A Personal Reflection from the University of Buea Event
On April 18, 2026, the University of Buea became a hub of empowerment and reflection. Organized by a powerhouse collaboration between Mentorship Matters Africa, HerBlueprint Africa, and DataGirl, the event served a triple purpose: honoring International Women’s Day, celebrating the first anniversary of Mentorship Matters Africa, and most importantly tackling the psychological hurdles that keep many from reaching the finish line.
• A Morning of Preparation and Connection
The journey began early for many, including organizers traveling from Douala, Bamenda, Buea to the Classroom Block 1 in the University of Buea v. Before the formal proceedings, the atmosphere was one of camaraderie. As project presenters and invitees arrived, the organizers took a moment to capture the energy of the day through photos, setting a tone of joy and community before diving into the agenda.
• The Heart of the Event: How To Break A Pattern.
While the day was filled with insightful welcoming words and diverse activities, the standout moment for me was the keynote presentation by Mrs . Endah Bongo Awah, founder of Mentorship Matters Africa. Her session on “How to Break Patterns” provided a profound “aha” moment for many in attendance.
She defined patterns as default decisions we stop making consciously. When we operate on “autopilot,” we often fall into cycles that prevent us from completing our goals.
• Understanding the Three Invisible Patterns
To break a cycle, you must first understand its anatomy. Mrs Awah outlined three specific invisible patterns:
• Undefined Patterns: These are the habits we haven’t yet labeled. Because they lack a name or a clear definition, they influence our behavior from the shadows.
• Unrecognized Patterns: These occur when we see the results (like failure or incompletion) but fail to connect them to our own recurring actions.
• Unanticipated Patterns: These are the triggers we don’t see coming. Because we don’t plan for them, they catch us off guard and derail our progress every time.
The Roadmap to Change
The presentation didn’t just diagnose the problem; it provided a four-step framework for personal liberation:
- See It: Name the problem. Awareness is 50% of the battle.
- Own It: Accept responsibility for the pattern without self-judgment.
- Break It: Actively choose a different response when the trigger arises.
- Become It: Consistently practice the new behavior until it becomes your new, healthy “default.”
For many, including those of us on the organizing team, this session was more than just a lecture it was a mirror. It revealed the quiet, “slow-killing” habits of incompletion and provided the tools to finally move past them.
The day was truly an interesting one with the showcase of AI projects being an item on the agenda. Here we had 3 presentations of AI projects from young and dynamic youths who identified problems around them and developed solutions to solving these problems. It was truly amazing seeing young people make use of AI to solve problems .This actually proofs that AI is a mirror and not the enemy . It does only what you give it so prompt rightly.Everyone was urged to make the most of AI as it an agent to be utilized efficiently.
So don’t wait to have everything figured out, start now,start incomplete. Work till you meet the other you.(Better Version of You)
Can an event end without pictures? Definitely not. We had amazing shots at the end of the event to keep memories of an incredible day .The event did not just end with shots, there was a well organised refreshment which had delicious meals and drinks.
The event concluded not just as a celebration of a year of mentorship, but as the starting point for a lifetime of more conscious, completed journeys.
Author
I am an Electrical Engineer and dedicated teacher at HIMED, passionate about empowering the next generation through education, mentorship, and advocacy. Beyond the classroom, I volunteer with BWC and Herblueprint Africa, encouraging women’s development and advocating for SDG 1(No poverty )SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 7 (Affordable and clean energy). As a public speaker and proud Jesus’ gurl, I use my voice to inspire others to live with purpose, integrity, and faith. Currently, I’m exploring ways to merge technology, education, and empowerment initiatives to create lasting social change.,
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