17
basketball, I learnt team work and the
necessity of pushing sometimes beyond our
set limits to reach for a certain goal.
The strong religious influence was also
invaluable for later years. The discipline
inculcated in us combined with the spirit of
hard work which is part and parcel of the
spirit of St. Bedes formed me to
accept the discipline and rigor of medical
school.
6. What hurdles, if any, did you overcome
along the way, and how?
There are always hurdles, it just depends
how u use them as opportunities to grow or
to make you smaller. Challenges are
important and without them, we will never
realize our full potential, we must
grow each time we face them and not allow
them to put us down. Do not be afraid of
hurdles, do not run from them, learn from
them. The hurdles I faced where more of in
the internal sphere. I had to learn to know
what I really want and to reach for it,
without trying to please the whole world. I
am still learning that, I am not yet there .I
generally try to please people, but I quickly
realize at the end, you cannot and the only
person who suffers is you. Other challenges
included, being myself, embracing, my skills,
weaknesses, gifts and just loving me,
sometimes, the person we criticize most is
the person in the mirror. But we should love
ourselves so that we can love others.
Leaving university and getting into the work
force, is another big hurdle. In Yaounde, had
lots of friends and I was at ease among my
professors and environment. But after
graduating, I chose to work in Douala, to be
closer to my family. I work in the same
hospital as my Dad.
And one of the big challenges I faced, was
getting people to accept me for who I was
as a person and not to judge me based on
my Dad - to find my feet and acceptance in
a new world. It is not always easy, but each
day, I learn more to be me, to work harder
so that I can be accepted and trusted on my
own merits. Not to compare but to offer the
unique gift which only me can give.
7. What advice do you have for students
who aspire to pursue your
career/academic path, and for current St.
Bede’s College students overall?
If you want to do medicine, you must love
it, don’t do it for the money, don’t do it to
try to please anybody, do it for the heart of
it. You need the sciences mostly Biology,
Chemistry, Physics and some Maths. And all
the other things you pick up unconsciously,
teamwork, the spirit of hard work and
French especially in Cameroon. You should
be willing to work hard and to give it your
best shot. But in all, follow your dream, live
your passion. Be who you want to be.
NEVER EVER GIVE UP ON YOU… all battles
end when you stop trying, even the battle
of making you a better person. Don’t be
afraid to say I am sorry or of starting again.
Work hard and fight for what you want. It’s
not going to take a day, but it is one day at a
time, a series of choices. It’s not all about
academics, but it is everything that is you
from your smile to your talents and that is
what will take you to where you want to
me. Serve with Love…somebody remembers