The Forlem Gilbert Project was the first project undertaken by some classmates of Forlem Gilbert back in 2008, after his untimely death, at the hands of law enforcement officers who were trying to quell demonstrations at the University of Buea and its environs.
Gilbert was born in August 1976 to hard working parents who are from the Northwest region of Cameroon. His parents, just like many others in Cameroon, did not have it easy raising Gilbert and his siblings as they struggled financially to make ends meet. Gilbert was the first son, and the one whom his parents thought his siblings will depend on for a brighter future. At the time of his death in April 2005, he was a post graduate Geology student at the University of Buea, working towards his masters degree. It was reported by some who were close to him that he was on his way to pick up a corrected version of his thesis from his supervisor, and had barely left his room when he was gunned down by a police officer.
The government of Cameroon took a harsh approach to stop peaceful protests brought on by students at the university who were seeking changes that would improve educational conditions. Unfortunately, Gilbert was one of two students who were reportedly killed during these protests.
About 3 years after his death, some of his classmates saw the need of providing some support to his parents and siblings, after learning of the financial hardship that the family was enduring. This led to a coordinated effort which was later called the Forlem Gilbert Project, where the sum of 310,000 cfa was raised from donations around the globe from former classmates and well wishers. A delegation of his former classmates took the money to his parents’ residence in Bamenda, surprising them with the financial support. The visit was filled with emotional remembrance of Gilbert, with his father describing his son as “a good boy who follows instructions”, while in tears. He went on to describe how difficult it had been to put his son through school from class one upto the masters degree level only for him to be snatched by the cold hands of death. His family was very grateful for the financial support. The delegation later joined Gilbert’s family at his graveside to offer prayers and observe a minute of silence.
The Forlem Gilbert Project revealed the need of an Alumni Association of CCAST Bambili that would bring ex ccasterians together to engage in activities that would benefit them and CCAST Bambili. This ultimately led to the creation of CCASTAA, which today is continuing to provide some services that are useful to its members and CCAST Bambili.
