(This article was first published on January 16, 2023)
By Ronnie Kijjambu
In an effort to promote quality education, over 150 underprivileged children in Kampala slums and families around game parks were given scholarships.
The scholarships were given out by Nexim International Development Organization (NIDO) aimed at promoting quality education, clean energy, and the conservation of mother nature.
Speaking after giving out scholarships at Mother Kevin Primary School in Maya in Wakiso district, Andrew Kawooya, liaison country director of NIDO Uganda said the idea behind scholarships is to change the mindset of the population towards nature through quality education and skilling.
He said most of the people around game parks do not value education since most of their livelihood survived on poaching, hunting, and tree cutting which affect the environment. He added that even those children in the slum areas must be taken to schools to prevent them from engaging in unproductive activities.
He said they have partnered with schools where scholarships have been given out to both primary and secondary school learners.
According to Emmanuel Jal, artist and ambassador of nature, learners are going to participate in many activities, including artist, entertainment industry and sports where there is a better opportunity for social change, especially for the youth in slum areas.
“You can use sports and entertainment to campaign for a fundraising or mind change since they attract people whom you can convince to take certain direction like conservation of mother nature,” he said.
He said scholarships will enable learners to put value on mother nature so that we continue to preserve game parks as safe places for animals.
Peter Lukaaga, one of the mobilisers, said last year 50 students were given scholarships from the Kawempe area. 20 were girls and 10 were sent to Penta B Vocational institute.
He said through Soul Winners Soccer Academy they have changed the lives of children from slum areas around Kawempe.
What Students Say About The Scholarship
Beitah Ewaku ,13 years said the scholarship is timely due to the fact that her family has been struggling with school fees despite her brightness in class.
‘’ Because of school fees my parents made me skip primary six and I managed to seat for primary seven I am Grateful to Nexim International Development Organization (NIDO) for the opportunity and that am going to join secondary school,’’ Ewaku said.
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