Journey to University: Sandrah

Namulondo Sandrah Edith joined Action in Africa in 2016 when she was in Senior One. She had attended St. Johnson Day and Boarding Primary School in Nakuwadde, along Sentema Road, before moving on to Central College Nateete – Bulenga Campus for both her O-Level and A-Level studies. Currently, she is in her final semester of her second year at Makerere University, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts with Education through Action in Africa’s University Scholarship Program.

Before receiving support from Action in Africa, Sandrah's family faced major financial difficulties. Her parents struggled to pay her school fees on time, and she was often sent home for non-payment. Pocket money was scarce, and things became even harder when her father, who had been working as a manager, lost his job. Her mother, a housewife, was unable to support the family financially. “I remember sitting at home and weeks passed by without reporting to school,” she says. “For sure, I got frustrated.”

Her fortunes changed in 2016 when she received a secondary scholarship from Action in Africa. Although her family had relocated, she had already been participating in AIA programs and was in their records. Sh felt determined to chase her dreams. “With God’s grace, my mother was given good news that AIA is to support my studies,” she said. “It excited my entire family.”

The Center’s Holiday Program quickly became a source of inspiration. Sandrah was especially drawn to spelling bees and quizzes, as she had always dreamed of becoming a teacher. She thrived in AIA’s wide range of offerings, from morning lessons, medical outreaches, yoga, dance, painting, and music.

“Before, I couldn’t even know how to use a computer,” she recalls. Through the Internship Program, she benefited deeply from counseling and guidance sessions led by the “mamas” of The Center and external facilitators. These programs, she says, were vital in helping her grow into a confident young woman and prepared her well for the opportunities that came with university life.

“Action in Africa educates, inspires, and empowers the community,” she says. “All these three aspects resonate in me. Whoever passes through Action in Africa can never be unsuccessful in life through the knowledge, skills, and scholarship support provided from the grassroots.”

Sandrah dreams of becoming “an outstanding secondary teacher and a community worker, while serving back to Action in Africa.” Among her fondest memories is the time she and her peers used small instant cameras to take photos at The Center of “funny, magical, and amazing moments,” she said.

She expresses deep gratitude to Action in Africa’s Executive Director, Sarah Nininger, and the donors who help make the organization’s work possible. “If she had no extra support, she wouldn’t have reached this far,” Sandrah reflects. “May you be blessed abundantly. Very soon I will be called Tr. Sandrah because of Action in Africa.”