QRC Okoyong - Mamfe still maintains its standard

Immaculate Akwanga

This is a nice school to be in…, you learn so much here that you will hardly get from a day school…, the students are just the best…, etc., are some of the comments one gets from students and staff of the Queen of Rosary College (QRC) Okoyong when any kind of conversation comes up with them about their school. Watching the students dressed in their official uniforms of white blouses over blue skirts and brown sandals is such a lovely sight, and hearing them sing can only be compared to the voices of angel high above.

Watching them at the assembly, listening to the words of the principal every morning simply portrays a perfect example of disciplined and obedient students.
With its main objective being to teach the students the humane nature to living as sisters to one another in the school, QRC is certainly one of the few colleges in Cameroon that stands out tall in terms of discipline and academic performance, given the wholesome education received from curricular and extracurricular activities.
According to Rev. Sr. Margaret Mary Ejiogu, principal of QRC, school activities include compulsory morning Mass, classes, sports, manual labour, siesta and sometimes outings, among other things. Asked about the secret that upholds the school's dignity, Sr. Mary Margaret said that "nothing good is ever hidden or unknown.
Many people look up to the school because it is a girls' school and it performs well both in social and academic activities, though sometimes the percentage may not be high, but it will be first among the schools in Manyu Division."
She however confessed that the school has its own problems such as the difficulties students face to get there due to the poor roads, and the usual problems among students, such as the senior students bullying the younger ones for one reason or the other, but the staff try as much as they can to make them live as a family.
The spiritual life of Students is top priority in the school and it is for this reason that there is a convent found on campus and a chapel for devotion every morning. The principal confirmed that students draw a lot of inspirations from the Rev. Sisters of the Handmaid of Mary, who reside there, and some of these students have joined them on completion of secondary school, and two of them are actually finally professed.
There is also a school Chaplain where, Rev Fr. Paul Obi takes care of the spiritual problems of students through prayers and counselling, making them know that God loves them and is with them at all times. The Principal of the school was happy to say that past students of QRC, commonly called OPSANS, are doing a great job for the school by financing many projects in the school.
Some of these projects include the Bungalow, the Ruby Jubilee Square and presently the ultra modern school library that is under construction, which is being built for the golden jubilee coming up in November this year. OPSANS also play a great role of sending their children to the school.
The school started in 1956 through the influence of Bishop Peter Rogan and was run by the Holy Rosary Sisters from Nigeria. It started with 18 students and classes began in the then lone Catholic primary school classroom. As the years went by, the enrolment increased and by 1966, most buildings required had been erected and furnished, with light and water supplied by means of a hydro-electric plant and a large generator.
At the moment, there are 4 large dormitories with toilets attached to them. There is also a refectory that accommodates all the students and a spacious assembly hall and beautiful chapel used for worship everyday. There are equally science, domestic science and needle work laboratories, a library, a sick bay for students who happen to take ill, and the staff quarters, accommodating the teaching and administrative staff.
QRC was founded as a Catholic school in which young women were be trained to realise that they have a dignity of their own and to become aware of their rights and those of others. OPSANS can be found in all walks of life, often leading the way in both public and private sectors.
Most importantly, they stand out as good housewives and devoted mothers. The principal of QRC Okoyong thus appeals to all parents not to be afraid to send their little ones there. Parents should allow their children to tread the roads because it helps them to be strong and more courageous to face life.

Comments

[yvonne Chindia]

This was wonderful, seeing the picture of the girls in their uniform reminded me of my good old days in okoyong.
It is such an excellent school and I still carry all the VALUES and MORALS I was taught there with. Thanks okoyong for job well done.Parents please don't let this pass you by, send your girls to one of the finest school, QRC Okoyong. I have three girls, they are pretty young, and I pray that by God's grace I will do exactly what my parents did to me in 1987 by sending me to Okoyong with a big trunk. Thanks mom, thanks dad.

[Nyap Ebott]

Looking at this picture has brought me alot of mermories in the days when I was in Okoyong. This school has really taught me alot and i don't regret at all going to okoyong. As a young girl, this school had taught me how to respect one another, be discipline, puctuality and all of these made me what I am today. Going to this school made my mama proud because i went in as a little brat and came out with Self-esteem.
I will advise any parent to send his/her daughter to QRC and will be proud of the daughter.

