Soroti PLE star fails to continue with studies

I am not certain of my future now. My mother could pay for the little fees in primary but she can't afford to pay for another level. I don't know what to do next," says Innocent Timothy Okurut as tears roll down his cheeks.

Born in Acowa village in Amuria district, the fate of continuing with studies for  14-year-old  Okurut remains worrying, even after passing with division one in last years' Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE).

Okurut scored Agg 11, getting C3 in English, D2 in Science, D2 in Social studies and C4 in mathematics at a UPE-aided Nakatunya Primary School in Soroti municipality.

His mother, Lillian Alio, a vegetable seller at Obuku retail market in Amen town council, Soroti district is overwhelmed by the responsibility of  taking care  of five other children. The where abouts of her husband, Simon Arimo remain unknown since they divorced many years ago.

"I want to become a medical doctor, if any person comes to support my studies. I wish God could hear my prayers," Okurut said.

He says he has not seen his father, Arimo for  the last four years.

"My uncles told me that they also have their responsibilities when I requested for them to take me to school. My friends have all picked admissions to join different schools. All the people I have tried to talk to have paid a deaf ear," Okurut added.

His mother, Alio sai life has become even tougher because the vegetable business has also collapsed considering the scotching drought that has hit the sub region.

"Affording basic needs like food, clothing and health care have also become hard. I can't afford to continue paying fees for this boy because I have no sustainable source of income. I wish a Good Samaritan could come to take this boy to school," Alio ponders. She is  also  not aware of where the father of her son could be residing from.