Our Story
HOPSA USA-CANADA: MEMORY LANE
My name is Theresa Abena Bennin (née Amoah), a retired Biochemist /Chemistry Teacher. I attended Holy Child School, Cape Coast, from 1965 to 1972 (Form 1 to Upper 6). Looking back at my life, attending Holy Child is one of my life’s BEST undertakings.
I had the privilege of teaching at the Holy Child Secondary School in Calabar, Nigeria in the 80s. While there, I was a very active member and the Treasurer of the HOPSA branch in the Cross River State, Nigeria.
When my family relocated to the U.S., I realized that there was no HOPSA branch in the United States. or Canada, even though there were so many HOPSANS in both countries. My gut feeling was that we needed to have a national association!
I was then living in New Jersey, so I contacted a few HOPSANS I knew in the NJ area. These HOPSANS were not my classmates, but they all loved and supported the idea. A flame was ignited then.
Between the Fall of 2005 and early 2006, several HOPSANS experienced various unexpected life events which triggered some real ACTION. A HOPSAN passed away, and two HOPSANS lost their loved ones in Texas, California, and Virginia, respectively. In each case, I made a few calls to some HOPSANS and we were able to organize ourselves to send a delegation with donations to support and comfort the bereaved families. These rather unfortunate situations brought us even closer.
In the summer of 2006, I decided that it was about time we formed a HOPSA branch in the USA & Canada for the alumnae of Holy Child School, Cape Coast and Holy Child Training College, Tarkoradi. I went back to the core contacts, and they all agreed that it was a good idea, and as our school motto goes, “ACTIONS, NOT WORDS”, we immediately went into action mode.
I contacted Dr. Victor Essien who is one of the Privileged Husbands, a renowned Lawyer and one of our patrons as well as our current Legal Advisor. Dr. Essien very graciously agreed to take care of all the legal aspects of our registration without charging any fee. So, HOPSA USA-Canada was registered as a non-profit organization in New Jersey in early 2007. This was followed by a successful inauguration on July 7, 2007 (07/07/07).
My vision was, and still is:
- To form a HOPSA branch for all HOPSANS, regardless of year group.
- HOPSA USA–Canada, as an association, will provide educational and material support to the students at our alma mater.
- To provide emotional support to our sisters here in the USA and Canada in times of loss/hardship and celebrate with each other in times of joy.
The HOPSA USA-Canada we have now could not have been possible without the ladies I call Co-Founders. These include: Felicity Polley (nee Bentoom ‘72), Georgina Nantwi (nee Aidoo: ‘74), Veronica Mante (nee Buadoo ’74), Ophelia Essien (nee Opoku-Pare ’74) Sekyiwa Williams (nee Dadzie ’73), Edna Thompson (nee Falconer ‘76), Evelyn Biney (nee Biney ’74), Anita Mitchual (nee Appiah ’75), Dr. Nana Graves ’64 and Vida Kwansa of blessed memory (nee Essien ’64).
These HOPSANS worked tirelessly in various capacities to nurture the young HOPSA USA-Canada until we were able to get on our feet and they continue to act as advisors for our noble association.
Looking back, we have been able to follow our vision, but we need to continue tirelessly to do more to support our alma mater and improve our sisterly love, with the Spirit of the Holy Child Jesus in us.
Be part of this vision! We need all hands on deck! We need to be there for each other!
Let’s help today’s young students – – our FUTURE!
ACTIONS, NOT WORDS
The Angel Hill Girls
They came from far and near to the Angel Hill,
Not minding the daily drill.
For the faithful women who came from the west,
They gave us all their best.
Now it is our turn to run, to do the best we can.
For our Alma mater, who made us all matter.
Our time, our talent and treasure we share.
To let the Angel Hill girls know we care,
Come and let us show our gratitude,
For love has no substitute.
Your efforts would be rewarded,
For everything you do is recorded.
By Theresa Abena Bennin
HOPSA Class of 1970