Journey to University: Vivian
My first school was St. Johnson primary school in Nakuwadde village where I obtained my Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE). When I was in primary four in the second term, the school bursar sent me back home for school fees ugx.80,000 because we were about to do the end of term exams. On reaching home, I explained the whole story to mama and she went in her room and got ugx.50,000 as usual, she told me to tell the bursar that the balance will be brought when my father returns.
I went back to school and took the money to bursar and told her mama’s message and this marked the beginning of my transformation journey just because of bursar’s statement. She said, “tell your mama not to bring the balance because the Banzungu (White person) have paid your balance.” I almost stopped breathing and I felt like begging for a pass-out to go home. Oh my I just could not hold the joy in me so I burst into tears. I knew what it meant for students to earn a scholarship from Action in Africa.
2023 is my 15th year as an active member of AIA and reaching this level required a lot of sacrifice, having passion for my goals and clear objectives, being disciplined, obedient and respecting each and every person no matter the age and above all, praying and seeking God. This year, I qualified to join the internship program which is a transformational experience for students moving from high school to the University Scholarship program.
It’s a challenging transition but the internship has groomed me into a responsible and self-driven person. I have been able to attain skills like; computer skills, presentation skills, public speaking, team work, and leadership skills.
This internship program has been very different from the past programs where interns did a lot of hard work like mopping, washing cups and plates, sweeping, and digging…such work that doesn’t add on to a student’s knowledge. I especially want to thank the scholarship manager Ms. Christine Jane Olal who cooperated with the Board and the entire Staff of AIA to transform the entire program into something really great. AIA is a paramount organization in the Nakuwadde community and I am very sure it is every student’s wish to be a part of the programs at The Center.
