Dreams Realized: Ndagire Joan's Journey with AIA's University Scholarship Program

A DREAM COME TRUE

Ndagire Joan is one of the University Students on the AIA University scholarship program, she joined the Action in Africa family in 2005 when she was supported at St Johnson primary school, one of our very first partner schools. Today she is at Makerere University where she is soon graduating with an undergraduate degree in Business Administration and majoring in procurement. She took a few minutes from classes to us about her experience as part of the AIA scholarship program.

How did you join AIA’s University Scholarship program?

I was an active member of the AIA community and a diligent student. I joined the AIA scholarship program in 2005 at St Johnson primary school, and I was supported by AIA until I finished high school at Central College. I decided to apply for the internship program and then the University scholarship program because I honestly had no other hope of going to University. I am very glad that I was one of the people selected to attain higher education

How are you supported by AIA?

Action in Africa gives university students a laptop and I received mine which has been very helpful in doing my course works and attending zoom classes during the pandemic. I am also supported with full payment of my tuition fees which are always paid on time and that really helps me concentrate in class since I dont have to worry about where the money for my tuition will have to come from. I also receive an allowance to support me through the day-to-day costs of school.

How does it feel to be supported by AIA?

When you don't have any worries about where you are going to get the tuition fees for school, It really helps you to concentrate, I did not fail any of my papers at the university because all I had to do was read hard and pass. So it feels like a great burden has been taken off your shoulders and a dream that seemed impossible is coming true.

What message do you have for the people that make the work of AIA possible?

I know the money that enables my education and that of other scholarship students comes from people, I wasn't sure I would continue with my education up to the University and those people enabled me to do so, it is a dream come true. I am forever grateful to those people. I would love to ask them to continue supporting us, I have at least reached somewhere, but there are many other students that need support.

As we come to the end of our scholarship program blog series, share with us what you think about the program and what more you would like to hear about.

Until next time,.
Kalinda Jamada