“After my father lost his job, my mother started selling rain water to support my 3 siblings and I.
She somehow managed to keep me in school and I passed S2 in Grade 2. But she could not always earn enough to pay my school fees so I had to miss the 1st month of S3.
I am willing to have 1 meal a day and walk the 5 kms each way to school because I am determined to become an engineer and pull my family out of poverty..”
“When my father deserted us 2 years ago, our house was repossessed by the bank.
So my mother went to work selling snacks to support our family of 7.
Last year in S3, I had to miss the 1st term because I could not afford the school fees and my grade dropped to 4.
Many days, we eat leftovers from her trade.
Today, I am back to school in S4.
I play for my school’s soccer team.
Although, I have to walk 6 kms each way to school, I am determined to complete my schooling and go to a university and become a teacher..”
“ I was adopted by my aunt when I was in P2 after my father died and my mother became mentally ill.
But my uncle has no job and my aunt’s income is not enough to feed all 7 of us.
So many days, we have only one meal of porridge.
But I am determined to succeed and was one of the few students to pass S1 in Grade 1.
I still walk 10 kms each way to school.
I like competition and know that one day I will realize my dream of becoming a doctor…”
“My father left us 3 years ago and since then I have missed several weeks of school each week but I still managed 2nd grade in S3.
My sister who was in S5 had to leave her studies altogether.
My mother now supports our family of 5 by selling bananas and used clothes.
My motto is “never give up” and I am sure my dream of obtaining a degree in mechanical engineering at Makerere University will be realized soon…”
“ After my father died 10 years ago, I was left in charge of my older brothers.
However, for most of the time, I had to fend myself and ultimately my aunt took me under her wings.
I managed to pass S4 in Grade 1 because of the generosity of my teachers who paid my fees.
But again in S5 I had to miss the 1st term as I could not afford the fees.
I started working as a dairy attendant but my income was not enough for me to re-enroll in school. I continue to aspire to become a telecom engineer….”
“After my father left my 6 siblings and I, my mother also left for her village because she had become physically disabled.
I now live with my aunt and try to earn some money by washing clothes.
As a result I often have to skip school and my grades have declined dramatically.
I can and do go without food for 1-2 days but would not think of missing school a single day, if I could avoid it.
I want to be a doctor and help not only my mother but other poor people as well.”
“My father left us when I was a baby and my mother does not earn enough to support my 2 siblings and I.
I therefore live with friends and do odd jobs to earn some money.
Despite several weeks of interrupted school because I could not afford to pay the fees, I passed S1 at the top of my class.
I hope I can continue my studies as one day I would like to be a magistrate. …”