Written by Norah Namirembe, Assistant Coordinator of the International Office at Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) 

I faced several additional challenges during my studies. Being raised in a family with many siblings meant sharing any and all available resources. We could receive only what was necessary, and not what we desired—an arrangement we had to make peace with since that is what our father could afford. He was the only person we completely depended on.

In the society in which we were raised, many people including relatives had negative opinions about me. With the belief that my education was not important, they tried hard to influence my father to give up on me, but he didn't. A few suggested I was better off getting married or staying home—that my father was wasting money. I am thankful he gave them a deaf ear. 

I was also shamed by classmates for arriving at school in a university bus that my father sometimes used. I was a laughing stock. The fact that it was an available resource that was normal to me was something no one could understand. I overcame this by being strong, giving a deaf ear to people's opinions, and remembering my father's resilience.

Knowing that my father worked hard for us and that my only guarantee to a successful life was education, I gave my best in my studies. However, I did not perform to my expectations at my final examinations (Ordinary level – Senior 4). This was partly because I was always in and out of school to get treatment for my skin condition. My underperformance hurt a lot, but my father was very happy at what I had scored. He knew the circumstances had been rough. I then joined Advanced level (Senior 5 – Senior 6). Given my score at Senior 4, I was still hopeful that I would do a combination like PCB (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology) or BCM (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics) and pursue medicine, but my father was sure I could not manage. He suggested I do a combination PEM (Physics, Economics, Mathematics) and work toward Information Systems. Because he was my only light in the world, I listened to him and agreed to this. 

I later was accepted into Makerere University for a Bachelor of Information Systems Degree. Children of Makerere University staff are given half bursary to tuition (only first degree) which thankfully allowed me to juggle through university. It was never easy with upkeep, requirements, and study materials but I managed to be patient alongside my father, and my life and managed to pull through. Since I knew that life was not going to be easy, I started volunteering, first offering my computer management and administration skills at the College of Computing and then computer skills and administrative work at the International Office where I was later recommended for employment. My gratitude goes to Ms. Susan who saw my resilience and persistence and gave me a chance.

Part III will be posted next week.

As each nation mobilizes its communities to combat COVID-19, a virus that knows no borders, the global community unites in solidarity. Our new series, titled "In the World With COVID-19," features reflective perspectives on the ways in which the pandemic is impacting our global health family in our international partner sites in nine countries around the world. We hope that by reading these stories, we can learn from each other and feel connected as one global community.

To help our global health family stay informed and up-to-date, we have launched a concise, practical, and trustworthy COVID-19 resources center. 

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