KAMPALA, UGANDA — Mastercard Foundation Scholars at Makerere University have given back to the community through their annual Scholars’ Day of Community Service.
On November 16, 2024, the scholars donated educational materials, reusable sanitary towels, mathematical sets, dictionaries, and textbooks to Little Angels Junior School in Mukono District and St. Charles Rwahunga Nursery and Primary School in Kyegegwa District.
Mr. Alex Mugisha, headteacher of St. Charles Rwahunga Primary School, expressed gratitude to the scholars for their generosity. “I am deeply grateful, along with the students and staff, for the generosity of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars. These materials will significantly enhance the learning environment for our pupils,” he said.
Ms. Sarah Nturo, headteacher of Little Angels Junior School, also commended the scholars for their kind gesture. “We are grateful to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University; we believe these books will significantly contribute to improving our pupils’ performance,” she said.
Nturo also pointed out that they have challenges with the facilities and water as a school. “Ever since we started this School, the education has improved because, in the past, parents could not allow their children to come here; instead, they would send them to the lake for fishing. But now, the children come only because they do not have somewhere to sit. We have few desks,” Nturo said.
Mr. Nelson Ddumba, the Scholars Council Representative, encouraged the young learners at the event not to lose hope. “Do not mind where you are coming from. We all started like this. Education is an equalizer. Now that you have an opportunity to study, focus on making the best out of it. Be disciplined pupils and listen to your teachers. The sky will be the limit,” Ddumba said.
Mr. John Osuna, Transition Lead at the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, urged the pupils to use their school time to prepare for a bright future. “Do not mind where you are coming from. We all started like this. Education is an equalizer. Now that you have an opportunity to study, focus on making the best out of it. Be disciplined pupils and listen to your teachers. The sky will be the limit,” Osuna said.
Francis Kabuye Kaggwa, the Chairperson of the Parents Teacher Association (PTA) leadership, said that ever since the school started over 10 years back, they have never received guests who bring them gifts like how the Mastercard Foundation Scholars did. “I think you have seen how excited the children were. We are all happy this has never happened to our school. Who are we to receive these gifts? We have challenges, but with friends like God on our side, we shall conquer,” Kabuye noted.
The Scholars’ Day of Community Service is an annual event where Mastercard Foundation Scholars at Makerere University engage in community service as a way of giving back.
