BEATEN BUT NOT DEFEATED

“With the investment that FAWE Uganda through the Forberg scholarship has done for me, a wealthy family generation must start with me.” Gladys Unzia Natal

 24 years ago, Gladys was born in Besia Village, Moyo town in Moyo District in a very poor family. Her parents had no reliable source of income and as a result, none of her four siblings went to school.

Being the eldest, Gladys and her parents would cut down trees to sell firewood, dig in people’s plantations to be able to get food for the day. She was taken to school by her father so she could support her siblings after her studies.

Gladys’ grades were greatly affected by the fact that she had to multitask; balancing her education and support to the entire family.

Her education was further cut short when she was impregnated in her S.4. During this period her father’s health was deteriorating and therefore the little money they had went towards his treatment.

Gladys was called all sorts of ill names, from a disgrace to the bad luck omen of her family. Despite the challenging situation, her mother stood by her and encouraged her to give birth to the baby and not to abort. After the arrival of her baby boy, she started making and selling snacks “bagia” to be able to take care for her baby.

Little did she know that a second chance to education would soon present itself.

A friend brought her a newspaper advert calling for applications for scholarships and advised her to try her luck and apply. Gladys inquired from her mother of the possibility of taking care of the baby if Gladys got an opportunity to study again and her mother was welcome to the idea.

“I went to the D.E.O’ s office to get details about the advert of FAWE Uganda’s sponsorship. I was given the application form, filled it in while making a silent prayer and handed it back to him. I never ceased praying, after a while I was called for an interview by FAWE Uganda staff which I passed and after which I was called to go to go back to school.” Gladys narrates. 

Gladys joined Nile Vocational Training Institute in 2021 and has since had a track record of success. A CGPA of 4.07 in her first year & 4.35 in her second year. She awaits graduation with a Certificate in Fashion and Garment Design. She is currently working in a textile factory called Alpha Woolens Limited Uganda as a production worker.

“The impact that FAWE Uganda has had on my life goes beyond financial support. I have been able to visit places I had never been to like Jinja and Kampala, where I learned to socialize with different people in different environments. I learnt skills that are useful at my current work place like sewing clothes using all kinds of machines. I am also able to account for all my expenditures both at work & home.” Gladys says.

From the stipend she was receiving from FAWE Uganda, Gladys has managed to repair her family’s grass thatched roof that was leaking.

A teary Gladys says she is indebted to FAWE Uganda because she bought a second hand manual sewing machine out of savings from the upkeep FAWE Uganda provided and is now also able to buy sanitary towels and knickers for her younger sisters.

“All we knew was to use papers or pieces of clothes as pads.” She says.      

“FAWE Uganda staff and representatives are unique in the way they take good care of us beneficiaries. Through the Extended Orientation Program and other mentorship programs I have been able to learn so much. I thank Mr. Forberg for his compassion and desire to uplift once young hopeless dreams. May God bless him forever.” Gladys adds.

Gladys hopes for a promotion at her current workplace so she can cater for her son’s school fees who is now in nursery school. She also hopes to buy sewing machines to skill other girls who don’t have access to education. She hopes to do this at a negotiable yet affordable cost so that she can also support her siblings and further her studies.