BOOKED SOLID / Pearland man set to open library in

Paper: Houston Chronicle Date: THU 04/11/2002 Section: ThisWeek Page: 1 Edition: 2 STAR BOOKED SOLID / Pearland man set to open library in Africa By KATRINA KATSARELIS, Houston Chronicle correspondent On any Saturday, college professor Michael Fonge of Pearland can be spotted sifting through stacks of books and magazines at garage sales, thrift stores and clearance sales. The Silverlake resident collects textbooks, children's books, cookbooks, medical books, novels ­ just about any kind of reading material ­ for a project that's dear to his heart. He is trying to establish the first real library in the African nation of Cameroon. The Buea Metropolitan Library, as Fonge calls it, is slated to open June 10. The facility will be the first of its kind in western Cameroon. "Cameroonians love to read, but books are very expensive there," said Fonge, 45, who was born and raised in Cameroon. "I want to help the community." Fonge, a sociology professor at Houston Community College and University of Houston, came up with the idea after noticing the lack of reading materials during a trip back to his home country. Start from small to big Fonge's project began with a pile of used books in his garage and a yearning to help people in his homeland. Five years later, he has more than 100,000 books that no longer fit in his two­car garage. Fonge has spent more than $60,000 out of pocket to purchase a building in Buea, books, furniture, used computers and other items needed to get a library off the ground.
To staff the library for a year, pay for utilities, buy computers and copiers, remodel the building for security, and pay shipping costs, Fonge hopes to raise an additional $90,000. "I think we who are not born in the U.S. have enjoyed a lot of luxuries here," he said. "It's time that we pass some to those who don't get the opportunities we do." Fonge is traveling to Cameroon in May for a six­week stay to stock books, hire staff and prepare the library to open. It takes a village Fonge was born and raised in the English­speaking community of Kumba. He grew up in extreme poverty ­ his feet didn't touch a pair of shoes until he was 13 years old. When he was 17, he hugged his mother goodbye and headed for Gardner Webb College in North Carolina. He didn't know that it would be their final embrace. Arriving in the United States in 1977 with little more than what he was wearing, Fonge soon attracted the attention of a local newspaper. North Carolina residents Byron and Jo Godfrey tracked down Fonge at school and offered him free room and board. At first, Fonge was suspicious of the couple's motives. "They were a white family in the '70s who took in a black man from Africa," he said. But the Godfreys were persistent and eventually convinced Fonge to stay with them. Soon, the couple and their three children became Fonge's second family. "They instilled in me the value that it is a must for me to help others," Fonge said. He who learns, teaches Fonge transferred to the University of Houston in 1978. He worked his way through college as a taxicab driver. After receiving his doctorate degree, Fonge became a sociology professor. By the time he was able to return to Cameroon in the '80s, his mother had died. Fonge suspects she died of complications from diabetes ­ a growing health problem in Cameroon ­ although the actual cause of death is unknown. Returning to Cameroon as an educator, Fonge became aware of the lack of reading materials. During one of his trips, he brought a shipment of books he had collected and distributed them to schools, hospitals and the local prison. The response was so overwhelming that he was determined to do more. Sharing the load
Fonge's wife of 21 years, Anne, who also is a Cameroon native, works two jobs to help pay for books and equipment. "Honestly, from the beginning I wasn't supportive of the project because it really costs a lot of money," she said. Eventually she felt compelled to help with the project. "Mike is always wanting to help people and do things for people. That's the kind of person he is," she said. The Fonges' children, Susan, 18, and John, 16, also are involved in the project. Both help sort, box, label and prepare stacks of books for shipment to a warehouse. Mike Fonge also relies on a small network of friends and supporters. Half Price Books of Clear Lake, one of Fonge's largest contributors, has donated more than 50,000 books over the past year. "We really support him and it makes us feel good to help," said Cynthia Schoelman of the Clear Lake store. "We've even had customers come in and donate computers for Dr. Mike's Africa project." James Ohamua, who owns a Houston export company, donated a 4,000­square­foot warehouse to store the books and furnishings until they're ready to ship. "It's a good cause. He's getting books to people who need them," Ohamua said. Fonge's sociology students at Houston Community College and University of Houston have donated books and magazines. After the Buea library opens, Fonge plans to open more libraries in other parts of Cameroon. "If I can help one child better himself or herself by reading, then my mission is accomplished," Fonge said. He is accepting donations of all kinds. He is seeking textbooks and medical books, children's books, novels, computers and copiers. For more information, contact Fonge at P.O. Box 263415, Houston, TX 77207, or call 281­451­9640. E­ mail messages may be sent to: [email protected]. Copyright notice: All materials in this archive are copyrighted by Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspapers Partnership, L.P., or its news and feature syndicates and wire services. No materials may be directly or indirectly published, posted to Internet and intranet distribution channels, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed in any medium. Neither these materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and non­commercial use.