Leonard Oloya was seated on a bench underneath a large jackfruit tree. His grandparents sat on either side of him and all three were engaged in conversation with Richard Mark Ochaka, Leonard’s mentor from the Legacy Scholarship Program (LSP).
Just last week, one would not have found Leonard at home. Instead, he was sitting for his O-Level exams and, in turn, completing his fourth year of secondary school at Sir Samuel Baker School.
LSP mentors are traveling throughout northern Uganda for home visits with the students they mentor or the students’ families. The mentors assess the physical and emotional well being of the student, talk about how their exams went and and discuss any plans the family has for before the new school term starts a few months from now.
Leonard says that he plans on using his leave from school to make and sell bricks. At the encouragement of his mentor, he may pursue farming as well. While recipients of LSP scholarships receive merit-based scholarships to cover their school fees, the student is expected to cover additional fees for certain personal items, such as textbooks. Thus, he or she is encouraged to spend leave helping with their families’ businesses or finding ways to make money.
“The future belongs to those who plan for it. But you are not just a future leader. You are a current leader by doing what you can do to help,” Richard told Leonard, encouraging him to continue working hard both inside and out of the classroom.
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