Bright smiles, energetic greetings and warm embraces greet visitors to Cornelia Connelly School of the Holy Child Jesus, Cape Coast, Ghana, which opened its doors in 2012 on a founding feast day of the Society, 15th October.

The dream of Sister Alberta Bonle, SHCJ, began with three pupils for the first term with another four arriving to finish its first academic year.  The second year saw the number grow to thirty-seven with more students promised for the coming year. The youngest children are about a year old and, at present, the oldest are eight but eventually the school will expand to provide basic secondary education.

The classroom space is within the SHCJ candidates’ house – where African province sisters begin their formation. However, Sisters Felicity (principal) and Anne, as well as the two lay teachers and a nanny, hope that a block of classrooms will be built this coming year to accommodate the growing number of students. They also plan to purchase a school bus.

In making new beginnings, the sisters follow in Cornelia’s footsteps and find it very exciting and challenging.