By Joyce Ashuntantang, Ph.D.
The Ex- students of Saker Baptist College better known as Sakerettes will be having their annual convention in Houston ,Texas. The convention which has been framed under the theme “empowering today’s woman” will take place on August 6- 8th 2010. This will be the culmination of a very productive year under the leadership of Rev. Esther Tanga Gadpaille (top) as National President and Ms. Susannah Mondoa (bottom) as Vice.
This annual gathering at the Marriott, Sugarland, gives Sakerettes an opportunity to take stock of the year gone by and also to approve the budget and projects for the forthcoming Year. The convention highlights include a business meeting and common meal for registered alumni, an educational trip to NASA headquarters and the main event which is a Dinner-Gala fundraiser on Saturday August 7th.
On Saturday the world meets EXSSA USA. This is not a night to miss because the Sakerettes do not put on a show- they are the real thing! It will be a night of refined elegance- exquisite cuisine, reverting sounds from DJ Jean-Simon and a nostalgic dose of the legendary Saker choral music. This is a combination of life’s major comforts brought together under one canopy as only the sakerettes can. But these girls now women will not be true to their Christian upbringing if they did not go beyond their own comfort level to bring respite to those in need. This year EXSSA USA was not only the first Cameroonian organization to send money for relief in Haiti after the earthquake, the EXSSA National president launched a campaign to help local communities in the USA. The pioneer event- a community health fair took place in Houston Texas under the Direction of Dr. Rachel K. Tita who doubles as the President of the local Houston EXSSA Chapter. With the help of other partners like Caring Angels healthcare group, MedStar Clinic, Quest Diagnostics, First Option EMS Ambulance and Bethel American Healthcare, EXSSA USA was able to triage over a 100 local residents.
In addition to these national efforts each chapter organized a local event to benefit EXSSA USA and beyond. In Dallas it was a Valentine’s Day show down to raise money for the Sick bay in Saker. In Atlanta it was a Masquerade ball to enchant donors to donate to the EXSSA leadership program for Cameroon kids. In Minnesota it was a day out stocking the pantry for African immigrants. In New York New Jersey it was a retreat in Atlantic city to revitalize the body in a land that often demands more than our bodies can offer.
In Washington DC it was a leadership retreat to brianstorm effective activities/strategies to achieve chapter goals. As if to crown this year of major successes- a young Sakerette, Martha Endum Teke, created a record by becoming the youngest Registered Nurse in the USA- graduating with a BSN from
Texas A & M University at age 17 and passing her board exams thereafter. While her story is now making rounds in newspapers and magazines in the USA such as
Brazos wellness magazine, Exceptional People Magazine and
North Dallas Gazette, EXSSANs are not surprised. Saker Baptist college has remained a foundation for academic excellence framed with Christian values since that 29
th of January in 1962 when 36 young girls were led to Saker hill and “their nervous trepidation became a joyful thrill”. Do join us in Houston Texas!
Dr J.
Excellently written. Short and concise to capture the essence of ExSSA-USA Ladies, what we are all about, our aspirations and achievements, our dedication to community, self and service as well as acknowledging our strengths and using our talents and spirituality to enhance the world around us. You go Sister, and may the LORD continue to BLESS you abundantly as you use your talents in projecting and bringing light to ours and many other causes you write about on your site(s).
Posted by: Dolly L | August 03, 2010 at 09:10 PM