Mbok I Bankon I America, Inc. (MBIA, Inc) has operated as a socio-cultural entity that evolved into a non-profit organization working to preserve the rich Bankon culture and traditions while extending needed assistance to various communities in Cameroon and the United States. MBIA, Inc conjures an image of a community that reminds its members of their heritage. It cultivates environments in which its members and partners can collaborate to promote viable community-building goals.
MBIA, Inc, therefore, is an organization that encourages individual and group attention, care, and where sociocultural respect prevails. It is an organization that is always willing to work with individuals, local communities, school systems, colleges and universities, and other organizations committed to human and community development.
To increase the opportunities for Bankon and other local communities through a variety of activities that underscore a commitment to development and community building.
Mbok I Bankon I America, Inc. (MBIA, Inc) operates as a non-profit association committed to a variety of charitable programs intricately linked to education and other facets of socio-cultural development. MBIA works singularly and collaboratively to address the needs of communities in Cameroon and the United States. It generates financial and in-kind resources as well as provides its expertise in the pursuit of community building and development initiatives in Cameroon and the United States. MBIA is an association dedicated to the values of voluntarism and service to others.
MBIA (i) embarks on need-based programs to local communities in the Bankon region; (ii) facilitates and supports the movement of services and goods to designated populations in the United States and Bankon communities; and (iii) celebrates its rich cultural heritage and commitment to family.
The Bankon subdivision composed of 38 communities is located to the north of both Dibombari and the Wouri estuary in the Littoral Province. It is bordered by the Mbo and Bassa language communities to the north, by Balong to the west and the Douala to the south and east. The Bankon subdivision is made up of 14 communities in the North (Abo Nord) and 24 communities in the South (Abo Sud). The people speak a language with a similar name and are part of the Bantu people cluster. It is noteworthy that different groups of Bankon people use Douala, English, French, and Pidgin as a second language. Some alternate names of the Bankon people include Bo, Abaw/Abo, and Bon. It is generally believed that the ancestors of the Bankon people originally migrated from the Congo. The Bankon region is heavily influenced by Christianity. It is estimated that 90% of the people subscribe to some form of Christianity (Roman Catholicism: 68%; Protestants: 5%; Other Christian groups: 17%), and Indigenous religions: 10%. It is interesting to note that one of the prayer-wishes directly connected to MBIA’s raison d’être is that:
“…. wealthy Bankon [Abo} people who have moved away to big cities and other countries will have a burden on their hearts to invest in the lives of their people, improving the quality of life through language development and community development.” (An extract from People and Language Detail Report, 2005).
The Bankon people place a high premium on literacy. It is estimated that over 50% of Bankon people are proficient in a second language. It is a community that values education and the spiritual development of its members. The richness of the Bankon culture is evident in its history, language, music, food as well as a strong commitment to family. As MBIA focuses on development projects, it recognizes the integral and important role of language. It is not simply the ability to speak Bankon, but an appreciation of how this unique form of communication captures the spirit of a people and community. Equally important, the music and food of the region magnifies its vitality and generosity.
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