Success, to me, is touching a life which never thought it could be touched.

‘It is leaving people more hopeful than you found them, giving them the strength they need to face the future and giving them a reason to live,’ says Honorine Budji, project delivery officer for British Council Cameroon.

She says she has a tolerant nature which enables her to get along well with people – perhaps a quality she developed as one of four siblings who shared a playful and adventurous childhood.

‘I was smart and very playful, so I am told. I was a curious, adventurous and creative child. I am told I never lost my kindness and gentle nature.’

Her job is to help manage the British Council’s country, regional and global projects.  

One of these is Connecting Classrooms, a school link programme, and another is InterAction, a programme that aims to groom African leaders.

‘I also assist in the production and distribution of communication products arising from project activity. I help collect, process and report the data gathered from projects.’

Another aspect of her work is supporting external professional forums and networking events organised by the British Council.

‘In all this there is a lot to learn and a great opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives.

‘I try to give all I have, and to be creative and adapt to whichever context I find myself in,’ she says.

What Budji loves most about her job is interacting with a diverse range of people from all walks of life.

‘I have met a number of strategic leaders at national level as well as international level. These leaders have given me the opportunity to help make a positive difference in their lives with the goal that this positive change trickles down.’

She believes that her job is a necessary stepping stone for her to make a difference in Africa and the world at large.

‘I believe in striving to build a world where more and more people value life and where everyone is valued,’ says Budji.

When confronted with conflict situations, Budji says, she doesn’t become furious – she becomes curious.

‘Being curious helps me to be more open in finding out without bias why the other person is behaving in a certain way.

‘I believe there are influences that cause people to behave the way they do at a given time or in a given context. I accept that others may have different opinions and there is a need to respect that.’

Budji says understanding the issues that caused the conflict helps her deal better with her own reactions.

A smile also helps. ‘I have never been rude in a conflict situation and I intend to keep it that way.’

She sees success as being able to make someone’s life better. ‘It does not hurt to add that success includes earning your daily bread.’

What she knows for sure about life is that there will always be sunshine and rainy days but it’s up to a person to make sure that the rainy days don’t last longer than necessary.

‘There will be tears and there will be joy, but the tears will last longer when we do nothing or refuse to let go.’

In her spare time Budji enjoys singing, writing songs, cooking, watching movies and hanging out with her family.

‘I believe a fundamental part of life is being with people, loving people, living with them, building and maintaining relationships.’