The History of Bafut Manjong Los Angeles Chapter
The Bafut Manjong Cultural Association of Los Angeles (BMCA-LA) serves as a vital link for Bafut citizens and supporters throughout Southern California. Our community originates from Bafut, a region near Bamenda in Cameroon’s North West Region. Despite a rich heritage, Bafut faces significant developmental hurdles, including limited access to clean water, electricity, and modern educational resources. For generations, Bafut parents have made immense sacrifices, laboring as petit farmers to provide their children with the education necessary for a brighter future.
Those sacrifices have borne fruit, producing a resilient first generation of college graduates. Today, many of these individuals reside in Los Angeles, where they balance the challenges of the Western world with a deep-rooted commitment to developing the homeland they left behind. The journey of the Bafut community in Los Angeles began with informal gatherings in the late 1980s and early 1990s, often centered at the residence of the late Dr. Ndiyob. As our numbers grew and the community became more cohesive, the need for a formal organization became clear.
In October 2003, BMCA-LA was officially founded at the residence of Mama Veronica Mabifor and Anna Manna. This milestone marked the start of a unified effort to promote Bafut culture, tackle socio-economic issues, and provide resources to those in need—not just in Cameroon, but globally. Our mission is built on the belief that by working together, we can alleviate substandard living conditions and create lasting change for the less fortunate.
BMCA-LA is a fully incorporated non-profit organization in the state of California and a registered 501(c)(3) public charity. We rely on the generosity of our supporters to fund critical initiatives, including water and electricity projects, healthcare supplies, and orphanages. All contributions to BMCA-LA are tax-deductible, helping us continue our work to better the world, one project at a time.
After the formation of BMCA – LA, the next step was to incorporate the organization. This was done with the Secretary of State of California. We then applied for a non-profit status. We were granted the 501 3 status for public charity by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). We are a fully functional non-profit cultural organization with rights to accept free will donations. Free will donations have been our main source of support in carrying out our activities. Your donations are tax deductible.
