By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
The roar of the crowd was deafening. Then, a single voice cut through, not just with a shout, but with a testimony. In an instant, the life of Henry Charles changed forever.
Charles had just been named one of three beneficiaries of a house under the Mutual Assistance and Solidarity (MASO) Act 6 initiative, organized by RENAPROV Finance S.A. As the announcement was made at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium on July 4, the weight of the moment was deep.
Overwhelmed with emotion, he struggled to find words, caught between tears and the urge to leap for joy. When he finally spoke, it was to offer a simple, profound declaration of faith. “I want to thank God for this, for this opportunity, for this privilege, for this grace. It’s the hand of God. I cannot lie,” Charles said.
For the first-time winner, the victory was more than just a financial windfall; it was a spiritual confirmation. Still in a state of shock, he shared a message of hope to the thousands gathered and those watching from afar.
“Somebody that is listening to me today, one thing I want to let them know is that God is still speaking, and God is real,” Charles said. “So, it’s not by my strength, it’s not by my power. It’s only by God.”
Charles was not alone in his euphoria. The event, which drew a massive crowd, permitted mutualists to bagged home financial support ranging from FCFA 100,000 to 2,000,000. For many of the winners, the initiative represents more than a handout; it offers a path to stability designed to help break the cycle of poverty and achieve long-term goals.
Another beneficiary, a six-year veteran of the MASO program, expressed words of community transformed. Having never won anything before, he dedicated his prayers to a specific goal: securing a home.
“It’s been 6 years that I’ve been playing MASO and I have never won anything else, but today I am going to be a proud owner of a house,” he said. “Before, I used to play to ask for money. This time, I asked, I played for the house, and I told myself that the house is going to come to me. So, I’m very happy. Thank you to MASO.” For the winners, a new chapter has begun.
Presiding over the event, Center Region Governor, Naseri Paul Bea commended the initiative, positioning it as a vital complement to government efforts. He emphasized the state’s dedication to supporting serious programs that strengthen social cohesion, financial inclusion, and economic development.
Naseri Paul Bea, however, urged winners to treat their new assets with responsibility, rigor, and discipline, ensuring they become genuine tools for wealth creation. He also encouraged those still on the sidelines to reconsider joining.
“I would also like to invite the populations who are not yet members of this mutual society to take a closer interest in the organized solidarity mechanisms, which today constitute an important complement to the development efforts undertaken by the public authorities,” Naseri Paul Bea said.
He added, “Don’t forget always to contribute, always to return, pay your debts, and always to leverage what you have won on this day to live national solidarity.”
Rev. Pastor Emmanuel Noël Bissaï, President of the Board of Directors of RENAPROV Finance S.A. and promoter of MASO, stressed the need for community self-reliance in the face of shifting economic climates.
“We must organize ourselves,” Bissaï said, pointing to tightening geopolitical and budgetary constraints impacting the country. “The state can no longer do everything. We must promote the idea of solidarity. We must tell our brothers and sisters that, united, like our ancestors before us, they were strong, we will be strong. But dispersed, it will not work.”
While congratulating the winners, Rev. Pastor Bissaï urged them to act as ambassadors and share their testimonies with those who still doubt the program.
For those who did not win, organizers encouraged them not to lose hope, reminding them that a better future lies ahead. MASO aims to empower its members long-term through mutual funding, entrepreneurial support, health benefits, and academic assistance.
