About Me because of the possibility of ID theft many dates have been left
out.
out.
I like to tell people I am from East Texas. Very far east of Texas. I was born in the village of Kurume. This one is in Cameroon,
West/Central Africa - NOT Japan!
I began life in a funny way - born while my mom was in her farm with the help of a friend who was planting some crops. Plantain leaves
were my first bed. Because of that, my father gave me a biblical name. No, not from the new testament. My children did not believe this
until their grandmother assured them it was true.
My father as chief of the village founded by his grand father, also held the traditional kingship of the tribe. Thus the chief of the most
populous Bafaw city of Kumba could not act on matters of the tribe without my father. All that I am today, I learned while sitting on his lap
or by his side as he counseled with people of the village or the many German and English expatriates who stopped at our house on their way
from Buea to Nigeria. I grew at the time that many countries in Africa were fighting for their independence. So, I met quite a few politicians.
Dad often told me that I was a child of the village. "When you were in mommy's tommy, you belonged to us. Once you were born, you
belonged to our people. Whatever you do for yourself, must be done so that your people will benefit from that also"
I started organising things early. Two villages, Kokaka 1-1/2 mile to our north and Ngolo Bolo, 3 miles to the south were my first practice
field for organisation. With these two villages, my friend and I often organised football matches - well soccer. Those kids walked to school
to Kurume. The school was founded by my father and later transferred to the "Native Authority". After independence it was called "Council
School'. Today it is "government school, Kurume.
I was captain and often got my mother to organise the village women to prepare food for the visiting team. It was fun playing for our
parents and them sitting down for dinner with the visiting team and their parents. I was just ten!
When I made it to secondary school at age 12, I soon became involved. I joined the agricultural club and C.Y.F. -Christian Youth
Fellowship. I was secretary. During my senior year, I actually convinced the Principal to allow us to go on tour with our choir to two
schools. I went to Saker Baptist College and convinced their principal to allow us to visit. We were allowed to visit and stage a drama. You
see, Saker Baptist College is an ALL GIRLS SCHOOL. Boys did not just walk in there. Today, it is different.
After High school, I was successful in passing the entrance exam to Lycee Bilingue de Buea - High school. That was
where I found out the French and I were philosophically opposite. My determination not to be, "francophonised", led
me to the USA. In the 70s, to leave Cameroon without a rich father, was a miracle and this was one of many for me.
Why Kansas? That is a whole different story. Met Betty three weeks after arriving in America. We married and she
produced the most wonderful kids on earth then adopted three more! A wonderful human being. Regrettably 2005
was a terrible year for me as Hurricane Katrina arrived our union ended.
Today I am married to Mireille an equally beautiful person who is just what I prayed for. I literally met her on my way to
the airport as I was returning to Texas, 10,000 miles away from Cameroon, ironically, on the anniversary of my first
marriage. I had my family investigate her and after my eldest brother's approval, I proposed on the phone. Yes, after one meeting!
God's BLESSINGS come in surprising ways, especially since she is from a very culturally different part of Cameroon than mine. I am
Bafaw, from Kurume, near Kumba and she is Bamileke from Tonga, a world away!
With my London University General certificate of education Diploma, I ended up in Southwestern College, Winfield Kansas. I managed to
finish school while attending classes simultaneously in two colleges and working full time at Winfield State hospital and later at GOTT
manufacturing company making ice chests. I became involved in getting the soccer team organised into a school sport with partial
funding for equipment only. I was a charter member of Circle K, and learned to do volunteer work. Two and a half years later, I went to
Morgantown, West Virginia University for graduate studies in Agricultural Economics. Two years later, I took my family home to
Cameroon. I was employed by Cameroon Development Corporation
As an assistant project manager, I made tea that some of you reading this probably drank!
I returned to the USA with the intention to finish a Ph. D. Program. That was abandoned in favor of being a stay at home dad who worked
nights so mom could work days.
So I came to Texas - Big Texas but I choose small town CEDAR HILL that was 1987. What attracted me to CEDAR HILL? The school
system - for my kids. All seven graduated from Cedar Hill!
Go to page marked initiatives.
West/Central Africa - NOT Japan!
