Two students who got financial assistance from Oysters & Pearls-Uganda are among the top students in the just released national examination results for entry into University and other institutions of learning.
Known as Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education, UACE, the examinations are marked out or 25 points.
Mathew Awucu
Mathew said he only scored 9 points in his mock examinations which gave him the drive to study harder.
“I am an orphan so my future depends on my grades at school. I spent sleepless nights revising my books and having discussions with fellow students, that is why I got a good grade,” he said.
“Oysters and Pearls-Uganda also gave me a Victor Screen Reader, enough brailed and scanned notes that helped me during revisions,” he said.
Daniel Odoch, the head of department of special needs at the school, described Mathew as a disciplined and hardworking student, who never got in trouble.
Mathew said he has always wanted to become a teacher, and is sure to become one, when he gets sponsorship.
At Iganga Secondary School in Eastern Uganda, Nyeko Alex Osborn scored 17 points, coming second after another visually impaired student who scored 18 points.
Mathew Awucu
Alex attributed his success to tuition support from O&P-UG, and well as other school requirements. He said the assistance created a conducive learning environment for him.
Just like Mathew, Alex said he wants to become a teacher, saying teaching is the only profession where the blind and visually impaired can be easily absorbed.
Getting formal education for the blind and visually impaired in Uganda is a huge hurdle, given the unequal distribution of learning resources and opportunities.
Since 2012, O&P-UG has been aiding schools that have learners with visual impairment with assistive devices and text books, as well as sponsoring bright, yet poor students in school.
