My Father's Gift
by
Sixtus Z. Atabong
Sixtus Z. Atabong
Genre: Memoir
“Sixtus’s father had only one request of Sixtus—‘give back.’ And give back he did.”
—Edward C. Benzel, MD, emeritus chairman of Neurosurgery, Cleveland Clinic
—Edward C. Benzel, MD, emeritus chairman of Neurosurgery, Cleveland Clinic
Born into a poor West African family in the disease-stricken town of
Fontem, John N. Atabong embarked into the unknown in search of
hope. He was eleven, but he triumphed against all odds to give his children
the best care and education available. Eventually, he sacrificed his
most valuable possession, his son Sixtus, sending him to study in the
The United States with nothing more than lessons learned from his days
working the farms and his father’s basic biblical teachings. Sixtus
Atabong's journey of temptations and challenges in the US gives rise
to a mission: to give back. He uses his gift to extend God’s
healing hands and unfailing love to the far corners of the earth
through sustainable healthcare infrastructures. Fulfilling his
father’s dream, Sixtus hopes that he too can leave the world a
better place than he found it.
Fontem, John N. Atabong embarked into the unknown in search of
hope. He was eleven, but he triumphed against all odds to give his children
the best care and education available. Eventually, he sacrificed his
most valuable possession, his son Sixtus, sending him to study in the
The United States with nothing more than lessons learned from his days
working the farms and his father’s basic biblical teachings. Sixtus
Atabong's journey of temptations and challenges in the US gives rise
to a mission: to give back. He uses his gift to extend God’s
healing hands and unfailing love to the far corners of the earth
through sustainable healthcare infrastructures. Fulfilling his
father’s dream, Sixtus hopes that he too can leave the world a
better place than he found it.
Sixtus Z. Atabong, PA-C, President and Founder of Purpose Medical Mission
(PMM) is a Neurosurgery Physician Assistant. PMM is a nonprofit
organization focusing on developing sustainable healthcare
infrastructure and services in developing countries. It has helped
build clinics and hospitals in Cameroon, The Democratic Republic of
Congo, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. Sixtus believes in empowering
communities with the knowledge and tools to address the global threat
of health disparity and lack of basic education.
(PMM) is a Neurosurgery Physician Assistant. PMM is a nonprofit
organization focusing on developing sustainable healthcare
infrastructure and services in developing countries. It has helped
build clinics and hospitals in Cameroon, The Democratic Republic of
Congo, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. Sixtus believes in empowering
communities with the knowledge and tools to address the global threat
of health disparity and lack of basic education.
Sixtus is the recipient of numerous local and national awards for his
leadership and humanitarian work, including the Texas Tech University
Health Sciences Center Hall of Fame Award and the American Red Cross
Humanitarian of Year Award. In 2013, he was awarded the PA Service to
the Underserved Award by the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
leadership and humanitarian work, including the Texas Tech University
Health Sciences Center Hall of Fame Award and the American Red Cross
Humanitarian of Year Award. In 2013, he was awarded the PA Service to
the Underserved Award by the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
Sixtus was born and raised in a small farming village in Muyuka
Sub-division, Cameroon, West Africa. He migrated to the United States
in 1995 where he faced many challenges, but eventually obtained a
Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences and a
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. He uses his life
experiences and voice to motivate individuals on attaining their
God-given purpose. He speaks on issues such as, living a purposeful
life, realizing your American dream, financial independence, and racial relations.
Sub-division, Cameroon, West Africa. He migrated to the United States
in 1995 where he faced many challenges, but eventually obtained a
Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences and a
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. He uses his life
experiences and voice to motivate individuals on attaining their
God-given purpose. He speaks on issues such as, living a purposeful
life, realizing your American dream, financial independence, and racial relations.
Sixtus' goals in life have been achieved through faith and
self-determination. He enjoys traveling the world with his family and
learning about different cultures. He lives in Lubbock, Texas, with
his wife, Kyu Mee, and their two sons.
self-determination. He enjoys traveling the world with his family and
learning about different cultures. He lives in Lubbock, Texas, with
his wife, Kyu Mee, and their two sons.
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Moving, the cover and the story are simply moving. I can imagine experiencing a range of emotions as I read the words of Sixtus Z. Atabong.
ReplyDeleteNot to reply to myself but I keep reading the excerpt and find so much power and emotion in it alone. Coming from a small farming town in the US and knowing what it means for a son or daughter to leave the family farm in the US...I can only imagine the impact on both John Atabong's life as well as Sixtus Atabong's life. Where I can only imagine those bonds and needs to continue as a family farm are more intense in West Africa.
DeleteThe cover is the best.
ReplyDeleteCover looks great
ReplyDeleteCover looks really interesting! I wanna dive nose deep in this book!!!
ReplyDeleteI love how hopeful and uplifting that cover looks. I don't think there is a lot of it anymore I think everyone need it right now. Uplifted.
ReplyDeleteThis is the kind of book I search for, and real stories of meaning. I want to check this out.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an incredible story and I'd love to learn more. Thanks for this one. abrennan09@hotmail.com
ReplyDelete