Chapter VII. The start of my second semester

The email from the university arrived, confirming my return date for the start of the second semester: January 3rd, 2025. A tight deadline loomed, but I immediately contacted David, and we began brainstorming ways to raise the necessary funds. Time was short, but David miraculously secured some initial funding, enough for me to report to campus on the very first day. A wave of relief washed over me. Unlike many of my friends, still scrambling to gather tuition and fees, I was back at university, ready to begin.

My second semester started smoothly. Within the first week, I’d paid the hostel fees in full and even made a dent in my food expenses. Classes began immediately, as scheduled, and I attended every lecture without the worry of outstanding payments hanging over my head.

As my studies progressed, David launched another fundraising appeal. We aimed to cover the remaining balance for food and accommodation, but the generosity of the donors exceeded all expectations. We received enough to cover not only my expenses for the entire semester, but more. David transferred the funds, and I felt a surge of gratitude, coupled with the responsibility of managing it wisely.

A photo of my young ones  going to school after sending them some of the money I received from my donors.

With my campus expenses taken care of, I sent a portion of the remaining money to my mother in the village. This would help pay for my younger siblings’ school fees, a constant worry for our family. It had always been my dream to support their education and alleviate their burden. They relied on the grueling work of brick making to earn their school fees, a common practice in Uganda, and one our family knew all too well.

A photo of my young brothers tilling the ground to collect the soil to be used for brick making.

Brick making is back-breaking labor. It begins with tilling the land, gathering enough soil to mold the desired number of bricks. Then comes the arduous task of carrying water from the well in heavy jerrycans, adding it to the soil, and mixing it by hand until it reaches the right consistency. We use rectangular wooden molds, filling them bit by bit with the mud mixture, then carefully carrying each filled mold to a designated area to dry and harden. Once dried, the bricks are stacked and fired in a kiln to achieve their final strength and characteristic reddish hue. Each brick weighs about two kilograms, and to speed up the process, we often use double molds. Even though, it's exhausting work. The bricks sell for a meager 25 Ugandan shillings each, meaning thousands must be made to earn any substantial amount.

A photo of my mother and my young brother organizing the already made bricks.

Seeing my mother and younger siblings struggle at the beginning of each school term, resorting to this exhausting labor because we lacked any other source of income, always filled me with sadness. This time, thanks to the donations, they were spared. They could focus on their studies without the added pressure of back-breaking work. A wave of happiness spread through our home. My gratitude to everyone who contributed is immense. Their generosity has not only supported my education but has lifted a heavy burden from my family. Everyone at home is happy, and for that, I am truly thankful.