Agnes Manyi Formatum: World Traveler

Agnes Manyi Formatum: World Traveler

By Tiffany Gulick

Manyi is a liberal studies major, and is a senior at Frostburg State University.  Manyi is originally from Cameroon, which is a country in central/western Africa, though she moved to Prince George’s County, Maryland, as a child.  She was taught to speak French by her family, as both French and English are taught to students in Cameroon.  The name “Manyi” in Cameroon means “99% chance of having twins,” but she hopes that this is not true.  Manyi has an older sister and brother, as well as two younger sisters. 

Manyi loves to travel, and travels often with her church group.  She recently went to Haiti, but has also been to Mumbai, India; France; Istanbul, Turkey; Nigeria; Canada; Mexico; and Bolivia.  Manyi made many trips back to Cameroon to visit her family as a child, but her first trip with her traveling group was to Mumbai.  Manyi enjoys each traveling experience that she is able to take part in, but her favorite trip was to Haiti. 

In Haiti, Manyi was able to see the remains of destruction from the 2010 earthquake.  The poverty is so widespread in Haiti that there has not been recovery from the earthquake.  While she was there, she was also able to see a group by the name of Mission of Hope (MOH).  This group provides animals such as goats as a food source, healthcare, orphan care, education, projects such as building structures or water wells, and church advancement throughout Haiti. 

Although Manyi loves traveling to unknown places, there will always be a special place in her heart for Cameroon.  She loves being able to visit her family and the place where she was born.  Manyi’s favorite artist is Rihanna because, “I feel like I can relate to her.  She moved here as a teenager, which was older than I was, but still.” People who immigrate to the United States have a deeper connection and understanding of each other as opposed to those who were born in the United States.  

Manyi’s life quote is, “Whatever you can conceive and believe, you can achieve.”  As a child and young adult, Manyi has always struggled with worrying too much.  If she could give her former self advise, she would say that everything is going to be okay.