road between Fotabong and Besali
1999	Fontem comes under the newly created diocese of Mamfe. The first Bishop is Msgr. Francis Teke Lysinge
1-18 May 2000	Chiara visits Fontem for the third time and launches the “New Evangelisation”