Sterren Schitteren Voor Iedereen: Bresser-Teleskop für Kamerun

For years, BRESSER has been supporting the Belgian initiative SSVI (Sterren Schitteren Voor Iedereen - Stars sparkle for everyone) and has already sponsored many telescope tubes, which are then signed by astronauts, scientists or, as recently, Nobel Prize winners. These telescope tubes are then donated to needy people worldwide to enable them to admire the starry sky through a telescope.

At the beginning of this month some tubes found their way to Cameroon. One of the recipients, Mbonteh Roland Ndunge, has travelled from his home town of Nkongsamba in southwest Cameroon to the capital Yaoundé, some 500 kilometres away, to pick up his telescope.

Roland is an IAAC ambassador and, thanks to the telescope, can now begin his work as NOC (National Outreach Coordinator) of the Office for Astronomy Outreach (OAO). He works at the Polyvalent Mitoukem Institute, a secondary school in Nkongsamba, as a teacher of physics and mathematics. IAAC is the acronym for International Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition, an international science competition where students from all countries can demonstrate their skills and develop their creativity in astronomy and astrophysics.

The three-day trip was not without danger: On the way home, Roland's precious cargo was almost stolen - fortunately, he noticed the near theft in time and was able to catch the perpetrators. At the same time, the journey also provided a very personal highlight for the deeply believing Roland: Since the telescope was sent to the diocese of Sangmélima, Roland had the unique opportunity to meet Bishop Christophe Zoa - an inspiring experience for the young man. If you want to learn more about Mbonteh Roland Ndunge, his journey and the moment when he could finally unpack and set up his telescope at home, click on the Facebook fan page of the SSVI.