By Joyce Ashuntantang
This week-end, August 5-7th 2011, the Ex-Saker Students of the prestigious Saker Baptist College, Limbe, popularly known as Sakerettes will convene in Atlanta, GA, the land of Martin Luther King Jr., to celebrate the association’s 10th anniversary in the United States of America. This celebration under the leadership of the current National President, Rev. Esther Tanga Gadpaille (picture insert) will serve as a golden opportunity to pause and look back on the journey covered thus far. The historic week-end will include a general assembly and common meal on Friday, a fun filled Saturday with games at the park and in the evening, a star-studded exquisite gala showcasing the best of ExSSA-USA. Besides the food to tantalize your taste buds, the Ex-SSA choir will be on hand to soothe your ears. As for your eyes, there will be a feast to titillate those pupils, and of course your brain will savor the memories for years to come!!
But it should be noted that the relationship between Saker Baptist College and the USA is enshrined in the very fabric of the school since the college was founded with the aid of the North American Baptist Convention in 1962. To top that, in 1969, “The College Singers” made up of students from Saker Baptist College made the now legendary tour of the US and Canada with songs of praise. From that time on many ex students from Saker travelled to the USA to further their education or join other family members. By the mid 1990s, with the growing number of emigrations to the USA, Ex-Saker students in Dallas, Houston and Maryland began congregating at intervals to share common concerns and to celebrate their sisterhood from their Saker days. However, it is in the year 2000 that Sakerettes in Dallas led by Ms. Martha Akwa Teke decided to create a national body to cater for ex students of Saker Baptist college living in the USA. In August 2001 the Ex- Saker students Association (Ex-SSA) USA was born in Dallas, Texas.
But it should be noted that the relationship between Saker Baptist College and the USA is enshrined in the very fabric of the school since the college was founded with the aid of the North American Baptist Convention in 1962. To top that, in 1969, “The College Singers” made up of students from Saker Baptist College made the now legendary tour of the US and Canada with songs of praise. From that time on many ex students from Saker travelled to the USA to further their education or join other family members. By the mid 1990s, with the growing number of emigrations to the USA, Ex-Saker students in Dallas, Houston and Maryland began congregating at intervals to share common concerns and to celebrate their sisterhood from their Saker days. However, it is in the year 2000 that Sakerettes in Dallas led by Ms. Martha Akwa Teke decided to create a national body to cater for ex students of Saker Baptist college living in the USA. In August 2001 the Ex- Saker students Association (Ex-SSA) USA was born in Dallas, Texas.
The Pioneer
Executive:
Regine Efeti Ojongtambia: President
Christina Kidi Makia: Vice President
Shiri Ndang: Secretary
Sylvie Makoge: Vice Secretary
Marie Takusi Njowo: Treasurer
Alida Welashey: Financial Secretary
Genevieve Ndando: Public Relations
Martha Teke: Organizing Secretary
Jackie Atang: Vice Organizing Secretary
Vivian Barake: Music Prefect
Christina Naduvi Body-Lawson- Chief Whip
Since August 2001, Ex-SSA USA has been on a roller coaster ride. The three successive presidents, Ms. Efeti Ojongtambia (2001-2005), Ms. Ndedi Ngonga (2005-2009) and now Rev. Esther T. Gadpaille (2009 to Present), and their national executive members have built different parts of the magnificent edifice that we now call Ex-SSA USA. During this ten year run, ExSSA USA’s accomplishments include:
In Cameroon
Contributed to the water project in Saker to make water available to students on campus, a process complicated by the hilly topography on which the college rests.
Contributed to the Furnishing of the College chapel named “Chapel of Faith” .
Renovated and donated medications to the sick bay in Saker
Provided scholarships to current Saker students
Donated books by indigenous writers to Saker Baptist college Library
In the USA:
Contributed to enhancing a visible and positive Cameroon community in various US cities
Provided a credible support system for members nationwide
Volunteered in soup kitchens/pantries across America
Donated to the Haiti relief fund
Formed CAMELA, Atlanta, GA, a leadership program for Cameroonian youth in the USA based in Atlanta
Participated in fundraising for various charities e.g. Cancer Research Foundation, Organization for Autism Research, AIDS Walk, etc
Organized a community health fair in Houston,Texas
Bone marrow drive in Los Angeles, CA
Indeed EXSSA USA members continue to make their mark both as a group and as individuals. The dedication towards excellence and orientation towards service built in Sakerettes runs across generations and we continue to celebrate mind-blowing successes even from younger Sakerettes. Some recent successes in the USA include, Ms. Martha Endum Teke, who at 17 became the second youngest student in US History to graduate from a University nursing Program in the USA. Endum recieved a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Texas A & M University- She was profiled in the Exceptional People Magazine, April 2011 edition; Geena Mbange Ngaaje who was recently profiled on Fox News for her innovative “Hip Hop on Heels” dance routine. In fact, EXSSA USA members continue to light the corner of the globe wherever they find themselves and the theme of this milestone convention captures this clearly: “Go Light Your World: Sustaining A Tradition Of Excellence In Service”.
Join us this week-end and be part of our world as we celebrate in Atlanta, Georgia.
