By Joyce Ashuntantang*
The Hudson River may separate New York City and the State of New Jersey, but the Ex- Students from Saker Baptist College, Limbe, fondly known as Sakerettes plan to create a bridge of their own during their 12th annual convention hosted by the New York and New Jersey chapter from August1-4. The convention which will take place in the enchanting Renaissance Newark Airport Hotel situated strategically a few minutes from New York City is sure to be a highlight of the summer season for many. The four day extravaganza will include a convention kick off ceremony by city representatives, a general assembly, a tour of the Big Apple, and the highly anticipated fundraising dinner-gala designed to titillate the palates and rejuvenate the soul.
The gathering is expected to bring Sakerettes and their guests from all corners of our amazing globe. Over a span of fifty years Saker Baptist College went beyond its mission of training young Cameroonian women as it enrolled students from other countries including Namibia, Uganda, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Ethiopia, the Caribbean and India. Consequently, while the convention will be steeped in the sounds and tastes of Cameroon, it will display the rich international heritage of that prestigious college perched on a hill in Limbe, Cameroon.
New York/New Jersey- Home of the 2013 ExSSA USA Conventtion
If you know the Sakerettes, then it is okay to assume that you will be in the threshold of superlatives. The New York/New Jersey chapter under the leadership of Dr. Nessie Ndive has put together a convention package that has been described as “magical” and it will be for a good cause too.The Ex-Saker Students will be raising funds to build a new dining hall for their alma-mater. This is supposed to be a golden jubilee gift in celebration of the school that nurtured them into extremely productive members of society.
It is worthy to note that ahead of their convention, and in their pace-setting mode, Ex- Saker Students Association (ExSSA), USA, launched a nationwide impact day campaign in the spirit of strengthening local communities. The ExSSA motto, Love, Unity and Sisterhood, not only enjoins Sakerettes to love one another in a united sisterhood, but also to uphold the abiding commandment “love thy neighbor as thy self”. In this regard, ExSSA chapters were encouraged by their National President, Rev. Esther Tanga Gadpaille, to extend this love by synchronizing their activities on a chosen day. The first Saturday of April was adopted as "ExSSA Impact Day." The pioneer ExSSA impact day fell on April 6th 2013 and ExSSA Chapters in Maryland, Georgia, Dallas, Houston, New York/New Jersey, Minnesota and even individuals of the Members at large chapter carried out an activity to benefit their respective local communities.
ExSSA DC Metro a.k.a DC Divas, handcrafted two hundred cards and sixty-five friendship bracelets for Children at the National Institute of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, as part of the program “Thoughtful Treasures." This is a program which brightens the stay of children who come from all over the USA and around the world by placing a thoughtful treasure in their mailbox each day for the duration of that stay, some of which could be very long.
ExSSA-Minnesota made a difference in world hunger by volunteering for “FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN” and organization whose mission is "feeding God’s starving children hungry in body and spirit.”
It is in this spirit of uplifting our common humanity in a fun atmosphere that the ExSSANs will welcome their guests from August 1-4 2013.
Well, when New York City is called “the Big Apple” and the State of New Jersey is “the garden State,” it is only logical to expect Sakerettes to recreate paradise at this convention- at least in human terms!
A group of ExSSANs on a tour of Hollywood at Convention 2012 in LA; Yes, the color fuchsia seems to have been trending for ExSSA; It will be turquoise in New York City; Join the fun!!
*Proud ExSSAN, Class of 1983.
Well articulated Dr. J. Continue to shine the light on EXSSA USA!
Judith, Proud exsan
Posted by: Judith Foyabo | Friday, 10 May 2013 at 08:01 PM
Nice chicks...
Posted by: Zam | Friday, 24 May 2013 at 05:07 AM