Journey to University: Owen

I am Ngobi Owen, aged 23. I consider myself one of the luckiest individuals in the 2026 Internship Cohort. Having been part of the Action in Africa family since my time in the Primary Partnership Program (PPP) at All Saints Preparatory School, I have truly been nurtured by this community. My studies at Riverside High School in Physics, Fine Art, and Mathematics on scholarship have paved the way for my dream career in Civil Engineering. 

I am now eagerly looking forward to joining Kyambogo University on AIA's University Scholarship to continue this journey and give back to the community that supported me from day one.  

Growing up, I watched my mother struggle tirelessly to provide an education for her three children. As the eldest son, I felt compelled to take a leadership role in my family. To ensure I had scholastic materials, I spent my time working on construction sites. Those earnings didn't just buy my books but they often went toward helping my mother with rent, a heavy burden for a young boy to carry, but  that shaped the man I am today. 

Much of the hardships I faced stemmed from growing up without a father, whom I have never known since childhood. It has been a difficult state to navigate as a young man, but I am so incredibly grateful that in his absence, Action in Africa stepped in. They filled that gap, serving as a father figure and providing the guidance, protection, and support I needed to thrive. 

There were moments when I had to sacrifice my classes to work on construction sites. I knew that if I didn't work, I would have no money for food or basic school supplies, and I refused to be an extra burden on my mother. While she worked tirelessly at her small sales stall, the income simply wasn't enough to sustain our entire family. I took on casual labor not just for myself, but to stand as a second hand to my mother in supporting our household. 

At one point, I had decided to drop out of school and start working for my siblings because we didn't have a father, which meant our mother needed a second hand. Though AIA has provided me with a path to higher education, the reality of my sister’s departure from school after Senior Four continues to drive my ambition. Seeing her manage a small chips business to survive fuels my determination to study hard. I aim to use my career to uplift my family financially and provide the same support to my community as well. 

The moment I was awarded a Secondary Scholarship, the entire narrative of my life shifted, you could say 'the film title changed.' I was finally relieved of the labor I had endured just to survive. Today, the stress of rent, school fees and scholastic materials are past memories because Action in Africa has been instrumental in providing all the necessary support.  

Beyond the classroom, holiday break programs at The Center like career guidance, mentorship and public speaking have been transformative, helping me discover my true potential and giving me the confidence to continue moving forward. 

Thank you, Action in Africa, your support is parental. You have transformed my life. The boy who wanted to drop out and look for manual labor is now looking forward to joining the university and pursuing his dream of becoming an engineer.