Oliver Nalwadda

Oliver Nalwadda

Oliver Nalwadda, 13, lives at Seeta-Ntinda zone with her mother, Mrs. Benah Birungi. Oliver’s father, Paul Musoke, ran mad in 2005 and he now just moves on the streets. Oliver is in senior one at Paul Mukasa Secondary School. Oliver said that her mother works at Seeta S.D.A primary school as a cook but her salary is not enough to meet the needs of her seven children in addition to paying house rent. Three of Oliver’s sisters were taken up by their relatives after realising that her mother, Benah, was unable to look after all of them.

When Oliver was asked by FINIDP’s Program Manager, Dan, of what she thinks has been the impact of this situation to her life, she replied: “I got 14 aggregates in P.7 yet I was always irregular at school due to school fees problems, so if it was not so I would have got a first grade.” “And because of the poverty at home, we sometimes have one meal a day or drink tea without escorts for dinner; this means I sometimes go to school hungry and it is difficult for me to concentrate in class.” “If I’m sponsored then the little money my mum pays as fees will be used to buy us food.” “My ambition is to become a teacher.”

Oliver is a bright girl and this is evident from her report cards. She can be rated among the top 20% children in all classes she has attended. When asked about her plea to potential sponsors Oliver said: “I’m praying to God to help me identify sympathetic people to come to my rescue; I won’t disappoint you I have suffered enough so I will value that opportunity once it comes my way.”