Bayona receives scholarship in business
“I am first grateful to God. Getting a government scholarship in Business Statistics in todays competitive world is almost impossible, but what do I have to regret? Now the scholarship is mine to use or lose,” remarks an excited Bayona.
“I owe my gratitude, first to Stephen Shames and LEAD Uganda, and Christine Kim for their love for my future. I have always promised not to disappoint any of them and I have lived by my word. Being educated in Kings College Buddo, Uganda’s top legendary school, really paid off,” remarks a happy Bayona.
Immediately after Uganda got her independence in 1962, one of the challenges the young nation faced was getting the right people to run the economy. Unfortunately, lack of skilled middle management remains an issue forty-seven years after the departure of the colonial civil servants. The country still needs accountants, statisticians, and business consultants. To date only a tiny fraction of Ugandans have acquired professional management skills. Of these, only a small number are women.
In recent years, the Ugandan Government has made the education of girls and women a priority. LEAD Uganda is doing its’ part by finding and nurturing bright girls with leadership potential — students like Bayona, Sanyu, Sarah, Hilda, Madinah, Patricia, Juliet, Esther, Mariah, Dorothy, Afuat, and Victoria.
As a result of her hard work in high school and the awarding of this scholarship by Uganda’s government to study business statistics, Bayona Victoria will join a privileged few women students who will be able to the acquire professional management skills so vital to Uganda’s well being.
“I think I was created for a time as this,” says Bayona, “because society needs people who add value, people who contribute to its’ well-being. With my degree in statistics, I will be capable and I will be more than ready to help Uganda face the challenges of this age and beyond.”
Katongole receives university scholarship to study pharmacy
“I am the happiest man on the planet. From a quarry boy to a pharmacist! It’s unbelievable, but now its true. I think now that nothing is impossible,” remarked an excited Katongole after being awarded a complete scholarship from the Government of Uganda to study pharmacy at university starting this September.
When he graduates in four years, this former quarry boy – who broke rocks into pebbles for 1500 shillings (73¢) a day, will enter a highly respected and well paid profession. The entry level salary of pharmacists (and doctors) in Uganda is 700, 000 Uganda Shillings ($350) a month. Those in the private sector (most pharmacists in Uganda are in private practice) can earn more by working for more than one organization.
More importantly, Katongole will be able to help his country which suffers from a shortage of professionals in the field of pharmacy. According to the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda, there are only 350 registered pharmacists in the country and they are expected to serve a population of 30 million people.
The high cost of training has kept the number down. “Pharmacy is a science course that requires lots of practical study in the laboratory. The cost of the chemicals and the laboratory requirements for this study are enormous,” says Katongole, “As a result, universities in Uganda have over the years taken small numbers.” Even this year we are not more than 15 on state scholarship.” (This year Makerere University, Uganda’s top college, admitted thirty students – half on scholarship, half paying full tuition. That is ten more than it has taken in the past.)
Katongole studied hard to earn this scholarship. In high school Katongole took a rigorous science track that included biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics which he passed with grades of A, A, B, and B respectively. “I studied hard, but I could not have gotten to this point without the help of others. Most especially, I cannot hide my indebtedness to LEAD Uganda, Stephen Shames, Benny and Patsy Landa, and the Morgan family for their tireless efforts helping me towards this achievement.”
The roots of pharmacy can be traced to the earliest humans. Ancient civilizations used mud for soothing purposes. In 2600 BC, the apothecary served as priest, physician and pharmacist. Today the practice of pharmacy includes the development, manufacture, and dispensing of medicine to patients. Not only are they an authoritative source of drug information for physicians and nurses; but, as members of the health team, pharmacists have a unique opportunity for direct involvement with patient care, helping patients understand and use their medicines in the most appropriate way.
Katongole is proud to study pharmacy. He states, “Pharmacy is more than just counting pills. The pharmacist’s role in society is to promote the well being of their patients. It is a trustworthy occupation that reaches into almost all aspects of medicine and healthcare. I am indeed happy to reach this point in life, because now I am looked at importantly by my nation and by my family.”
Donate
LEAD Uganda has two premium contribution levels: Sponsor and Patron.
Sponsors and Patrons receive a photo, letters from
their student, and progress reports from us.
Sponsors pay all costs for one child — $150 a month.
$150 a month — $5 a day pays for
everything a child needs to succeed: school fees, books, clothes, medical care, workshops in math, science, computers, and leadership, emotional support, counseling, and a family.
Sponsors are assigned a student. They receive monthly letters from their student, and progress reports from us. They may also receive photographs, drawings, and other materials.
Patrons donate $50 or $100 a month.
$100 a month – $3 a day - pays school fees (tuition), plus room, and board, books, and uniform at one of the best high schools in Uganda.
$50 a month – $1.50 a day – covers school fees for one scholar at a top school.
Patrons receive letters from students and progress reports from us. They are not assigned one student.
Please give what you can. Every donation helps.
$25 a month covers workshops in leadership, video, science, and writing, transportation home during school breaks, school visits, and staff support for one student.
$10 a month buys school supplies. clothes, shoes for one child.
$5 a month provides medical care and books for one student.
Please help a child achieve his or her dreams.
All contributions make a difference.
LEAD Uganda is a 501(c)3 non-profit.
Donations are tax deductible.
Photography except as noted: © 2009, Stephen Shames / Polaris
Reporter: Stephen Magezi
Please feel free to distribute or forward this newsletter to friends, co-workers, and anyone else you think would like to know about the situation in Uganda and our program.