HELLO EVERYONE, NEWS! GOOD NEWS!

CEOSA NORTH AMERICA

“RETURNING TO OUR ROOTS”

3 – 6 AUGUST 2017; HUNTINGTON UNIVERSITY, INDIANA

This year’s convention is going to be historical, and I am encouraging everyone to try to be a part of history. Consider it to be a platform to connect with the University; a reunion with the UBC mission and former missionaries who served at Centennial, Bumpe and Minnie Mull Schools and a time to show gratitude to those who paved the way for Centennial students past, present, and future. Consider it a vacation time for you and your family as we explore the Huntington, Indiana region.

Reunion Night – Thursday, August 3^rd

Arrivals meet and greet. The program will entail a Reunion (Venue to be determined) from 6 – 11 PM

Convention – Friday, August 4^th  

Convention Highlights include:

• Keynote Speaker:  Rita Ngadie Savage, Chairman, Bonthe District Council.

Through her efforts, Ms. Savage secured a grant from European Union (EU) to rehabilitate the girl’s dormitory. She has promised to continue to work in the interest of Centennial, and we hope to continue to work with her.

• Message from Centennial Secondary School – Sulaiman Sengeh, Principal

Principal Sengeh will be here in person to share with us the challenges that face the school and the opportunities that should be explored to improve life for current students.

• Huntington University & CSS Partnership – Dr. Michael Wanous/Dr. Luke Fetters

It is an opportunity for a face to face meeting with the representatives from the Huntington University Dr. Michael Wanous and Dr. Luke Fetters who were at the 2016 convention in Lanham, Maryland.

• Missionaries Panel Discussion – Nancy Hull-Ngele

Ms. Hull -Ngele will head the Missionaries’ panel discussion and will be giving us an in-depth historical account of the school – “The making of Centennial.” The convention will be a great opportunity to meet with her. By the way, she still looks good and is very active. Some of us remember her as the boarding home mistress for Sherbro Dormitory.

• Show and Tell: A Gem of Video Footages from Sierra Leone –  Ron Baker

What is Centennial without a Baker?  Ngo Ron as we fondly call him will be with us. He has tried over the years to keep abreast of matters concerning Centennial and CeOSA. He has made a concerted effort to participate in many CeOSA conventions and will be sharing some of his memories and his thoughts on the way forward. He promised us last year at the convention in Maryland that he will be making a trip to Mattru to see what can be done to improve the hospital and make health care available to the community. It is a promise he has kept. Come and hear his first- hand account. CeOSA members from Mattru Jong, this should be of the utmost importance to you as many of your relatives currently in the region stand to benefit greatly from this venture.

After attending many conventions, Ngo Ron has now officially become a CeOSA member, and he was the first to pay his dues this year. Please follow his lead.

• CeOSA in North America – Mr. Francis Mustapha and Rev. Joe Abu

Without these two elders, there may not be a CeOSA North America. They laid the foundation on which we are now building. It will be great to hear their accounts and struggles and determination to keep Centennial alive in the hearts of old students in the diaspora.

• Mama Hoffman Endowment Fund – Mr. Jim Hoffman

Mr. Hoffman is the nephew of the late Ms. Bernadine Hoffman (Mama Hoffman). Mama Hoffman is gone, but her love for Centennial is still alive. Mr. Hoffman will be sharing some exciting news about the “Bernadine Hoffman Endowment Fund” which was created to benefit Centennial Students.

A Day of Gratitude – Saturday, August 5th

Give honor to whom honor is due. This year we have dedicated a day to honor the great men and women who worked tirelessly to establish and keep Centennial school going. Some of them are no longer with us. On the top of the list ranks DR.E. Dewitt (Pa Baker) and Evelyn Baker (Mama Baker), Mama Hoffman and others.

WE WILL BE HAVING A WREATH-LAYING CEREMONY AT THE GRAVESITES OF THE BAKERS AND MAMA HOFFMAN.

Both the Bakers and Mama Hoffman were laid to rest in Michigan; traveling from Indiana to Michigan will also give us an opportunity to visit the communities in that area. Think of this event as a field trip of gratitude.

