It was a bright, sunny African morning when the gates of Good Shepherd Academy opened to receive the inaugural class of coed students. Children ages 11 and 12 arrived on Friday, September 9th to settle into their new dormitory, complete with handmade wooden bunk beds, wardrobes, and joy of joy — indoor showers and toilets!

In they came from the North West Province and surrounding areas, with parents as wide-eyed as the students. But one parent stood out from them all — Sister Jane Mankaa who arrived with twelve of her children from Good Shepherd Home in Bamenda and Batibo. Grinning from ear to ear, greeting and hugging parents and faculty alike, Sister Jane was in her element.

Good Shepherd Academy was her brainchild, born over a decade ago and now her vision is reality. Joining hands in a cross-cultural partnership with Good Shepherd SLF, she and her Board of Governors worked tirelessly with our Board of Directors on every minute detail. And the result? An On Time/On Budget completion of Phase 1, with plans for Phase 2 already underway.

Each one of you who donated to this transformational project has Built a School, Built a Future for Cameroonian students that is changing their lives forever. Each one of you who prayed, lifted spirits on both sides of the Atlantic in those inevitably challenging times.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support, commitment and dedication! Enjoy this brief video of Phase 1 of Good Shepherd Academy, as well as pictures of the first day of classes as we continue to labor in the vineyard God has planted for us all.