I began life in a funny way - born while my mom was in her farm with the help of a friend who was planting some crops. Plantain leaves
were my first bed. Because of that, my father gave me a biblical name. No, not from the new testament. My children did not believe this
until their grandmother assured them it was true.
My father as chief of the village founded by his grand father, also held the traditional kingship of the tribe. Thus the chief of the most
populous Bafaw city of Kumba could not act on matters of the tribe without my father. All that I am today, I learned while sitting on his lap
or by his side as he counseled with people of the village or the many German and English expatriates who stopped at our house on their way
from Buea to Nigeria. I grew at the time that many countries in Africa were fighting for their independence. So, I met quite a few politicians.
Dad often told me that I was a child of the village. "When you were in mommy's tommy, you belonged to us. Once you were born, you
belonged to our people. Whatever you do for yourself, must be done so that your people will benefit from that also"
I started organising things early. Two villages, Kokaka 1-1/2 mile to our north and Ngolo Bolo, 3 miles to the south were my first practice
field for organisation. With these two villages, my friend and I often organised football matches - well soccer. Those kids walked to school
to Kurume. The school was founded by my father and later transferred to the "Native Authority". After independence it was called "Council
School'. Today it is "government school, Kurume.
I was captain and often got my mother to organise the village women to prepare food for the visiting team. It was fun playing for our
parents and them sitting down for dinner with the visiting team and their parents. I was just ten!
When I made it to secondary school at age 12, I soon became involved. I joined the agricultural club and C.Y.F. -Christian Youth
Fellowship. I was secretary. During my senior year, I actually convinced the Principal to allow us to go on tour with our choir to two
schools. I went to Saker Baptist College and convinced their principal to allow us to visit. We were allowed to visit and stage a drama. You
see, Saker Baptist College is an ALL GIRLS SCHOOL. Boys did not just walk in there. Today, it is different.
After High school, I was successful in passing the entrance exam to Lycee Bilingue de Buea - High school. That was
where I found out the French and I were philosophically opposite. My determination not to be, "francophonised", led
me to the USA. In the 70s, to leave Cameroon without a rich father, was a miracle and this was one of many for me.
Why Kansas? That is a whole different story. Met Betty three weeks after arriving in America. We married and she
produced the most wonderful kids on earth then adopted three more! A wonderful human being. Regrettably 2005
was a terrible year for me as Hurricane Katrina arrived our union ended.
Today I am married to Mireille an equally beautiful person who is just what I prayed for. I literally met her on my way to
the airport as I was returning to Texas, 10,000 miles away from Cameroon, ironically, on the anniversary of my first
marriage. I had my family investigate her and after my eldest brother's approval, I proposed on the phone. Yes, after one meeting!
God's BLESSINGS come in surprising ways, especially since she is from a very culturally different part of Cameroon than mine. I am
Bafaw, from Kurume, near Kumba and she is Bamileke from Tonga, a world away!
With my London University General certificate of education Diploma, I ended up in Southwestern College, Winfield Kansas. I managed to
finish school while attending classes simultaneously in two colleges and working full time at Winfield State hospital and later at GOTT
manufacturing company making ice chests. I became involved in getting the soccer team organised into a school sport with partial
funding for equipment only. I was a charter member of Circle K, and learned to do volunteer work. Two and a half years later, I went to
Morgantown, West Virginia University for graduate studies in Agricultural Economics. Two years later, I took my family home to
Cameroon. I was employed by Cameroon Development Corporation
As an assistant project manager, I made tea that some of you reading this probably drank!
I returned to the USA with the intention to finish a Ph. D. Program. That was abandoned in favor of being a stay at home dad who worked
nights so mom could work days.
So I came to Texas - Big Texas but I choose small town CEDAR HILL that was 1987. What attracted me to CEDAR HILL? The school
system - for my kids. All seven graduated from Cedar Hill!
Go to page marked initiatives.
About Me
Welcome to:
| EPIE BOYS-SUKI, MUSANGU, MAKIA b; ME- JARVIS AND SIEWE |
| MY DAD, MOM AND ME |
| MIREILLE AND MAKIA |
001-469-454-2462
MAKIA@MAKIAEPIE.COM
MAKIA@MAKIAEPIE.COM
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Makia Epie |
| Sample music from my favorite musician- RochereauTabu Ley |
How have I trained for this service in community development?
