United OPSA USA Pleges Development for Alma Mater in Crisis-Hit Cameroon

By Joseph Besong

The association of former students of Queen of the Rosary Secondary College(QRC),United Okoyong Past Students Association ( UOPSA USA), has committed to support the development of its alma mater, affected by the ongoing armed conflict in the English-speaking regions of Cameroon.

During the organization’s annual convention in Houston Texas from August 10, 2023, to August 13, 2023, the Queens of Q.R.C Okoyong pointed out the need to foster the wellbeing of the college through developmental drives.

The college, found in Okoyong-Mamfe, in the Manyu division of the Southwest region, has since 2016, been plagued by the insecurity due to separatist armed movements in this part of the Central African nation.  Unidentified men burned down dormitories last year, accusing the institution in a viral video of planning to take part in the country's Youth Day celebrations on February 11  This greatly crumbled the school that champions the cause for women and the girl child, advocating for academic excellence, moral rectitude, women empowerment, and a growing list of virtues.

The Bishop of Mamfe Diocese, Right Rev. Dr . Aloysius Abangalo prioritized bringing back the college to the limelight following the resulting drop in enrollment. During a holy mass celebrated at the close of the recent 2023 Houston Convention, Rev. Dr. Aloysius Abangalo expressed gratitude to parents of all OPSANS for the sacrifices they made in sending their children to QCR.

United OPSA, USA's President,  Linda Andoseh alongside other Exco members over the past years, highlighted the unity and the improvement of the organization that aims to reflect the values of the to 67years old QCR.

The come together in USA, was characterized by a series of activities including a cultural evening in which the Queens showcased their talents in traditional dances such as the Oroko, Bamileke, Bakweri, and Njang.

The United OPSA, USA 2023 convention further saw the election of a new executive, composed of Eveline Nkea Nyochembeng as President and Esubat Fonkeng as Vice President.

Queen of the Holy Rosary College (QRC) Okoyong was the first girls’ secondary school in Cameroon. It was created by the missionary sisters of Holy Rosary from Ireland in 1956. The Catholic Church through the Holy Rosary Sisters, a religious congregation, took the first step to give the girls the best gift which was an education.

The renowned girls’ school dormitory helped tackle illiteracy, early marriages, and early child birth. The Handmaid of the Child Jesus congregation from Nigeria fits squarely as a replacement for the pioneer educators, the Holy Rosary Sisters.