Rose Namutebi

Rose Namutebi

Rose Namutebi, 15, was born in 1993 in Fort Portal town in a family of five children; two brothers and three sisters. Her mother, Mariam, and father, Robert, were both peasant farmers with meagre income. Rose lost her mother, Mariam, to HIV/AIDS in 1998 and unfortunately her father died in a car accident in 2000. After that tragedy, Rose and her siblings were left at the mercy of God as they were being looked after by their eldest brother, Moses Mutebi, who had just finished senior 4 exams but couldn’t go on with education due to lack of fees. Rose laments in her application letter: “we spent about a year without going to school and suffering with what to eat.” “At that time our uncle came and took my two sisters while the auntie took my brother so I remained with my eldest brother.” “After two years, my brother got a job, as a tax driver, and later built a small house at Nakifuma where we live with his wife and seven children.

Rose is currently in senior two (S.2) at St. Anne’s Grace Senior Secondary School, but her brother can no longer afford to pay her school fees and buy her school materials due to the increased  family demands amidst his unstable poor paying job. As expected, Rose’s school dues have always been paid late and of late her school attendance has been irregular, something which has adversely affected her academic performance. And for some academic terms, Rose’s report cards have been confiscated for failure to clear school dues. In an interview with FINIDP’s Education projects co-ordinator, Mukasa, Rose said: “I know the benefits of education to a child with a poor family background like me, but I’m worried that I may not go very far due to lack of school fees.” When asked about her major challenges, Rose replied: “much as my priority right now is academic scholarship, I also lack basic beddings and clothing.”

In terms of academic performance Rose can be ranked among the top 30% children basing on the available report cards. In her application letter for sponsorship to FINIDP, Rose wrote: “my ambition is to become a Nurse.” “I’m sure that I will realise my dream if I get a sponsorship since I’m very hardworking.” “Currently, I lead a miserable life and I dearly miss my parents; if I get a sponsor, I will be very happy, that gap will be filled to some extent.” ” If there is any kind-hearted person, I humbly call upon you to help and sponsor my studies, I promise to work hard and I will never disappoint you.” “I have the conviction that education will make my life better and that I will have a brighter future.”