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Ambassador Garvey Attends Ceremony for Slain Diplomat
Ambassador Janet Garvey traveled to the West region of Cameroon March 24 to celebrate the life and work of John Granville with the people of Bamendjou. John was a Peace Corps volunteer in Bamendjou from 1997-1999 and returned to the village in 2003 as a Fulbright scholar before joining the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). He and his Sudanese driver were killed by armed gunmen in the early hours of January 1, 2008, in Khartoum.
While a Peace Corps volunteer John was granted the honorific rank of “notable” and given the title Deffo Sokoudjou (Close Collaborator to the Chief) in the Bamendjou community by the Fo’o (chief) as a result of his extensive work that included helping build a bilingual school and co-founding the community newspaper. During the ceremony, students spoke of how the school he worked to found has benefited them and current Peace Corps volunteers noted how John is still remembered fondly in Bamendjou. Peace Corps Cameroon director James Ham discussed John’s Peace Corps experience and thanked the Fo’o for the hospitality he displayed towards John and has continued to extend to the many other Peace Corps volunteers who have served in his community. In her remarks, Ambassador Garvey noted John’s service as a Fulbright scholar fighting HIV/AIDS and as a USAID diplomat working to develop Sudan.
Colorful and elaborate ceremonies for the deceased are an important cultural aspect of the Bamiléké people of the West region, and the Fo’o ensured the celebration in honor of John Granville was no exception. Following the speeches, members of the community and guests from neighboring villages took turns paying homage and dancing before a picture of John. Bearing traditional horsetail staffs, the Ambassador and Peace Corps director joined the Fo’o in dance and song. Members of various community organizations wore elaborate outfits, adding to the colorful landscape. After the dancing, the Fo’o invited the guests to a feast in his palace.
Following the feast, attendees traveled to a site near John’s former home where the village of Bamendjou had erected a memorial in honor of John. From the memories expressed by the Fo’o and the moving words from the people whose lives he touched, it was clear to all present that John Granville had a profound impact on the community of Bamendjou and will always be remembered as a member of the community.
photo gallery | Discours Ambassadeur | Peace Corps Director Speech