I worked in a bar to pay my tuition
Dec 01, 2009
YOUR PLATFORM<br><br>My parents died of HIV/AIDS in 1992 and 1993 and I was left to fend for myself. I stayed with my brother in Namuwongo, with no one to pay my school fees. He later got me a job at Rainbow International School.
YOUR PLATFORM
My parents died of HIV/AIDS in 1992 and 1993 and I was left to fend for myself. I stayed with my brother in Namuwongo, with no one to pay my school fees. He later got me a job at Rainbow International School.
I soon got into a relationship with my former schoolmate and left my brother’s house. However, I had no idea that he had turned into a con man. When I conceived, he became an alcoholic and drug addict.
I developed health complications during the pregnancy and I had to quit my job.
Though my boyfriend had promised to support me, he was sacked from his job because of indiscipline.
Since we had no money to pay house rent, I was forced to shift to my sister’s place. That was the last I saw of my boyfriend.
He reappeared after one month and urged me to continue staying with my sister since he had no house. My child developed pneumonia and passed away.
We transported the body to Busia for burial and I came back to my sister’s place. I was desperate and jobless, yet I wanted to proceed with studies. I realised that only education would change my destiny.
I got a job as a barmaid and opened up a bank account to save my salary. My relatives were not happy with my decision to work as a barmaid, but I wanted tuition fees and I was determined to realise my dreams. After a few months, I had saved up about sh300,000.
I quit the job and registered for an ICT course. Most people were shocked because they thought I was promiscuous.
However, I was a bright girl, just working for tuition fees. I not only took my course seriously but I also trained other students.
The management of the institute noticed my seriousness and appointed me as an administrator and manager. I still do not know the whereabouts of my boyfriend, but I later learnt that he had messed up the lives of many girls.
I find it important to share this experience with young girls facing the same challenges.
Suffering is not the end of life. Struggles are part of real life and victory is in the hands of God.
I plan to form an organisation to sensitise girls about attaining skills and becoming economically independent. Never leave your job because your boyfriend has simply ordered you to. I would not like you to face what I faced.
Asher Shanti, Kampala
What are your thoughts on social-economic challenges young people face and how would you encourage them to cope?
E-mail your ideas to education@newvision.co.ug
My parents died of HIV/AIDS in 1992 and 1993 and I was left to fend for myself. I stayed with my brother in Namuwongo, with no one to pay my school fees. He later got me a job at Rainbow International School.
I soon got into a relationship with my former schoolmate and left my brother’s house. However, I had no idea that he had turned into a con man. When I conceived, he became an alcoholic and drug addict.
I developed health complications during the pregnancy and I had to quit my job.
Though my boyfriend had promised to support me, he was sacked from his job because of indiscipline.
Since we had no money to pay house rent, I was forced to shift to my sister’s place. That was the last I saw of my boyfriend.
He reappeared after one month and urged me to continue staying with my sister since he had no house. My child developed pneumonia and passed away.
We transported the body to Busia for burial and I came back to my sister’s place. I was desperate and jobless, yet I wanted to proceed with studies. I realised that only education would change my destiny.
I got a job as a barmaid and opened up a bank account to save my salary. My relatives were not happy with my decision to work as a barmaid, but I wanted tuition fees and I was determined to realise my dreams. After a few months, I had saved up about sh300,000.
I quit the job and registered for an ICT course. Most people were shocked because they thought I was promiscuous.
However, I was a bright girl, just working for tuition fees. I not only took my course seriously but I also trained other students.
The management of the institute noticed my seriousness and appointed me as an administrator and manager. I still do not know the whereabouts of my boyfriend, but I later learnt that he had messed up the lives of many girls.
I find it important to share this experience with young girls facing the same challenges.
Suffering is not the end of life. Struggles are part of real life and victory is in the hands of God.
I plan to form an organisation to sensitise girls about attaining skills and becoming economically independent. Never leave your job because your boyfriend has simply ordered you to. I would not like you to face what I faced.
Asher Shanti, Kampala
What are your thoughts on social-economic challenges young people face and how would you encourage them to cope?
E-mail your ideas to education@newvision.co.ug