My beloved sisters, it is hard to believe we have come to the end of 2021. 2020 and 2021 in many ways have felt like one long year and yet so much happened. The year started out with so much hope – the vaccine rollout seemed to be going well, and there was the glimpse of a return to normalcy by the summer. That was, until the vaccine rollout and democracy itself divulged into a mass of misinformation and everyone became “zoomed out”- tired of being locked in at home and eager to get out. Then the Delta variant emerged and so it went, round and round. Here we are, moving into 2022, with caution but resolved to carry on; resolved to build on what we started last year- keep adapting to the new normal. A few brave souls led the way, they showed us that we can do it; that despite the pandemic, we can actually get together as long as we put safety first. And because of their immerse bravery, we now have the fortitude to plan without hesitation for an in person 2022 convention despite the raging OMICRON or any other variant that may come our way. We have proved that we can do it and we are going to carry on- our enthusiasm will not be dampened and it’s all thanks to those brave souls who attended the 2021 convention. With vaccine mandates in place, a good time was had by all without a single transmission of COVID. That’s our hope for 2022- that we can recreate that success on a larger scale and come out victorious in the end. Our 2022 convention hosts West Coast have taken the bull by the horn and have done an amazing job keeping us all excited in anticipation.

To those who did not travel into 2022 with us, we say Adieu. We lost many OPSANs in Cameroon including sister Theresa Ndikum, sister Helen Wandji, sister Rose Muna, Mr. Orock Mathew and above all, we lost our very own founding Houston member Mekang Ngole. OPSANs showed up and showed out. We sent our sister off in grand style, after which her mother sent us this message of gratitude:

 “My dear daughters, I don’t have enough words to express my gratitude for your wonderful performance on your sister’s funeral. You actually gave her a befitting burial, I thank you very much. May God continue to support, strengthen and bless your association abundantly. Thank you and God bless you all”.

through the mercy of God Rest in Peace, Amen. As always, every year comes with opportunity as well as challenges. 2021 was no different. It turned out to be an extremely challenging year, probably more so than 2020. At least in 2020, everyone was satisfied with zoom. 2021 presented a fresh challenge as some people became “zoomed out”, wanting to get together and yet some states remained closed and some members remained cautious. We learned that everything has its limitations including technology and the ability for innovative design. Our plans for a half virtual/half in person convention, went fabulously well for those who attended in person but went awry for those who attended virtually as questions over what constituted “attendance” cast a cloud during elections. It’s human nature to react with emotion when things don’t go as planned or 

expected. If everything we attempted, went perfectly, we would not be human and we would not have the opportunity to learn and improve our processes. This was a huge learning process and a true eye opener. But we are OPSANS and with the same resolve as always, we will overcome.

2021 also brought us a return to in person meetings as well as elections. Just like at the National level, we have new EXCOs in Houston led by Gladys Chefack, in Dallas led by Therese Fonge Tambe, in DC led by Dr. Marie Bibum, and in Georgia led by Esubat Fonkeng Nanje. The National EXCO completed its transition in a timely manner and the new EXCO is already hard at work with our West Coast sisters, planning the 2022 convention. Many thanks to these leaders for taking up the mantle. We take a moment to appreciate the outgoing executives at the chapter level Lesline Folabit Deffo and sister Susane Njomo. Thank you for your exemplary service. And for these members of the hardest working EXCO ever, Dr. Ruth Vinga, Dorothy Agbaw- Nanga, Evelyne Nkea Nyonchembeng, Relindis Atemkeng Mboussi, and Lesley Chungong, thank you, thank you, thank you for your selfless service. May our good Lord continue to bless you all. And many thanks to the new National EXCO members for bravely stepping forward to serve - our amazing VP Dr. Cynthia Ebini-Obichi who has continued to edit the newsletter throughout the pandemic, Delphine Mepewo, Felicite Meande, Hedrine Tamajong, Pam Kigham and Rita Nkea. May our good Lord provide us all with the spirit of discernment and sacrificial service.

The year gave us an opportunity to support one another in so many ways. The Rosary Family was introduced with the goal to assist the Rosary sisters in Ireland championed by our big sister and mother Faustina Yembe. The forum was abuzz with visits to the sick- most notably the visit to sister Queen during the convention. The burial insurance program was launched successfully with help from Delphine, Ernestine Besong, and Jane Abey Mbongo and is an opportunity to provide financial support during the hardest of times for our families. Our support for QRC continues and as usual, many members continue to sponsor underprivileged girls through our Archbishop Andrew Nkea’s scholarship scheme, and New York Queens proved once again that they are the Queens of generosity by blessing a total of 33 staff members with a Christmas bonus of 50,000 Francs CFA each. This is no small feat. New Yorkers, you are amazing- thanks for spreading so much joy. To this end, there are still many opportunities to sponsor a girl child and to assist with the Rosary Family effort for those who are able.

As we tread cautiously into this New Year 2022, our third pandemic year, may it bring us all renewed hope, boundless love, maintain our strong and resilient sisterhood and continue to bind us all with cords that cannot be broken. Thank you all so much for the enormous support afforded to the leaders of this great association of ours and apologies for those we have disappointed in any way. Our sisterhood has been tested time and time again, and each time it has emerged victorious and stronger, we pray that our good Lord continue to grant us that grace.

With much love always

Linda Andoseh- President UOPSA USA