It is nearly twelve hours since the flames died down, but the faint scent of smoke still lingers in the air. The morning light reveals the charred remains of what used to be home for Tancho Didel, a visually impaired #journalist known for his advocacy work in Bamenda. He stands just a few feet away from the smoldering ruins, a sense of calm on his face, despite the devastating loss.
On the evening of Wednesday, 21 August 2024, Tancho was making his way home after another long day at work. He wasn’t thinking about anything unusual; just the usual banter he had with his colleagues and his plans for the next day's radio segment. The streets were quieter than usual at that hour, the sound of distant chatter from small gatherings punctuated by the occasional vehicle and bikess passing by. His aid, as always, guided him carefully down the familiar Foncha Street.
But the normalcy of his routine was shattered when his aid stopped abruptly and told him his house is on fire.
At first, Tancho could hardly process what he was hearing. His mind struggled to grasp the gravity of the situation. His steps quickened as his heart raced, the adrenaline building with each second. When they got closer, the smell hit him first; suffocating odour of burning wood and plastic. He could hear the crackling of the flames before they even reached his street. The familiar sounds of his neighbourhood were replaced by the urgent shouts of neighbours, the rush of water splashing against stubborn flames, and the crackling of what little remained of his possessions.
When Tancho arrived, he couldn't see the destruction before him, but he could sense it. The heat from the fire radiated across the street as onlookers struggled to control the blaze. His neighbours, his community, were out in full force, doing everything they could to help. He stood there, silently, listening to the chaos around him, feeling the weight of the moment sink in.
The fire had consumed his home. Every document, every cherished memory, all the tools he used for work; gone. And yet, Tancho remained composed. His calmness in the face of such a disaster was a reflection of a lifetime spent overcoming obstacles.
In a quiet voice, filled with both sorrow and gratitude, Tancho Fidel while talking to Hilltopvoices Newspaper thanked his neighbours for their efforts.
"I appreciate their solidarity they all tried to help. I’m just glad no one was hurt."
Standing amid the ruins, Tancho surveyed the situation in his own way, understanding it not through sight, but through sound, touch, and emotion. Everything had was now ash, yet he spoke with courage.
"I am left with just this shirt, trousers, and shoes, but I am still alive, and for that, I am grateful." He said
That night of the fire incident, Tancho found shelter with a Good Samaritan who offered him a place to sleep. The warmth and kindness of the community began to show even in the midst of tragedy. He spent the night in a guest house, still processing what had happened, unsure of what would come next.
Twelve hours later, the shock has yet to fully wear off. Tancho is left to pick up the pieces of his life, figuring out what to do next.
"This is a major challenge," he admits. "But I will overcome it." His words, though simple, carry the weight of a man who has faced many challenges in life and always found a way forward.
Investigations are still underway to determine the cause of the fire. The community continues to gather around him, offering whatever support they can.
We gathered that the property where Tancho lived belonged to one time delegate of education in the North West Christopher Ndeh. We gathered he was around when the fire started. He was helpless but managed to safe his life.
As we walked out of the residence to a nearby store, Tancho asked for a toothbrush. This is a sign he had lost a lot.
As the day moves forward, Tancho remains resolute. He knows the road ahead will not be easy, but he is no stranger to hardship. With his ever-optimistic spirit, Tancho prepares to rebuild his life. And as the sun rises higher, dispelling the last remnants of the night’s smoke, there’s a quiet sense of hope that fills the air; a reminder that even after the fiercest fire, life can begin anew.
By Bakah Derick
Email: hilltopvoicesnewspaper@gmail.com
Tel: 6 94 71 85 77