Jovia Namubiru

Jovia Namubiru

Jovia Namubiru, 9, lost her father, Michael Mubiru, to HIV/AIDS in 2007. Jovia has four brothers and five sisters. Jovia currently lives in Nakifuma-Nankulabye adjacent to FINIDP offices with her mum, Nantongo. Jovia is in Primary five (P.5) at Little Cranes Day and Boarding primary school.

Jovia narrated: “my mother often fails to raise my school fees since she is jobless.” “Much as my uncle, Ssula, has a good intention to contribute towards my school fees, his personal family demands and unstable income just sometimes prevent him from fulfilling his pledge.” Efforts by Jovia’s mother to rent out some rooms as a source of fees were frustrated by their uncle, Ssula, who felt that it would undermine their family status. As a consequence, Jovia’s report cards have on several occasions been confiscated for failure to pay school fees. At the time of the interview, several report cards were still with the school authorities and FINIDP staffs had to look at them from school to be able to ascertain Jovia’s academic truck record.

In her application letter to FINIDP, Jovia said: “my mother doesn’t have enough resources to look after ten children; six daughters and four sons.” “Since my father died, I’m in a bad condition, I sleep badly, the mattress is small and worse still it is shared by three of us moreover without bed sheets.” “My father died when I was in primary three, but in these two years I have been irregular at school.” “But when I remember what our dad told us about life if you don’t complete studies, I always sit down and concentrate on books.” “Our dad used to provide us with everything most especially concerning studies, but he is not there anymore, that is why I’m applying for a scholarship so that I can concentrate on my education.” “In future, I want to be a business woman and this requires that I double my efforts to succeed.” “I would like to join FINIDP scholarship program because of the problems I have found after the death of my father.”