Aid Priscilla's Last Step to Graduating University

Hello, my name is Priscilla, and I’m raising funds to cover the tuition fees for the final year of my undergraduate degree at the University of Essex.

I come from a rather modest background in Uganda, raised by a single mother who has worked tirelessly to support my education throughout my life. I completed secondary school in 2021 during the height of the global pandemic, a difficult time for many, and especially for my family. Even before I finished secondary school, my mother, the sole breadwinner, had been laid off due to organisational downsizing and spent nearly four years without employment. This would prove to be a trying time for us, and it seemed like I would never graduate as the pandemic raged on and my school fees were still expected, as is standard in primary and secondary education in Uganda. However, by 2021, she was finally able to secure a position at a USAID-funded organisation, just in time for my secondary school graduation and the start of my higher education journey. It felt like a real miracle straight out of a fairytale.

Although I was originally accepted into my dream university and for my dream course (Pharmacy at UCL), I was forced to turn it down due to financial constraints. Later, I discovered the University of Essex, which offered a generous scholarship for African students in their first year of study. This opportunity opened the door for me to pursue an integrated Master’s degree in Biochemistry and Biotechnology, a field I am deeply passionate about, and it still aligns with my original goals of being able to help others through science. I hope that my degree will allow me to contribute meaningfully to scientific research and the community.

Sadly, due to recent political changes in America, funding for USAID was cut, and my mother’s organisation was forced to shut down several of its projects. She was once again made redundant, and with her income gone, we are now in an extremely precarious financial situation when it comes to both my studies and our personal lives. I currently work part-time, but the hours are few, and my earnings are only able to cover essentials such as food, not nearly enough to cover accommodation or tuition.

For the past two years, my mother’s income has been the only reason I’ve been able to pursue higher education at all. We have lived extremely frugally. I have only been able to spend on the bare minimum, taking advantage of student discounts, walking rather than using transport, and staying in the cheapest accommodation the university offers. I have even had to shorten my degree from a four-year integrated Master’s to a three-year Bachelor’s in Biochemistry, as I can no longer afford to continue for an additional year. I plan to work for some time and save to continue my education at a later point in time.

Throughout my time at university, I have been an active member of the student community, serving as a Student Course Representative, Peer Mentor, Resident Life Assistant, and Society Executive for the Travel Society. For each of these roles, I was awarded the Big Essex Award in recognition of my contributions. I have also volunteered both within and outside of the university. For example, I spent nearly a year with the British Heart Foundation. As for my academic performance, I have been proactive and consistent, scoring a 2:1 in my first year and a first in my second. As a result, I was placed on the Dean’s List for Excellence (2023/24) for outstanding academic performance, and I aim to graduate with a first-class degree.

In the future, I hope to use my degree, experience and knowledge to help other marginalised individuals get into higher education either through providing funding, mentoring or offering general advice. I also hope, that through my degree, I will be able to advance import research initiatives that could help make the world a better place. The areas I hope to help advance include healthcare, sustainability and or agriculture where research can be used to improve other people's lives and help preserve the environment we live in.

This sudden and severe loss of income has put my ability to graduate at serious risk. But with your support, no matter how small, I can still reach the finish line and take a meaningful step toward a future filled with purpose, progress, and hope.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story and for considering supporting my journey.

God bless you all,

Priscilla