Higher Education for a Handicapped Girl in Northern Uganda

Joan Awor, has been handicapped since early childhood, in the culture of tribes in northern Uganda, it is common that handicapped children are kept “out of sight”, in the home or often they are sent to live with their grandparents in smaller or more distant villages.

Joan did not wish to follow the norm ~ she wanted to go to school and Joan’s mother, a primary school teacher, encouraged Joan to study. She went to school,  crawling on her hands and knees everyday. It wasn’t until high school that she received her first wheelchair. There are other handicapped children who go to school but few finish high school and Joan passed with some of the highest grades of her class.

She began work at the Radio Station set up by the Comboni Missionaries in Lira Diocese. It became clear that she was capable of higher education. Through help, in part by the Lira Diocese Radio station, she went to Ndejje University where she graduated with honors in 2007. She is the first handicapped girl from Northern Uganda to obtain a BA in Education!

She now has applied to the Catholic University of Uganda Martyrs and has been accepted for a Masters in Development Economics. Again, she will be the first handicapped woman to reach this level. Joan has overcome much and she is an inspiration to many other young girls, especially those with some handicap as you can imagine. Joan wants to put her higher education towards the service of others.

The following are fees in US dollars for one year:

Tuition: $1,130 per semester or $3,390 for the year (3 semesters).

Books: $330.00

Student Union fees: $20.00

Housing: $740.00

Transport: $550.00

Stationary supplies: $100.00

Total expenses for Joan’s studies: $5,130

Any contribution you can make in reaching this goal, is much appreciated!