[Patience Mbua]

I love QRC. I came to okoyong as a naïve little girl in 1987 and after five years of good education and training, I came out in 1992, full of life and self confidence. I am looking forward to seeing you MOTHER OKOYONG on the 8th of December 2006 during the Golden Jubilee celebrations, I also have to visit the Lorreto Spring to drink a cup of natural water after thirteen years

[Rose Okeke]

I have never forgotten QRC,seeing the girls in their uniforms reminded me of the days I spent in QRC with two of my sisters.It was the best school I had ever been to and is still the best school around,if I have to do it again,it will always be QRC.

[Ayuk Belagie]

just looking at the picture makes me cry with joy.it makes me say i mis my school.it is the best school i have ever been to.when i went to QRC, i was mummys baby ,but when i left,i was a grown up ready to face all the difficulties in life.im proud to say im an opsan.thank you mummy for sending me to QRC,thank you for sending me to your school.i hope we and your friends could have and opsan asso in Belgium one day.

[Irene Ada]

To any one who has ever been to QRC, there is nothing as a bad memory of the school.I have never seen a place that pulls in such positive energy and nostalgia.I love that school and all the friends that I made there are close to my heart till date.

[Gwendoline Langmi]

The pictures bring good old memories of my Okoyong days.
I have experienced no other exciting moments out of my school days.Just give it a try by attending QRC Okoyong and you will live to remember those years!

[Foinmbam, Judith]

I had tears in my eyes when i saw the picture of the place where some of my best childhood memories were made.QRC was and is still the best female only school in the country. Eventhough we are far from home , seeing a picture of a place that played a big role in making me who i am today really brightened my week. The school prepares each of its students for the real world not to mention the spiritual education you get. please parents don't pass up on the opportunity to give your little girls the best education they can have. Thanks mummy Hello to all OPSANS throughout the world and God bless our Almamater, and loretto is still the best house to be in.

[Sharon Nkwo]

I read this article with tears in my eyes,as I remembered eveything I was taught there.I am proud to be called an OPSAN and I encourage those mothers who are afraid of the distance to send their babies there for it is worth it.Their little girls will emerge as women when they go to QRC.

[ANYINKENG Pamela]

QRC OKOYONG, you planted seeds of moral values that will live to produce enduring fruits over the years in our lives.If I had a girl, she would not miss the chance to enjoy learning and growing up as total man in QRC.(Thank God for my boys).My eyes tried to identify me in the picture eventhough it was far back in the 80s, why? Cause of memory and nostagia.It was so lovely with college mothers/children,friends, neighbours,classmates,teachers and esp.with 'mon pere'God bless QRC.

[sabina chindia]

This picture reminds me of my good old days at QRC. I truly miss those days. How I wish we could rewind time. I went to okoyong as a young girl and came out as a woman full of ambitions, values and dreams. Excellent school for tomorrow's queens and princesses. Will not hesitate for a minute to send my daughter to QUEEN OF THE ROSARY COLLEGE, OKOYONG MAMFE.

[Fonkeu nee Bridget Achu]

I was consumed by afeeling of deep nostalgia when I saw this picture of okoyong.Infact no words can express what I feel right now .It surfices to say that I am a proud OPSAN mother of 4.My Okoyong days prepared me more than any thing else for this challenging role of wife and motherhood.At this moment I pay Particular tribuite to:
- sr.Mauread (1984-principal)
-Sr.Collet mac cann
-Sr. Theresia( only black african sr. inmy days)
-pa leke( discipline master)
- sr. Magellan
In those days, they worked like crazy to groom me into what I am today.
If I were in Cameroon, my two girls would have automatically attended this unique institution.However I wish all OPSANS especially those of the Douala branch God speed.

[momiprincess mathilda nkwo]

Well written. Akang. this is momiprincess mathilda nkwo, your aunt

[Nge Tayo]

i thank my parents for sending me to QRHS. As a mother of 2 girls i will not hesitate to send my two daughters to okoyong so the can have the same values that were instilled to me be instilled to them.i miss those days of playing volleyball and singing in the chapel on sundays.worst of all,"pa eteh's conchie"

[Ayuk Mirabel]

I am so moved by everything i have read on this page but it does not get to half of what i felt when i saw that picture.There is this flash back of everything i went through, i am proud to be an APSAN.Long live QRHS.

