Today we have a special treat: We get to hear the story of one of the girls from Arlington Academy of Hope! This extraordinary young woman is just one example of the students at Arlington Academy of Hope that will be supported by the GIRLS WHO ROCK. So, without further ado, meet Namome Asha:
Asha studying at the Arlington Academy of Hope
Self Expression
by Namome Asha
My Story
I am called Namome Asha Anne and am in Primary Seven at Arlington Academy of Hope. I began studying at Arlington in Primary One in 2004. It has been a very good school for me. Arlington has helped me very much. My sponsors have helped me pay for my school fees and this has enabled me to get a good education. My education has opened up the world to me. It has helped me become a very strong young girl and I am successful in my studies.
Education has helped me become so successful.
My family consists of 8 members, three boys and five girls. One of my brothers has just completed his advanced level education. However, my family is just doing fair. My parents are not very well off, but I struggle hard to help them. For now, I do not live with my real parents. I live with Uncle John’s family. They picked me from my father’s home because they saw he was unable to pay my school fees. They have managed to keep me up to now in Primary Seven and I thank them for that care for me. God bless them. They have supported my education so much.
At my school, Arlington Academy of Hope, we have so many activities. Every year, we practice and participate in the music competitions. This year we have advanced through three levels and the fourth level is the final National Competition. We have won all the three levels, and all that is remaining is nationals. We pray hard to win.
We also go for educational tours every 3rd term each year. From P.2 to P.3, they tour Mbale regions. From P.4 to P.5, they tour Jinja and the rest of P.6 and P.7 tour Kampala region. We are so glad for these tours. All our thanks go to the sponsors and also the U.S.A. board for sponsoring us to go on these trips. Arlington Academy of Hope has helped us, as young students, do and see things were never dreamed were possible.
"I would like to request to you, a global network of women, to help girls know how to solve such problems."
I have faced many challenges in my life. Some of them, like math, seem to be hard for me. But, I have made sure that I ask my friends and teachers for help. At school, we have a Reading Challenge every year. In last year’s challenge, I was able to read 65 books. For this year, I should be challenged to read more than 100 books! I work hard towards the promise to read many books so that I can be pleased with myself. I also have a challenge to work extremely hard to pass my Primary Leaving Examinations this year. My goal is to pass with flying colors!
As young girls in a rural community, we face a lot of problems and challenges. We tell problems to our Senior Woman teacher who helps us so much. Some of them are solved, but some are not solved. Some of the problems facing women of the world are defilement, rape, and kidnapping. I would like to request to you, a global network of WOMEN, to help girls know how to solve such problems. Many parents do not care, even if we tell them.
There are other challenges facing woman in education and in the world. Some women sell themselves on streets as prostitutes and then leave their education. Other women or girls feel that they are not as strong as men or boys. They feel that they cannot hold some jobs like president, professor, etc. It makes them neglect themselves and their education as well. Other women or girls drop out of school when they are very young, leading them to be less educated. Those are some of the challenges facing women and education today. These problems are real and are causing the girls to remain a “step down” from boys.
My hope for the future is to join secondary school next year. I hope to learn and continue in school with my studies until I complete them. My hope also is to work hard and get good grades in my upcoming mock examinations. Some of my dreams for the future are to finish university and get a master’s degree. Another dream is to become the President of Uganda. I hope my dreams will pass through and be fulfilled by working hard.
It is so important to continue with my education because it will help me in various ways in my life. This will enable me to get a very good job in the future. It will help me to stay safe from diseases like HIV/AIDS, which cannot be cured. I will be able to have a good husband and family in the future. Continuing with my education will help me to be useful to my fellow brothers, sisters, parents, and relatives. It will enable me to be so successful in my life.
[Editor's Note: If you would like to help Asha continue her education and also enjoy an awesome evening of live music in NYC, buy your tickets at www.girlswhorock.org! ]
