Nandhego Peruth's Journey to Becoming a Nurse

My name is Nandhego Peruth, and I come from Buyende district. I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Busitema University. I come from a large family with over ten siblings, and I am one of the eldest children. Both my parents are peasant farmers, so paying school fees was hard.

I wanted to pursue a degree in nursing, but my points were not enough. My father advised me to enroll in a diploma program in clinical medicine, because it was easier to pay for, however I discovered two tumours in one breast. I underwent surgery to remove both tumours at Mulago Hospital in Kamuli.

One day, while at a pharmacy with my father, a man approached him and told him about the FAWE Uganda bursary program that supports young girls in higher education. He gave my father the contact details of a FAWE Uganda official, who later sent us the application forms. After some time FAWE Uganda called to inform me that I had received the scholarship. I had lost hope because I was unwell and my father could not afford my fees.

In late August 2019, I started the Higher Education Access Certificate (HEAC) program at Busitema University, funded by FAWE Uganda. There, I met lecturers like Dr. Egor Moses and Mr. Oyege Ivan, who were instrumental in helping me complete my studies. Dr. Egor, a friend of my former teacher at Jinja Secondary School, encouraged me to study hard and explained the benefits of the HEAC program. He also guided me in choosing a career path that suited me. I was especially encouraged by my mentors during HEAC, particularly Dr. Atibuni, who provided me with valuable guidance.

When I transitioned into the Bachelor’s program at Busitema University, I faced serious health challenges. In my second year, 2022, I almost dropped out because of severe pain in my breast. Thankfully, my mentor, Dr. Jacob Stanley Iramoit, connected me to Dr. Ntenzi, a gynaecologist, who provided treatment and advice. I was struggling and regretted continuing my studies as the pain was unbearable. The counselling and pain relief medication they provided helped me regain my strength and determination.

My motivation to become a nurse comes from a painful experience when I took my mother to the hospital. She was neglected by the staff, treated rudely, and even told by a nurse that she could not touch her because she was wearing a white uniform and didn’t want it to get dirty. My mother was wearing an old, faded gomesi, and the nurse knew we were poor farmers, because she was from the same village as us. That moment made me determined to become a nurse who treats all people with dignity and respect.

I feel deeply bothered when I see girls missing out on education. I hope to work closely with NGOs to provide scholarships and opportunities for more girls to access education.