[MBAKE G]

is rev. father GEORGE KINGE NGOMBA THE PRINCIPAL(2010)?

[Tambe Roseline]

I was at QRC some few years ago.I have been in Germany since 2004.Well, mycousins are still there.

[Tambe Roseline]

Plaese i will be greatful igf you guys help to find me some telephone numbers of some UPSANSfrom 1997-2010 gecause i have loose contacts with my friends.Thanks for your understanding

[Tambe Roseline]

Sharon Nkwo and friends i will be very happy to hear from you. I guese you can still remember who Tambe Roseline is. My number in Germany is 0049/719650

[Tambe Roseline]

my numbers are:0049/1753373684,0049/17685285510,0049
2863719650 or 51

[Barrister SALLEY Elizabeth nee ETA AGBOR]

LOOKING AT THE PICTURES BRINGS A LOT OF NOSTALGIA.OH FATIMA HOUSE! THE BRIGHTEST AND BEST HOUSE IN OKOYONG- A HOUSE THAT SUCCESSFULLY PULLS AND SENDS OUT THE BEST PRODUCTS.NOT PER CHANCE THOUGH! IT JUST HAPPENED THAT WAY.THE SAME REASON MY DAUGHTER WAS PULLED TO FATIMA HOUSE.
I WISH I COULD HAVE THE ADDRESSES OF SISTERS BENEN, MAGELLA, FITZPATRICK MAUREAD AND Sr.JEAN the American - they were very instrumental to our successes.My Email:queenisaac2212@yahoo.ca

[Bernice Angoh]

OKOYONG MY HOME

(I love my alma mata)

There is a place just behind the hills of Mamfe
where birds dance and rosaries sing
It is there in the heat of the sun that I planted my dreams
dreams of a queen and far away fairies
I was there I’m sure I was
I still have the scars to show I was there
Walking down Loreto street in early morn
praying and hoping I met no ghosts
still my goose bumps give away the fear inside
and off I go running brushing some skin against a stone

Class is fun but punishment stinks
Cut the grass or carry blocks of cement, crack egussi or go fetch water from the ram
if I had a choice I’d sit on my throne and won’t even have cornchaff any day for lunch
Siesta, who says I need a nap? That’s a rap, I think I’m trapped
and the time keeper is ever so eager with her faulty wristwatch
to ring that bell and cut through my daydream
I have read his letter a million times today
he signed it 'sincerely' , a far cry from 'love'
I have a mad crush and he doesn’t even know
I must braid my hair at night for summer’s almost here
a woman is never fully dressed without a full head of hair

I’ll ace that test I should, I must for
mama’s hurting for money and my grade will be her gift
okay, who came up with prep time in the hot afternoon
it must be he who thought foxes could dance without music
well, my music died in the weevil I crushed from my dinner plate
and now I must pray to the virgin Mary yet again
“Holy Mary full of Grace blessed art thou amongst women…”
I sit next to the door, still aching from the marathon of survival
from the refectory to here, focus, focus, I say to myself
after tonight weekend’s here and spicy food will surely appear
she comes behind the ‘Dungeon’ to sell fufu and eru
whoever has one hundred francs can feast that day

I will skip morning mass if I could
but I can’t bear to see my name on that list again
Letters pass around from hand to hand, she pops in to say hi and I’m the envy of the night
she’s two classes ahead and can sometimes bail me out
with biscuits and chocolate or fried chicken from home

Oh what memories I hold so dear
of a place that’ll seem so unpleasant for most
Oh what memories I hold so clear, so clear now
there in the fiery bushes packed with thorns
between the pitted toilets that held all flies
and half hearted smiles among the flowers I pluck, there was magic in the red stained dust
it clung to my feet, sandal and hair but usually gone after the next morning’s hard cold shower
--cold enough to rob sleeping beauty of her sleep forever
Graduation came and took away some friends too
but back at home I realized something cool
The place I sometimes loathed and couldn’t wait to leave
wore on my heart like a heavy metalic chain, so I opened my heart to clear it out
but all I found was red stained dust among many other things
Many years ago I washed it off my feet, my sandal and my hair
but the magic of it stayed with me till now
There is a place just behind the hills of Mamfe
where birds dance and rosaries sing
It is there in the heat of the sun that I planted my dreams.

Copyright © 2009 Bernice Angoh