Summary:
- Akampurira, an orphan raised by his single mother, sat for the Primary Leaving Examination at Future Generation Nursery and Primary School in Rubanda District, South Western Uganda.
RUBANDA: A 15-year-old pupil, Mark Akampurira, who grazed goats to earn money for his school fees, is beaming with pride after securing a five aggregate score in the Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) an achievement that is not only a testament to his hard work but also to his resilience and unwavering ambition in Rubanda District.
Akampurira, an orphan raised by his single mother, sat for the Primary Leaving Examination at Future Generation Nursery and Primary School in Rubanda District, South Western Uganda. He is among the top four candidates from his school to score a five aggregate, out of 18 candidates who sat for the exam. Of those 18, 15 passed in First Grade, while three passed in Second Grade.
The announcement of the PLE results on Thursday last week reached Akampurira while he was doing his usual job of grazing goats in Kandihe Village, Nyaruhanga ward, Rubanda Town Council. Every evening after attending classes and on weekends, Akampurira would tend to the goats, guiding them across the verdant hills, all while ensuring that his academic responsibilities were met.
It wasn’t easy balancing the demanding work with his school assignments, but Akampurira understood that education was his gateway to a better future.
“I wanted to go to school and make my family proud, but raising the fees was a huge challenge,” Akampurira shared with a smile. “Goat grazing became my way of contributing, even if it meant sacrificing my time. But I knew the end goal was worth it.”
Each evening, Akampurira would graze the school’s goats, and during the holidays, he would keep the goats on the school grounds to earn money for his education. He never let the work interfere with his studies.
“It wasn’t easy, but I knew that education was my key to a better future. Grazing goats helped my family, but I always made time for my schoolwork. I would graze the goats while others were in class studying, and then join the evening revision sessions at around 7:00 PM after grazing,” he explained.
Armed with his books, Akampurira would find moments to study while keeping an eye on the goats. His dedication paid off when the results of his hard work were finally revealed. Akampurira’s five aggregate score placed him among the district’s top performers, a source of pride for both his family and school.
“I would always ask my classmates what they had studied in my absence, and I would consult my teachers when I got stuck. I am happy now with the success I have achieved, and I thank God for helping me score five aggregates. I also want to thank the Director, Head teacher, and all my teachers for their encouragement and wisdom,” he said.
Looking ahead, Akampurira has dreams of becoming an engineer.
“I want to help others, just like I was helped by my Director and teachers. In the future, I want to give back to my community,” he said.
Ms. Elizabeth Tumusiime (38), Akampurira’s mother, a casual laborer in Ntungamo District, shared her joy and pride in her son’s achievement.
“I struggled to take care of the children, so when I met Ms. Joseline Korugyendo, the Director of Future Generation Nursery and Primary, I entrusted her with their care. She has been like a parent to them. I couldn’t believe it when I heard the results. He worked so hard, and today, we are celebrating his determination,” Ms. Tumusiime said, tears of joy in her eyes.
Ms. Korugyendo, the school Director, explained that she had taken responsibility for Akampurira’s schooling since Primary One, after his mother reached out to her due to financial difficulties.
“His mother had been overwhelmed and had even considered drastic measures. When I heard her story, I was moved, and I decided to take responsibility for Akampurira and two other orphaned children at the school. Akampurira has always been hardworking, both in class and outside of it. During holidays, he would help graze goats with other orphaned children at the school,” she recalled.
Ms. Korugyendo also revealed plans to continue supporting Akampurira’s education.
“His performance has convinced me that even orphaned children can succeed. I’m so proud of him, and I thank God for his success. If I were a billionaire, I would focus on helping the needy. He has inspired me, and I plan to put him in a good secondary school. I believe he will focus on his studies and grow into a responsible citizen who will help his family and contribute to the country,” she said.
