Sarah Kutesa
My name is Kuteesa Sarah a second of five children to MR. Naika Paul and Mrs. Kuguminkiriza Matama of Nakabembe village, Bukutula parish, Kagulu Sub County, Budiope East constituency Buyende district.
My journey started way back in 2004 when I joined p.1 at Igalaza Primary School, a government school near our home where I studied till p.6 and was taken to sit my PLE from Bukonte Primary School in Namutumba district, also a government school.
After p.7 my story started getting emotional and frustrating as the fees to join a secondary school was imaginary! One day my father talks to his Church friend who directed him to a church-based secondary school that not only had fair fees but also a flexible way of paying. He immediately visited the school and in (2011) I joined Kaswabuli Senior Secondary School where my father could bring maize and beans as fees. My parents encouraged me to read hard which I did.
My better performance fired up the friendship between my parents and the Headteacher that my father was never pressured for fees, they could wait for him as he brought in instalments till when he finished all the agreed kilograms of maize and beans to amount to the school fees. Watching my father riding a bicycle from Buyende to Namutumba carrying over 100kg of maize made me set high standards for higher achievement to make him proud of his efforts.
During holidays we did a lot of crop growing, weeding and charcoal burning together as a family to raise the funds that kept us in school and for the family’s survival. As many of the girls in the village saw it as a burden and mistreatment, my sister and I were fully persuaded to work hard and stay at school. I finished S.4 (2014) and scored a first grade (23agg).
The family was extremely happy but at the same time stranded all asking ourselves what next? My father gave a call to my former Head teacher asking him to find me a government sponsorship in an Institution to get a certificate with a reason that he couldn’t raise fees for either A level or private institution. The head teacher organized a meeting with the director of the school and invited my father and me. The meeting yielded a bursary for me to join A level, full schools and my parents were only to provide personal scholastic requirements.
My father and I left the meeting crying because of joy, and I started S.5 (2015) and worked hard to maintain the bursary since it was academic performance-based. I thank God I successfully maintained it throughout the two years of A level. It seemed to be the end of my education story and the whole village was watching and talking all the negative words. Mocking my parents as they wasted their little money educating a girl who is going to be married off and now they don’t have money to take her to university! We prayed so hard asking God to create a way through.
One evening a teacher of Economics at my former school (Mr Walusimbi Gerald) called me informing me about a scholarship advert for girls who offered sciences at A level to join Universities, that he had seen in a newspaper, he also added that he saw Buyende district so I should go, pick it and establish the details. I couldn’t even wait a minute. This was about Forum for African Women Educationalists Uganda Chapter (FAWE Uganda) and the Mastercard Foundation, Higher Education Access Program. “It was my turning point! all hope awakened.” I went through the screening process and was granted the opportunity to pursue a bachelor of science education at Busitema University.
My life-changing journey with FAWE Uganda started at Mbarara University of Science and Technology when I attended the Extended Orientation Program which was aimed at preparing all successful candidates before joining the various Universities and Institutions of Higher learning. This was an amazing experience where lots of words of wisdom were shared, encouragement and most importantly mentorship. As I thought it was just enough, to FAWE Uganda, it was the start! FAWE Uganda has been with me throughout my university education offering all the support from tuition fees, accommodation, meals, stationery, laptop, leadership training and mentorship to mention but a few.
Friday, 24th June 2022 is when I graduated with a Bachelor of Science Education Degree (in Agriculture Double Main) of Busitema University. I was also the best graduand of Busitema University Faculty of Science and Education with a 4.66 CGPA on the 12th graduation.
I thank my family, father, mother, sister and brothers for your endless support throughout my life. I ran to you wherever it seemed hard for me to continue and can’t take your encouragement and prayers for granted. God bless you!
It was an honour to have been chosen as a beneficiary in 2017 for the Forum for African Women Educationalists Uganda Chapter and Mastercard foundation, higher education access program. I am the first in my family to attend University all because of your generous support. I consider myself fortunate. Growing up in a less privileged community didn’t only offer financial and academic challenges but also helped me realize the value of a University education.
I am truly grateful for the scholarship support. The scholarship offered extraordinary support ranging from tuition fees, a computer, accommodation, stipend, health insurance, leadership training, self-life mentorships, and so many other benefits. This has allowed me to focus on my studies and other educational opportunities. Since being named one of the beneficiaries of FAWE Uganda and Mastercard scholarship, my dream of becoming a professor started becoming a reality. My family is equally very much grateful since the scholarship has changed our story
I am committed to responding to any responsibilities assigned by FAWE Uganda as a beneficiary and giving back to the community is my portion.
Thank you again for your genuine support!