Name: Najjuka Sarah Shamirah
Undergraduate Degree Course: Bachelor Of Commerce
University: Makerere University, Uganda
Najjuka Sarah Shamirah, a 20-year-old student at Makerere University, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in commerce. During her upbringing, her mother played a significant role as the primary breadwinner, supporting the family’s financial needs, including education. However, life took a difficult turn when she lost her mother. Sarah is deeply thankful for the opportunity to attain a scholarship that has helped her continue her education.
How has the scholarship program benefited you?
Growing up, I have always seen my parents struggle a lot to cover our education fees and needs. l saw my mother sacrifice the little she had to put us in school even before she paid attention to her medical needs, this was always hard for me because I could not do anything about it. When I got this scholarship, I was so happy and relieved. This scholarship has helped me cover my tuition and by doing so am less stressed, allowing me to focus more of my attention in class to earn the credits and not worry about how am going to pay for the fees. I am positive that this scholarship will enable me to pursue my career dream and make my mother proud.
What’s your view on impact investing so far and have you developed an interest in impact investing?
In my view, we can all be agents of social change while achieving our individual goals. Our futures are interdependent, as social entrepreneurs and human beings we have a moral imperative to act collaboratively to transform our economy and redefine our notions of value. Impact investing allows us to be part of a social change that makes a measurable difference for our communities and country. Impact investing can eradicate poverty, wipe out hunger and attain food security, expand access to quality health care and education, achieve gender equality, ensure justice, and promote peace.
How has the scholarship shaped you toward making a social contribution/ impact on your community?
Growing up less privileged and attaining this scholarship was really a great opportunity for me, I have seen many dropping out, not because they wanted to, but because the social status of the family influences one’s level of education attainment. This scholarship has enabled me to see the effect of social investing, and thanks to SIMA I now have a different story to tell.
What impact would you like to make in your community?
According to my experience and the society where I come from, very few children manage to attain education due to the failure to raise funds by their parents, many don’t attain good health care services and majorly depend on local and herbal medicines. Emphasis would be put on the schools within my community, supporting them with scholastic materials and stationery and financing the bright but less privileged children as well as those with special talents putting into consideration those with special needs and focusing on improving health care by facilitating community health care centers. I believe this would make a great change in my community.
If these inspiring stories have piqued your interest and you want to make a difference in the lives of future scholars, consider getting involved with the SIMA Impact Foundation Scholarship Program. Your support can help us empower more bright minds and change even more lives. Visit our scholarship program to learn how you can contribute or apply for the scholarship. Together, we can continue to create a brighter future through education and opportunity.
