Overview

Namwendwa, like most communities throughout Uganda is a male dominant society where opportunity and education are mainly given to boys. The St. Peter's Secondary School Academic Scholarship Scheme for girls was established in 2005 to combat this gender inequality.

Girls are selected from Namwendwa Primary School to have their secondary education (at St Peter’s Secondary School) funded by One Village. This way the scheme supports both the local primary school and the local highschool. The scholarship scheme is a sponsorship program where girls are selected on an academic basis. It would be impossible to choose girls on a needs basis as everyone is as desperate as each other to receive further education. The program encourages girls to work hard through primary school, and also encourages an attitude shift in parents and the community to support female education. The first 8 girls who were awarded scholarships successfully completed their first year in 2006. In every year thereafter a further 8 girls were selected and from 2009 onwards 32 girls will be sponsored each year.

The sponsorship cost of the girls varies according to their year level (from $185 to $325 in 2009) and the scholarship includes all school fees, examination fees, school uniform and shoes, equipment, books and a meal each day.

Sponsors receive a photo and school reports of the girl they individually sponsor.

In a community like Namwendwa, this program offers huge hope for the future, as education really is the key to freedom.

Why did we start the scholarship scheme?

When Nikki was in Uganda in 2005, teaching in Namwendwa Primary School and St Peter’s Secondary School as a volunteer with Student Partnerships Worldwide, she observed how quiet the girls were during class. Nikki also realised that male enrolment at both the primary and secondary school consistently outnumbered female enrolment. The teachers explained to Nikki that if parents were only able to afford to send one child to school they would ensure that it was their son, rather than their daughter. It was considered in Namwendwa, as in many communities throughout Uganda, that the role of the woman was largely domestic. The teachers wanted to empower the girls in the community but were unsure how to go about this. After discussions with the teachers and other community members, Nikki with fellow volunteer Jane Barrett decided to set up the academic scholarship scheme for girls. The aim of the program was to not only directly support the girls selected into the scheme but also encourage the community to value female education. 

What has taken place so far?

The program was initially set up by Nikki and Jane but when Nikki founded One Village, the scholarship scheme became recognised as a One Village project. Since 2005 a further 8 girls have been selected annually. The scheme has now reached its goal of sponsoring 8 girls in each year level at St Peter’s and 32 girls in total. These girls have their school fees sponsored and all their required materials and uniform. The scheme also achieved its second objective of changing community values toward female and education. Since 2007 female enrolment at both the primary and secondary school has either outnumbered or been equal to male enrolment. It is truly amazing how the confidence and aspiration of the girls within the community has also grown.

Looking into the future

The original 8 scholarship girls will complete their final year of schooling at St Peter’s at the end of 2009. In Uganda after completing secondary school (referred to as senior 4) those students who achieved a high enough score and are able to afford to have 2 options for further education. Uganda offers courses, similar to the TAFE system in Australia, where students can learn skills such as nursing. Alternatively, to go on to university students must first complete senior 5 and 6, (equivalent to years 11 and 12 in Australia) but this is only offered at particular secondary schools. St Peter’s Secondary School does not offer senior 5 and 6 as there is not a high enough demand for it so students wishing to do this would have to attend school in Kamuli, a town 16 km from Namwendwa. One Village recognises that both these options are extremely difficult for all students in Namwendwa because of the cost involved. For this reason One Village is currently exploring the possibility of offering one nursing scholarship to Jinja School of Nursing to commence in 2010. This scholarship would be open to all senior 4 students at St Peter’s Secondary School and would be awarded on academic merit. One Village is in the process of researching the practicalities of such a scholarship.