After my election in 1995, I asked myself a question. What do I need to do to become a well rounded elected official with knowledge to improve my city? The answer was with the
"Texas Municipal League (TML) and the National League of Cities (NLC)".
That same year, I attended classes in, Treating Your Citizens as Customers, Leadership in Diverse Community and Effective Communication with Citizens. Upon my return, I challenged them to get all front
desk employees and managers to get training related to customer service. Done!
I initiated town hall meetings where I invited citizens to talk to me in non council settings. This elicited some interesting letters from some people. I had to discontinue this, unfortunately, because some fights
aren't worth it even if you are right. A valuable lesson I learnt was that, You should pay attention to your critics. They are the ones who will always point out where you need improvement and the best way
to shut them up is to correct those thing you can without loosing your personal convictions and standards.
I have been to many cities, holding meetings with other elected officials in the process, helping them and receiving help in return. The White House - been there (not as a tourist). Honorary citizen of several
cities, except I missed out on my favorite musician's city - Dolly Patton's - since she had to leave town for a television appearance after our meeting had been arranged, she left me with a beautiful foto album
and gold signed portrait which is one of my treasures.
I continue to volunteer in non profit organizations and I have continued to be involved in organizations that help me be a better council person. In every organisation I have been party to, my peers have
recognised my input and I am either on the Board or making presentations when we meet! I am always here,
"At Your Service".
I may never pass this way again but at least, my great, great, great children will see my foot print and for that, I thank the LORD.
As My 25th 2010 draws the curtains of my elected official status of Cedar Hill, all I can say is, "WHAO" Wish my father was alive today.
What is greatest delight?
Well, at least in my circle, Africans are viewed in a better light. My greatest joy has been when someone calls me to say, "we interviewed some one from your country and we will offer him a job. Great, even
though he may be from Kenya or Senegal. That is an honor. Many Africans have passed through our home, using it as temporary shelter. I was Blessed by their presence. Some musicians like ZAIKO
LANGA LANGA made their way through here also, some before they became great.I was Blessed and I AM TRULY BLESSED by it all.
Go ahead brothers and sisters - make a POSITIVE DIFFERENCE.
After my election in 1995, I asked myself a question. What do I need to do to become a well rounded elected official with knowledge to improve my city? The answer was with the
"Texas Municipal League (TML) and the National League of Cities (NLC)".
That same year, I attended classes in, Treating Your Citizens as Customers, Leadership in Diverse Community and Effective Communication with Citizens. Upon my return, I challenged them to get all front
desk employees and managers to get training related to customer service. Done!
I initiated town hall meetings where I invited citizens to talk to me in non council settings. This elicited some interesting letters from some people. I had to discontinue this, unfortunately, because some fights
aren't worth it even if you are right. A valuable lesson I learnt was that, You should pay attention to your critics. They are the ones who will always point out where you need improvement and the best way
to shut them up is to correct those thing you can without loosing your personal convictions and standards.
I have been to many cities, holding meetings with other elected officials in the process, helping them and receiving help in return. The White House - been there (not as a tourist). Honorary citizen of several
cities, except I missed out on my favorite musician's city - Dolly Patton's - since she had to leave town for a television appearance after our meeting had been arranged, she left me with a beautiful foto album
and gold signed portrait which is one of my treasures.
I continue to volunteer in non profit organizations and I have continued to be involved in organizations that help me be a better council person. In every organisation I have been party to, my peers have
recognised my input and I am either on the Board or making presentations when we meet! I am always here,
"At Your Service".
I may never pass this way again but at least, my great, great, great children will see my foot print and for that, I thank the LORD.
As My 25th 2010 draws the curtains of my elected official status of Cedar Hill, all I can say is, "WHAO" Wish my father was alive today.
What is greatest delight?
Well, at least in my circle, Africans are viewed in a better light. My greatest joy has been when someone calls me to say, "we interviewed some one from your country and we will offer him a job. Great, even
though he may be from Kenya or Senegal. That is an honor. Many Africans have passed through our home, using it as temporary shelter. I was Blessed by their presence. Some musicians like ZAIKO
LANGA LANGA made their way through here also, some before they became great.I was Blessed and I AM TRULY BLESSED by it all.
Go ahead brothers and sisters - make a POSITIVE DIFFERENCE.
