According to Transparency International, corruption has deeply affected the public sector in the country of Cameroon. It ranks 136 out of 177 for corruption. One former Cameroonian official said the report isn't misguided.
Her name is Patience Molle Lobe, and she has long been a trailblazer. She was the first woman to earn an engineering degree in her country. She has also survived the turbulent world of Cameroonian politics: People have tried to kill her three times.
PATIENCE MOLLE LOBE
Former Director of the Ministry of Infrastructure (Cameroon)
'When you have arms here you have fear! I spent many, many months with bad sleeping. The first time, they sent a small boy to attack me, so he didn't succeed. I see that like a miracle of God. The second time they sent in my house one night seven armed robbers. The third time militaries were sent to attack me and they didn't find me, so I think when we do good for God, also some miracles can happen.'
She said that as she rose higher in government, it became obvious that corruption was a problem. Public accounts often had incorrect balances. And people would try to brush her off when she tried to act with integrity.
Deep Catholic convictions inform her daily life. She belongs to the Focolare Movement and stresses that her faith helped her through difficult times.
PATIENCE MOLLE LOBE
Former Director of the Ministry of Infrastructure (Cameroon)
'Because if you believe of the Gospel, the Gospel is to be lived. If we believe of the Gospel, we believe that God loves us. And if we love, we live for the others. Really I can say I make the experience of providence everyday.'
Currently, she works with the Focolare Movement to propose new approahces to public policy and government. They hope to revolutionize politics. Their goal is make members of different parties work together in pursuit of the common good.
JRB/ATO
AA / Focolari
SV
-PR
Up: MPI
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