My name is Apiyo Mercy, I am 18 years old, and in Senior 2 (Year 8) at Kworo High School. I am the third child in a family of 8 children. My life as a child was good, because I grew up with both parents, who are peasant farmers. They were able to meet most of our basic needs, like food and education, since our school would only charge us 3,000 Ugandan shillings (just over A$1) as school fees per term at primary level. Things changed when I joined secondary level because the fees rose to 250,000 Ush (A$91 per term). My parents were not able to raise this much and I was forced to drop out of school just in Senior 1 (Year 7). In the process of staying home I became pregnant since I had lost hope of getting back to school. I wasted a full two years due to pregnancy, childbirth and breast feeding.
One day my Primary school friend came home and told me to go back to school, since my child was now weaned. I shared this with my parents, but they were hesitant because there was no money. Then my mother heard about Kworo High from her friend, so she told my father that she will try for a vacancy at this school.
She returned with admission from the school, stating half payment of school fees. This was good news for me and my parents. I was excited to go back to school. My hope for studying was restored, and my parents assured me that they would struggle to ensure they provided the half fee the school required for my education.
Now that I am back at school, I will work hard and pass with good grades so that I can join a nursing course. I hope to become self-reliant and support others in future
My encouragement to the donor is that your kind support can only be rewarded by God not humans. There are many people like me who need this support and I pray that God should continue to provide the resources you require for this support.