Thanksgiving Service- Sunday, August 6^th

We will give thanks to the one who deserves all glory and Honor; “The Almighty God.” We will be worshiping at College Park United Brethren Church on the Hunting University Campus at 8:30 am.  Rev. Gary Dilley graciously consented to include CeOSA in their worship program.

 CONVENTION FEE: DELEGATE $350/$275

The 2017 Convention fee will be $350. This amount will cover lodging for three nights (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday); Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner on Friday and Saturday; and Breakfast and Lunch on Sunday.  It also includes the cost of the Convention and its paraphernalia, program booklets and transportation from Huntington to Michigan and back for the Wreath Laying Ceremony at the gravesite of our founding parents, E. DeWitt, Shirley Baker and Mama Hoffman.

FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO WILL NOT NEED LODGING THE CONVENTION FEE INCLUDING MEALS DURING THE CONVENTION IS $275 (FRIDAY, SATURDAY, AND SUNDAY).

Those who want to come with their family to experience history in the making, please contact the Secretary General Comfort Macauley- Kabay via email comfort@myceosa.org or phone or Text Via WhatsApp 301 648 0430

PAYING WITH CHECK

Payment with Check is welcome.

You may DEPOSIT the Check/money directly into the CeOSA Convention Project account at the nearest Capital One Bank. The Account number is 1361349047.

After depositing your check or money, please call (WhatsApp) Mrs. Comfort Macauley-Kabay, at (301) 674-8516.  Include your name and the amount you deposited. You may also send an email to info@myceosa.org and copy the Project Coordinator at comfort@myceosa.org.

ONLINE PAYMENT:

We provide the Online Payment Option only for convenience.  CREDIT or DEBIT CARD Online payment via PayPal is also available directly from our website at www.myceosa.org. There is an $11.00 ($350 Plus $11.00=$361.00 or $275.00 plus $8.30=$283.30) service charge, and you must add that to any one-time payment processed through this option.

Please note that the convention package does not include expenses related to the following:

• Reunion event
• CeOSA Annual Membership Dues of $100.00
• Traveling to Huntington

Now you can see this is the convention of excitements. It is a historic one indeed. I encourage you to create the time to be a part of it. Consider this convention as a philanthropic vacation. It is for a good cause; “Together let us March” as we “Return to our Roots” to create a better future for our school and its students. We were once in their position; some people sacrificed so we can have a better future, let us return the favor.

SUMMARY OF KEY CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS:

THEME:  “TOGETHER LET US MARCH: RETURNING TO OUR ROOTS.”

Date: Thursday, August 3 – Sunday, August 6

• Keynote Speaker:  Rita Ngadie Savage, Chairman, Bonthe District Council
• Message from Centennial Secondary School – Sulaiman Sengeh, Principal
• Huntington University & CSS Partnership – Dr. Michael Wanous/Dr. Luke Fetters
• Missionaries Panel Discussion – by Nancy Hull-Ngele
• Show and Tell:  A Gem Of Video Footages from Sierra Leone – Dr. Ron Baker
• CeOSA in North America – Mr. Francis Mustapha and Rev. Joe Abu
• Mama Hoffman Endowment Fund – Mr. Jim Hoffman

Cost:  Delegate/Observer: $350.00
Partial Delegate: $275.00

CONVENTION MATTERS:

Please refer all CeOSA 2017 Convention money matters to the Secretary-General and Convention Coordinator, Mrs. Comfort Macauley Kabay, at 301-648-0430 or by email to comfort@myceosa.org.

Note: We welcome your donations and, your participation at the 2017 convention.

FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACTS THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE:

Comfort Macauley: (301) 648-0430/ Rev. Charles CKC Conteh: (240) 354-4066/ Abdul Kamara: 610-674-8516/Rosaline Conteh (240) 334-1081 and Askia: 240-374-3303

ABOUT CEOSA:

CeOSA is a 501(C) 3 nonprofit organization that provides a reunion platform for alumni to benefit Centennial Secondary School in Mattru Jong, its students, and the community.

CENTENNIAL SECONDARY SCHOOL:

Established January 7, 1955, by Missionaries of the United Brethren in Christ (UBC) Church, Centennial Secondary School is the first Co-educational secondary school in Sierra Leone.

For more information, call 240-374-3303 or email info@myceosa.org