Irene Chilla Dinka was born on October 5, 1962, in Tsenkov Njavnyuy, Kumbo, Bui Division, North West Region, Cameroon, to Nicholas Mengjo Chilla and Hildergard Kinyuy Chilla. She was the first fruit of the womb born to their holy union. Affectionately regarded as "Yula", meaning ‘who is listening’, Irene was sent to her father’s younger sister, Mary Nyangsi Chilla, in 1965. She spent her infancy and adolescence with her aunt in Wum, North West Region of Cameroon, as her first daughter.
Irene started elementary education in 1966 at the Holy Trinity Primary School Wum. She did primary one and two there, and in 1968, she continued at the St. Peter’s Practicing School Bambui, Tubah Rural Council Area, Bamenda, N.W.R., Cameroon. Irene graduated from elementary education in 1974. She attended Providence Commercial College Mankon, also known as ‘Mubang’ in those days, and graduated with the Royal Certificate of Arts (R.S.A. Certificate) in 1980. Irene married Sevidzem Augustine in 1984. She was blessed with five daughters and one son.
Irene was a confident lady turning rocks, milking cows, and burning the midnight oil doing everything that would enable her to bring up her children. She stood like a rock to push her children to higher heights. In 2008, she fell ill with a degenerative respiratory illness. Her life became more with her children. In August 2014, she traveled to the United States of America under the care and love of her eldest daughter. There in the U.S.A., she got the best medical attention, living daily on oxygen support. Her children understood her health condition, and their happy moments were countless.
She traveled to Cameroon in October 2018 to fulfill her desire to see all her kids. With the socio-political crisis, her stay in Cameroon ended in May 2019.
The morning of July 21, 2020, 4 hours after having a video called with most of her children, Irene went back to her creator. Those left to cherish precious memories include her husband; six children; 13 grandchildren; parents; brothers and sisters; other children she raised; loving church family; and host of other relatives and friends.
Isaiah 44:24: "I am the Lord your Savior; I am the One who created you.”
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