The Traditional Scholarship Scheme

Today as I was thinking about what to do to help vulnerable young girls access education, something crossed my mind, I kept asking myself, where did the “Traditional Scholarship Scheme” go?

In Africa, specifically Uganda, I have grown up seeing immediate and extended family members taking up a responsibility of paying school fees for their relatives in need. There was no paper work needed, relatives would volunteer on a case by case basis to pay school dues. When I got my first job, it was automatic I had school fees to pay, believe me a greater part of my salary was taken up by fees and am glad the few people I supported can stand on their own.  In Uganda, a greater number of people once employed will have a niece, nephew, cousin, sister, brother, children to pay fees for. This does not mean that those paying fees have a lot of money but they have the heart and will to support others.

I have seen people graduate and through their narrations over 5 relatives have made a contribution in paying their dues. This has drastically changed but how I wish it still existed.