October 3, 2022 – Representing her school at an event of a national student association, Mary Immaculate, one of our students from the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, advocated student leaders to push more for girls’ education – in true continuation of the lessons she took from the peacebuilding program we teach in her school.
Oyela Mary Immaculate, 18, is a student at Panyadoli Self Help Secondary School, form 6 Arts, Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement. She is the student’s representative in the Uganda National Students Association (UNSA), an umbrella organization for all students in post primary institutions in Uganda and Ugandan students studying abroad, guiding and supporting them in the promotion of their academic ambitions and the achievement of successful careers.
With the UNSA membership made up of 7 million students from secondary schools, High schools, Tertiary & Vocational institutions and Universities, Oyela Mary Immaculate can be particularly proud to officiate a representative for her peers – and she could not miss an opportunity to deliver a critical message to such an audience.
On July 2, 2022, she attended the 32nd students’ Council meeting that was held at the Uganda Christian University, Mukono and brought more than 130 students from 130 schools. Key issues discussed during this matter included: student welfare, strengthening better students’ participation in issues affecting them, strengthening case reporting and referral pathways. Oyela Mary Immaculate was excited to have the privilege to contribute to the work of the organization and seized this unique opportunity to advocate for the achievement and protection of girl child education and their rights. “I am excited to participate at this national student’s council where my contribution to the amendment of the constitution will shape and protect the future of girl child education in the country. I am also delighted that my input in this association has given me the chance to create awareness and sensitize fellow students and parents on the value of protecting girl child education and training them on how to make reusable sanitary pads that has hugely contributed to the proper management of menstrual hygiene among the girls hence, reduced school dropout rate amongst the girl students,” remarked Mary Immaculate.
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