Hope Restored: Grace, Journey to School

Grace Nakamya is a 12-year-old female from Mubende.

Grace lives with her grandmother, Akello Lucy, aged 65. Her parents moved to Kampala for work three years ago and rarely send money home. She has two younger siblings, aged 6 and 4, who also stay with their grandmother.

Grace dropped out in Primary 2 because her grandmother couldn't afford school fees. The school is 3km away and she had no shoes or uniform. She was needed at home to fetch water and care for her younger siblings.

Many children in Agago Village are out of school. Parents struggle to pay fees and buy uniforms. Girls are often kept home to help with domestic work while boys are sent to the gardens.

Grace would watch other children walk to school while she stayed home. She felt ashamed and cried often. Her grandmother wanted her to study but couldn't afford even a single exercise book.

Community Education Volunteer reported Grace's situation during a household mapping exercise. Our Fellow visited the home and found Grace eager to learn but lacking resources.

We paid Grace's school fees for one year, provided two uniforms, shoes, a school bag, and all learning materials including books, pens, and pencils.

School waived back-to-school fees. Local women's group donated an extra uniform. A neighbor agreed to walk Grace to school with her children.

Grace enrolled in Primary 3 on March 10, 2026. She has attended 12 out of 12 school days. Her teacher reports she is eager to learn and catching up quickly.

Grace is now confident and happy. She helps her younger siblings with counting at home. Her grandmother says Grace wakes up early every day excited to go to school.