Support New Economist in Uganda to Final Year Uni

Aim

Charles is in his final year at Makerere University studying Economics. This fundraiser is to raise the balance of university fees

These are Charles Obuk's words to support this Crowdfunder:

I am Obuk Charles - aged 22, from Lamwo District in Northern Uganda. I am currently in my finalyear of an undergraduate degree in Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Makerere University Business School (MUBS). I am the Speaker for the University's Economics Students Association (MUBS-ESA). I am seeking support of £150 towards my tuition in the current semester. 

Although from the humble background of being raised by a single mother in a remote rural area, after finishing primary school in 2010, I was successful in a sponsorship interview with the Butterfly Project, based in Kireka, Kampala, which empowers gifted and talented young people to become change makers. The project sponsored me to Kitgum High School for my O-Level study. Again with their help, I sat for A-levels in Kampala where I attained 18 points in History, Economics and Literature with a credit in subsidiary Mathematics and General paper in 2016.

When my application for government sponsorship to University was rejected, and the Butterfly Project unable to promise further sponsorship, I could see the future and my beautiful aspirations slipping away. However, I applied and was admitted for the Bachelor’s programme at Makerere University. God heard my prayers and the Butterfly Project was able to channel £125 (UShs 550,000) as a one-off from my previous sponsor towards the costs of tuition and living, while I raise the remainder. Unfortunately, after joining Makerere, I realised I could not sustain the financial needs, and so I asked and was granted a transfer to the Business School. I have been working during the vacations to generate some personal savings but have had also to use an online fundraiser (with blogs and videos,), which has helped though not sufficiently.

Academically, I have achieved promising results and I hope to continue the same. Also, I did my internship (unpaid) from 4th June to 31st August at the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Headquarters in the Division of Planning, Research and Development. The internship offer was based on my strong overall academic standing and performance in the target course units, excellent performance in an online aptitude test, appraisals from two of my referees, and an extensive personal application.

Due to the time spent on the internship, I have been unable to raise any penny for the current semester and my sponsor has not been in a position to contribute every semester. My mum, who suffers from severe ill health, is also unable to help much. My dream appears to be slipping away again and I need support to finish.

After I complete, I plan to give back to my community by starting up social causes such as the “Awareness and Education on Drug Abuse and Alcoholism in Lamwo District”, and the “Green Youth” campaign with the aim of bringing youth together to plant trees and care for the environment. I will be committed to sharing my university knowledge with the members of my society and the nation at large. I will also help and encourage my fellow youth in their quest for knowledge to better their lives and their community. My mother and I are working hard at making this dream and aspirations possible for me, but we are seeking sponsorship to help offset the expenses. Would you be able to sponsor me to help finance my university study? I THANK YOU in advance for helping to make this amazing opportunity a reality for me.

This project successfully funded on 6th November 2019