FAWEU-MTN Foundation beneficiaries

Ndyowe Pleasure Amara, is 21 years old, and pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunication Engineering at Kyambogo University.

Pleasure says her father was brutally murdered when she was still a little girl, and she doesn’t know why it happened. At the time, her mother was a student, studying and taking care of her and her young brother.  “My dad was a successful business man, when he passed on, we lost our property and businesses to his partners and we began from scratch.” Growing up was a challenge, I had to forego very many things since we could not afford.” We kept shifting from one place to another as my mother kept looking for cheaper housing.” I recall going through over 12 schools in primary. Despite these circumstances, I never stopped dreaming of having a bright future some day.

As the first child I was determined to be a good role model for my siblings and encouraged them to keep fighting for a better tomorrow. Luckily, my brother and I were enrolled for a scholarship with Compassion International which supported us through secondary education. The scholarship helped my mother greatly and reduced her load, thus enabling us to settle in one area, and school until I finished my secondary education. While in school, I didn’t have any luxury, I had to put my education, and family first in whatever I did. I remember the time my mother was jobless, and I was starving at school with no money.  I decided to start a business, selling doughnuts and cakes at break time and in the evening when the canteen was closed. This helped me earn some income. 

After my A ‘level, Compassion International could no longer support me, and neither could my small business, and I lost hope. My will and positivity all vanished. When I got my S.6 results, I applied to different organizations, including FAWEU for scholarship. Months later, I received a call from FAWE offering me a scholarship with the MTN Foundation. “To this day, I still remember that phone call; it feels like yesterday. I felt a sudden light shining on my face; renewing every fight that was lost and giving me new hope to realize my dreams and goals.” My mother was over the “moon”, she danced the whole day, and called everyone on her phone list, including those she had never spoken to in a while. “This was the best news that my family and I had received in a long time.” I am very grateful to FAWE and MTN Foundation for giving me this opportunity to fulfill my dreams and make my future bright. I immediately enrolled into university, and is now able to concentrate and focus on my studies.

Further to my delight, MTN offered me a three month placement for my industrial training. I have learnt a lot during this period. I was assigned to the Network group specifically radio planning and optimization. My supervisors and colleagues are so supportive, and have offered me help anytime I need it. It was exciting to finally put my knowledge from school into practice. Through this process I got to appreciate and love my course even more.

After completing my four-year course at Kyambogo University, I plan to do gradual training and work for the best telecommunication company, MTN, further my studies and keep soaring high. I will also continue to support a small charity initiative my mother and I started; TOM ministries that majorly reaches-out and supports those in need through providing clothing and other small basic needs. I would also like to support other vulnerable children, just like FAWE Uganda and MTN Foundation did for me. I am now an empowered girl and, I will forever be grateful for this opportunity.