John was a true Bamileke and a great friend! - Reader comments at The New York Sun

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Reader comment on:
John Granville

Submitted by Andre Guy Soh, Jan 5, 2008 18:48

I started my American journey with John Granville in 1997 when he was a Peace Corps Volunteer in my village, Bamendjou (West Cameroon). We both taught English at the local high school and shared the same house for 2 years.

John turned my life around. He entered my life in 1997 when I was a poor, frustrated, and disoriented young man with no hope for a future. He helped me improve my English and encouraged me to acquire computer skills. He did not stop there though, he helped me secure a position as a language and cross cultural trainer with the US Peace Corps in Yaounde. We later collaborated on several projects and started a business together.

A lot of people would tell you this kind of story about the impact that John had on their lives.

I spoke with him on December 30th for about 45 minutes. He wished me a great new year and told me a bunch of stories about the work he was doing, and how wonderful the people of Sudan were.

I just thought I should share this because John was a great person. He loved the African continent, and its people, and respected our cultures. In fact, before leaving the village of Bamendjou in 1998, he received an honorary title from the Chief of Bamendjou. A traditional funeral is planned at the Chefferie of Bamendjou in the next few weeks.

Andre-Guy Soh

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Other reader comments on this article

Comment	By	Date
May he rest in peace. My heart still aches when i see his pictures. My sincere condolences to his family... [MORE]	May Osama	May 14, 2008 11:23
First, to all involved, my most heartfelt condolences on the tragic events regarding John Granville. Every couple of years, I do... [MORE]	Rob Goldsmith	Mar 17, 2008 21:42
I have finally gathered enough courage to read the articles on the web with regards to John's sudden passing. I... [MORE]	Anne Sumbeiywo	Feb 19, 2008 05:18
Yesterday I had the honor of attending John Granville's funeral. Never have I felt such pain for a family, pride... [MORE]	Sue	Jan 10, 2008 10:19
To Julia, the mother and family of John Granville, I met your uncle in Nairobi at the East Africa Kennel Club,... [MORE]	Ana Maria Ferraz de Campos	Jan 10, 2008 02:13
John and I both started off as Fellows with USAID/Sudan, in Nairobi back in 2005. John was known by everyone... [MORE]	Mike	Jan 10, 2008 08:12
It is sad for his family and friends to have this news. We were together in the Nuba Mountains Southern... [MORE]	Worku Tegegne	Jan 11, 2008 01:35
The significance of supplying radios to a rural population does not impact most people. On my last trip to Sudan,... [MORE]	Cindy Castano	Jan 6, 2008 16:36
I started my American journey with John Granville in 1997 when he was a Peace Corps Volunteer in my village,...	Andre Guy Soh	Jan 5, 2008 18:48
Dear sir; Can you please explain to those of us who are unfamiliar with your ways what a traditional funeral in... [MORE]	Debbie	Jan 6, 2008 00:07
Your words were very touching. It was so nice to hear of the wonderful bond you had with John and... [MORE]	Ann	Jan 20, 2008 20:24
I met John at Clark University in Worcester, MA and reconnected with him in Nairobi in 2005. At that time,... [MORE]	Darren	Jan 5, 2008 00:42
I encountered John on a number of occasions whilst I was working for the aid agency GOAL in Kurmuk, Southern... [MORE]	Jim Clarken	Jan 4, 2008 08:34
Uncle John was my uncle. He is very missed, and we are getting his dog. We were close, and I... [MORE]	Julia	Jan 3, 2008 20:50
Dear Julia, Your Uncle John was an amazing man as you know. He was a hero to the people in Africa... [MORE]	Debbie	Jan 4, 2008 23:26
To the mother and family of John Granville, Please know that there are average Americans like me who read about your... [MORE]	Becky	Jan 5, 2008 10:31
If anyone needed more proof that the entire world is under attack by radical Muslims, this should provide more than... [MORE]	John Spencer Yantiss	Jan 2, 2008 14:46
The death of John Granville is a tragedy not only his family, but the entire population of southern Sudanese people,... [MORE]	Daniel,Daniel	Jan 2, 2008 06:57

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