Andinda Shillah
Age 11-years-old
School St. John Bosco, Katende
Class Primary 4 (4th grade)
City Kireka, Kampala
Family situation Both my father and mother died from HIV/AIDS. I was adopted by a family friend who lives in Kampala.
I want to be a doctor.
Ambition I want to be help find the cure to HIV/AIDS.
Hobbies I love watching cartoons and swimming.
My story
“My Father died from HIV/AIDS in 2002 and my Mother passed in 2007.
Before my Mum died, she worked in the garden to raise food for me, my sister, and my two brothers. For awhile she worked while on medication. At times she became too sick and had to go to the hospital for drugs.
By 2006 she could no longer work and had to be admitted to the hospital. I stayed in the hospital with my Mum sleeping on the floor. I took care of Mum because my sister and brothers had to go to school. I dropped out of school because there was no money.
When my mum died I felt like dying because I loved her so much. We had no food at home. We depended on neighbors but at times we did not eat at all. Aunt Alice took me from home because I was the youngest. I started living with her in Kampala.
I was taken to a nearby school, Kireka Development School, but because I had taken some time without studying it was hard for me to get good marks, I had to repeat a class. I was determined to do better the next year. I performed fairly in the first term, but in the second term, every kid at school liked me because I showed them I was smart.
I am so happy that I passed the L.E.A.D Uganda interview. L.E.A.D Uganda took me to a good school and I love it. I am going to work hard and excel.
I want to be a doctor, so that I can treat sick people, especially young children who are affected by HIV/AIDS”
