Editorial

from BCA-USA Mirror 2022

Paroles de Sagesse

COVID-19 changed life as we knew it in so many ways. From the way we communicate, to how we work and care for others, personal relationships, and much more. Our committee had some things in place to help maintain communications. For instance, back in 2018 we had created a BCA-USA Zoom account to use for streaming the convention to members who could not attend physically. With the restrictions to large gatherings imposed by the pandemic, various organs of the association including (local chapters and committees) have been able to use the association’s Zoom account for their various meetings.

Despite the disruption to life due to the pandemic, our committee has through the monthly newsletter (Bà sa’ kə ɛ?) continued to inform members of developments within BCA-USA as well as celebrate member milestones. In addition, we publish an annual review in December highlighting the association’s accomplishments of the year. These electronic publications are sent directly to the email addresses of members and a link shared via text so that members can view it on their mobile devices. However, with over 1000 members, it is still a challenge to reach every member. We encourage you to subscribe to the newsletter on our website www.bca-usa.org so you don’t miss out on the newsletter and other important communication from BCA-USA.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the BCA-USA Mirror has not been published for two years. This year being our first in-person convention since 2019, we are delighted to present to you another edition of the convention magazine. Within the pages of this magazine, we aim to reflect as much about BCA and its membership as possible through features and chapter reports (pages 43 - 57). Other highlights include an extensive interview with outgoing president Ni Clarence Ndangam as he reflects on his time in office (pages 27 - 31). Notwithstanding the challenges of the pandemic, BCA-USA sponsored projects in Bali aimed at improving healthcare and access to water (pages 34 -35). In recognition of how COVID-19 affected our lives in the last two years, we include some member reflections on their experiences and resilience during the pandemic (pages 38 - 41). In celebration of some of the heroes of the pandemic, we feature BCA members who are frontline workers in healthcare (36 - 37). We also remember BCA-USA members who have passed on since our last in-person convention in 2019 (page 66). May they all rest in peace.