By Kefa Senoga
In 2018, when Shadrack Eunyu informed his family about his admission to pursue a Bachelor of Electronic and Communication Science at Uganda Christian University, the members were elated. Eunyu’s father, a member of the clergy, gave him the greenlight to pursue the course because he was in position to meet his son’s tuition requirements.
However, slightly over a year into Eunyu’s studies, his father died of Covid-19. Eunyu had to quickly look for solutions of raising money in order not to drop out of school.
“I got involved in some activities at the UCU chaplaincy and the Financial Aid Office in order to raise money for tuition,” Eunyu narrates. Soon, the chaplaincy and the UCU Church Relations Department took over the role of paying his school fees.
Eunyu continued to look for money-making opportunities because, in addition to tuition, he had other requirements that necessitated money. All this hustle is now past Eunyu as he looks forward to graduating soon. He has completed his course and is currently undertaking an internship.
UCU Vice Chancellor Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi says cases like Eunyu’s are many at the institution. He says he feels sad whenever UCU receives the news of students who have lost their parents or guardians, especially for those in their last year of study, with no one to support them.
As a result of the pandemic, Mushengyezi said, many of the church workers were affected due to the prolonged lockdowns that saw places of worship closed, hence making it possible to meet some of their financial obligations. The fate of a few others was sealed in the same way like Eunyu’s father.
“I keep receiving children of the clergy who have been struggling because of such effects,” Mushengyezi said as he announced a university campaign that UCU hopes will lighten the burdens of such needs.
“Not all of us are endowed with all that we need to succeed in life,” Mushengyenzi said during a recent community worship session at the UCU Mukono campus. “Some of our students have needs and struggle with their tuition, and other needs.”
The “For Just 10k” campaign is intended to raise sh1billion (about $270,000), that, according to Mushengyezi, will be used to support needy students. The campaign was launched on June 15 at the university main campus in Mukono by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, who is also the UCU Chancellor, the Most Rev. Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu.
Dorothy Tushemereirwe, a fundraising consultant who is coordinating the project, says people can contribute as little as sh10,000 (about $2.6). The project runs from June this year to the same month next year. Should the target be realized, more than 300 UCU students will be able to receive tuition support.
According to Tushemereirwe, since the campaign was launched in June, sh22m (about $5,945) has been realized. She cites Worship Harvest Church, which has already offered a cheque of sh10m ($2,618) towards the cause.
How to donate
For direct deposits: +256774530810 in names of Dorothy Tushemereirwe or +13344240964 in the names of Mark Bartels (Reason for giving should be “for just 10k fundraiser”)
Online donations: Use GoFundMe (https://www.gofundme.com/f/needy-university-students)
Direct cash deposits on Stanbic bank: Account name: Uganda Christian University. Account Number: 9030005916673.
