About LESA USA
A proud chapter of the global Lourdes Ex-Students Association, uniting the alumnae of Our Lady of Lourdes College who call the United States home.
Founded in Maryland, 1992
LESA USA is a chapter of the Lourdes Ex-Students Association (LESA), made up of ex-students of Our Lady of Lourdes College, Mankon, Bamenda, who voluntarily enroll in the Association and reside in the United States. We work with our sister chapters around the world to pursue the LESA vision together.
Our parent association was born in 1971 in Bamenda, Cameroon, and has since grown into a worldwide sisterhood. Our history — as big and dramatic as the nation itself — has built a chapter whose doors are open to every Lourdes Ex-Student with the will and the heart to belong.
We honour the visionaries of Our Lady of Lourdes College, the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary who shaped us, the big sisters who laid LESA's foundation, and the souls of departed LESANs.
“While we may leave Lourdes, Lourdes never truly leaves us.”— LESA 101, Education Committee
Our Lady of Lourdes College, Mankon
Founded when educating the girl child was considered odd, Lourdes was the vision of Rev. Fr. Mathew Nabben, who believed an educated woman would help build a solid nation. Bishop Peeters invited the Holy Rosary Sisters of Ireland to run the school.
Today Lourdes has produced thousands of phenomenal women across every walk of life — and we remain loyal to protecting all that is special about it, so future generations receive a first-class education rooted in Christian values.
Visit lourdes-mankon.org1963 — the Holy Rosary Sisters arrive in Mankon.
1963 — doors open to the first 35 girls.
Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, our patron.
Unity, Love and Service guide everything we do.
What LESA stands for
Ensure continuity in the Christian education LESANs received at Lourdes College and reinforce Christian values.
Maintain a healthy relationship among LESANs.
Assist LESANs morally and materially.
Strengthen the bond between LESANs and the school.
Identify and undertake humanitarian and philanthropic projects that benefit the societies LESANs live in.
LESANs will be good examples wherever they are.
Every LESAN counts
Full member
Anyone who spent any length of time at Our Lady of Lourdes College as a student and is duly registered and active in a branch.
Associate member
A past or present teacher, or anyone closely associated with Lourdes College. No voting rights.
Honorary member
Anyone sympathetic to LESA's objectives or with outstanding service to LESA. No voting rights.