By Calvin Trottier-Chi | Volunteer Intern at Bududa Learning Center
Malisa Tony is very much a model student. He’s smart, friendly, and always has a positive attitude. Today, after years of humble determination, his optimism is justified.
Tony has continued to show excellence in education and, combined with timely aid by similarly inspiring figures, his hard work has paid off; he currently is one of the top students in his class and has the support to go to university.
We met with Tony to discuss his background. The following is our conversation, with Tony answering in perfect English.
How’s school?
When Grandma died, Grandma Grace took care of my food. She raised me, tried to pay for tuition, and worked hard. Sometime during my examinations, [Bududa Learning Center Social Worker] Madame Martha came to me and told me if I performed well there’s a chance I would be sponsored. She was also caring to me, guided me, showed me the ways of life. When Primary grades came back, I got the first grade.
What does your family mean to you?
I lived with my grandmother Kathrine. She died while I was still in Primary School. I met step-mother Grandma Grace. She decided to take care of me since I was ten years old. She raised me and allowed me to go to the Children of Bududa program. She was with me from Primary One.
Grandma Grace was always guiding me. Telling me things I should do. Counselling me, telling me not to have bad acts or bad friends. She told me I should make friends who should tell me the good things, tell me what is good and what is wrong. She was also helping me, at first, trying to force me to read hard and do my homework in time. When I was young I thought she was forcing me, but then I came to know that she was helping me. She was been the wealth of my life.
What will you do after your education?
I just want to be surgeon, because in Uganda there are a lot of people with problems of hearts, but not people to operate on them. I want to study to help my friends, because many of them die from problems because there are no doctors and no machines either. Other times they export them to India for surgery.
How has Children of Bududa helped you?
Children of Bududa is very good. I am going to a good school and being paid for. It’s the best wish I could ever have.
I learned how to make bags, I learned how to write reports for journalists. I also learned how to act and how to speak English and read storybooks. They helped me learn my English and helped me communicate with people that do not know the local language.
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