Mission

St. Joseph’s Comprehensive High School in Bafut, Cameroon supports the development of a new generation of leaders. To accomplish this goal, St. Joseph’s provides a supportive education for academically talented young girls who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

St. Joseph strives to provide the tools necessary for the girls to embrace their awareness of their voices and choices. Graduates of St. Joseph’s will process the skills and knowledge to assume their role as leaders in Africa and beyond.

Mary's Journey

In April of 2001, my life was shattered by the loss of my husband, Greg Rose, a wonderful, compassionate, and generous man. When he first died, I felt nothing but the void in my life. Then, with the help of the mighty and gentle Franciscan Sisters at Milwaukee’s Saint Ann Center, I began to see that it wasn’t a void, but a doorway. Read more...

Teacher with a Mission

“Before I came to visit St. Joseph's, I only had a rough idea of the life for girls in Cameroon. Now that I’m here, I realize how important educating young women is for the advancement of the whole country and Africa as a whole. Women are the foundation,walls and roof of Cameroonian society, and without empowering them we cannot hope to alleviate poverty and suffering.

The girls a St. Joseph's are so eager to learn: everyday I am amazed as they ask for more classes and more homework!  Like sponges, anything one imparts on them is immediately soaked up and internalized. Although the teachers and students lack much, they do the best with whatever they have, and I know that with more support and help, St Joseph’s can truly bloom into a place of academic excellence.”

Catherine Procknow
Teacher at St Joseph’s Comprehensive High School 2010
Teacher Global Exchange Program
Visit Catherine's Blog from Cameroon