Meet the Fotso Family

The Fotso family joined SLCS almost two decades ago when Ghislaine was pregnant with their first born daughter, Alyson.  The Fotsos, both young and enthusiastic, found a home at St. Laurence Catholic Church for their faith when they first moved to Missouri City and spotted the church during their discovery ride.

Ghislaine is happily married to Eric Fotso, with three beautiful daughters, Alyson (18), Lauren (16), and Eden (9). Alyson is a freshman at Texas A&M University, Lauren is a high school junior at Clements, and Eden is a fourth grader at SLCS. The family are animal lovers, always happy to open their home to new pets. Recently they owned two parakeets, but eventually, they flew away. 

Eric and Ghislaine were born and raised in Cameroon, a beautiful country in Central Africa. The official languages are French and English, and they grew up in a predominantly French-speaking area. According to Ghislaine, there are over 200 dialects and ethnic groups, and the country is multicultural and diverse. Cameroon has one of the best soccer teams which proudly represented the nation at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. 

The Fotso family is a product of Catholic education. Eric and Ghislaine are cradle Catholics and went through Catholic education themselves. When they found St. Laurence Church, naturally they decided to send their kids to the parish school. The warmth of our parish staff and the ambiance of church mass reconfirmed everything for them.  

School Mass every Friday is beautiful and is adored by many SLCS parents. Ghislaine is no exception to that, with Eden the youngest of three, singing beautifully in the choir now. Ghislaine has many fond memories at our church, from the Baptism of their girls, First Holy Communion to Confirmation. Heritage Day is one of the most memorable moments for the Fotsos as well when all cultures come together to celebrate faith, love, and diversity.  

The Fotsos are part of the St. Laurence African Catholic Community Ministry and enjoy their St. Jude Feast Day Celebration on October 28 at our church. The celebration, welcomed by our parish, brought in beautiful and authentic African music and their deep faith in God. 

Eric is a mechanical engineer, an entrepreneur, and is passionate about providing clean water to rural areas of Central Africa. Ghislaine, a pharmacist and a successful business owner, is actively helping in many activities around SLCS. She is serving the second year of her three-year term on the Advisory School Council. When asked to share some advice, she said the following:  Answer the calling of God when you hear it and be ready to serve without hesitation. SLCS is a great community, and she loves our school deeply. She is very grateful for the Catholic education that herself, her husband, and her kids were blessed with. 

Favorite family tradition from the Fotsos:

Ghislaine and Eric travel back to Cameroon every year with the girls, where the youngsters learn about their traditions and cultural background in a profound way by visiting villages, taking cooking classes, learning how to weave bamboo baskets, etc. The Fotso girls learn and practice their bargaining skills with street vendors in the local markets. What a great way to educate kids! 

What can be your testimonial about SLCS? 

We have chosen St. Laurence Catholic School for its mission and values. SLCS provides not only rigorous academic education, but also a solid foundation of Christian faith, respect, discipline, and stewardship, which help guide young individuals to transform into future servants and leaders.

The leadership of Principal Barto and Rev. Fr. Wood is remarkable. The faculty, staff, and clergy deliver exquisite jobs, the PTO graciously offers invaluable aid with fun school events throughout the year. The Before and After School Program, BASC, is a bonus! Our 4th grader enjoys it!! Moreover, the cafeteria does an exceptional job providing lunches for our Saints. 

As a school family for nearly 14 years, we noticed that there are various opportunities that allow parents to engage in their child’s school life, for both working and non-working parents. 

Furthermore, we are pleased with the strong collaboration between the school and the parish. The involvement of the Clergy at SLCS is clearly noticeable. The students get ample opportunities to serve our community through service projects and the collaboration of the Social Concerns Ministry. School Masses, Meet-Me-At-Mass, SLCS Ministry Highlight, PTO Family Rosary, etc., engage the students in such an incredible fashion. 

In all, the school sets a welcoming environment for both Catholic and non-Catholic families. SLCS is a place where children can experience quality learning and create healthy relationships with their peers.