Sholpan Nugmanova, Kazakhstan – I lived in the orphanage of Kazakhstan from the time I was a baby until I was 18. It was a very difficult place to grow up, because there were many children and few caregivers. For some, the orphanage was a place forgotten by society where children could lose hope for a better life. The orphanage made me realize that I wanted more from my life. The caregivers told me that education was my key to a future. This hope motivated me to work hard at my studies every day, to stay out of trouble and to strive for a better life.
Grace Aber, Uganda – I was born in a war-ravaged area. One day the LRA Rebels killed my father and eldest sister. Since that day, my life and the lives of my siblings and mother turned into a nightmare. My mother was hard-working, but as a widow, it was not easy for her to feed and educate her seven children. The rebels came back and slaughtered my eldest brother and raped my mother and sister. Due to the rape, my mother contracted AIDS and died two years later. My oldest sister took over making sure we were in school and eating. I was doing extremely well academically and my sister’s new husband paid my fees for secondary school. I decided to brew local alcohol for two years to save money for the Advanced level. I passed well and was admitted to the school of allied medicine. I want to do research to develop a vaccine for AIDS.
George Jorum, Kenya – After I completed primary school with high marks, I could find no one who could pay for my high school fees. I was so determined to attend secondary school and later become a doctor that I joined quarry work to earn money and pay my fees. So it became a routine to work every evening and weekends at the quarry and attend high school during the day. When I completed my fourth year and sat for the exams, I was among the best in the district. I worked for four years to save money to study medicine and surgery. I was accepted and was able to pay for one year before the money started to run out. It has been a struggle, but I am determined to make this dream a reality.
Ephransia Malindi, Kenya – My father works day and night to make ends meet and tells us never to give up and that the best inheritance he can give us is education. It actually keeps me going the fact that he never went to school, but wants the best for us. This is what has made me come this far despite all the difficulties. My dream is to be a doctor. Money is very tight and it is difficult to cover my school fees, let alone money for food and shelter. The best I do to survive is to make sure I get one meal a day and life goes on. I have no money for photocopies, so I write out the exercises by hand which takes a lot of time. I thank God for He has brought me this far. I believe He has good plans for me.
Jurugo Ali, Sudan and Uganda – I was born in southern Sudan in the middle of a war. We fled to northern Uganda as refugees in 1991. I was put in a school in a refugee camp. When I left primary school, I was the best in the district and at the end of secondary school, I led all the students, both nationals and refugees. Since I was a child, I had watched the nurses and doctors who treated the refugees and I wanted to become like them. I was admitted to university to study medicine and surgery. My uncle helped pay for my school fees until last year when he died. If given a chance to continue and finish my course of study, I will commit my life to the service of humanity.
Richard Monyo, Ghana – I always yearned to climb the academic ladder to the highest level in order to assist my siblings and family, but poverty had blocked all my chances. My mother, who is a local distiller and farmer, had to struggle to send me money and food to begin my tertiary (college level) education. The little I earn is not enough to even purchase the admission forms, so I use my salary to help pay for the education of my younger siblings.
Michael Gaani, Ghana – I must admit that I am short of words to really convey my heart-felt appreciation to you and the entire hard working staff who make the dreams of underprivileged ones in the third world countries come true. I would have been in limbo if your outfit had not come to my aid. It is my promise that I will make the Wells Mountain Foundation proud by serving the rural folks in Ghana in the health sector.
Alan Haragha, Uganda – Having completed my last exam, I head to the finance office to apply for a dead year (to drop out for a year) as I had no more money to continue my studies the following year. As I pass the internet café, I check my email that I had not checked for some time during exams. I only had one mail and I must say, this is and will be the email to remember. The mail that is going to make a difference in my life and change the lives of the needy wherever I live. It is wonderful to have become a WMF Scholar. Thank God! I will study hard.
Wilson Mwanja, Uganda – The WMF scholarship has come at a period when I was about to drop out of my medical studies program as I was becoming overwhelmed by the demand of tui-tion payments. I do Promise to study hard and work tirelessly and keep the WMF candle burn-ing. May you be blessed as you serve mankind.
Sholpan Nugmanova, Kazakhstan – I promise to make WMF very proud of my academic achievements. I will never forget your help and hope to one day help those in my own community by giving back. I want to encourage people back home in my native Kazakhstan, especially the children in the orphanages, to keep believing that education is the key to a better future. It is also important for them to know that there are people like you who truly care about others and that dreams can come true when hard work meets opportunity.
Wisdom Fiabumor, Ghana – It is said that a thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but also the parent of all virtues. Knowing you at WMF has made me a better person. I am really excited and I cannot appreciate you enough for giving me the amazing opportunity to walk this path of transformation. It is giving a huge new dimension to my life.
Jurugo Roberts Ali, Sudan and Uganda – I am extremely happy! This scholarship will really act as my gateway to fulfilling my dreams of alleviating poverty and reducing the AIDS scourge among youth. It is my duty to study hard and become a medical doctor in a few years.
Juuko Abdu, Uganda – Full of smiles is Juuko, a new scholar of WMF! I want to extend my special thanks to have been given this chance. So happy to have new people in my life. Thanks so much again!
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