2005 Service Award Recipient
Mr. and Mrs. Bambolo
Mr. & Mrs. Bambolo hailed from Cameroon, West Africa. Mr Ezechiel Bambolo, Sr., was born in Doula, on October 25, 1942. Mrs. Anne Bambolo was born in Nkam Province.
The Bambolos were educated in Cameroon. After completing secondary school,mMr. Bambolo received a BA in English from Sussex College of Technology, England (correspondence). Mr Bambolo worked as an Aid Accountant / Bookkeeper at Merchant boutiques of Michel Photiou.
At the young age of 20 years, Mr. Bambolo and his lovely wife arrived at Ricks Institute, Liberia, West Africa, on July 26, 1966. Ricks Institute became their home for nearly 30 years while in Liberia. They only left Liberia when they had no choice but to leave to save their lives due to the civil war.
Mr.& Mrs. Bambolo Honorable, dedicated service at Ricks Institute is immeasurable. They served as mentors and spiritual leaders to many students over the years. Besides being parents to their four Liberian-born children, the Bambolos not only served as parents to students, but they became role models in the truest sense of the word. They have several adopted children.
Their service at Ricks Institute included many official titles / responsibilities and countless unofficial duties. Mr. Ezechiel Bambolo, Sr., offical titles included French professor, Dormitory director at Cheeeseman Hall, Dean of Disci[line, Administrative Assistant, Vice Principal and Interim Principal (post war). Mrs. Bambolo served as Assistant Dietician and Kindergarten Instructor.
Ricks Institute holds an incredibly dear place in the hearts of Mr. & Mrs. Bambolo, Sr. Ricks Institute provided a wonderful gentile environment to raise and educate their children and the many children entrusted to their care and guardiance as staff. At Ricks Institute, the Bambolos learned what life was supposed to be, lived what life was supposed to be and taught what life is supposed to be. Their experiences are exemplified in sections of Mr. Bambolo Sr.,thesis years ago - "Man's development through education" and "Opportunity well managed".
Like nearly every Liberian family, the Bambolos lost every earthly possession in the Liberian civil war, which in essence forced them into early retirement back to Cameroon. They returned to Cameroon on August 10, 1992, seeking a second chance at starting over. Because of their ages, the Bambolos could not get meaningful and sustainable employment in the Cameroonian educational system. As such, they spent 11 years minimally compensated as part-time educators while striving to re-establish and maintain long lost family relationships.
In 2003, Mr. Bambolo, Sr., suffered for four grueling agonizing months with atria fibrillation. Prayerfully, their children were able to secure the opportunity to bring them to the United States for Mr. Bambolo to receive urgently needed medical treatment.
Inspite of all that have occured and without a single regret, this honoring ceremony embodies all that God meant their experiences to be. The Bambolos can truly say that God has been good, so good to them! Indeed it is a great honor to be honorably remembered by their students and children. They came to serve and served they did! Thanks be to God!