My name is Nabatanzi Ireen and I am a secondary student now in senior three (ordinary level). We live in a village, there are seven members in my family. The sole source of income for my family is from my dad working odd jobs outside the village and some of the crops we planted. My mom is the only one at home taking care of all other family members.

I often have the urge to go out to work to support my family. However my dad would always say :”As long as you study hard, all my hard work will pay off.” The living expense for us including the school fees is a big sum for my family. In addition, my mom has pressure and cancer illnesses and needs to take medicine frequently. Therefore my dad does not only need provide home expenses, but also the medical expenses for my mom.

Though our family condition is very difficult, my dad always encourages us:”You should try your best to study hard. Education is the only way out. Without education like me, you can only do labor work and no one will show you respect. You will go to high school and university and have a better life than your mom and me. All of our hard work will be worthwhile if you get into high school and university. No pain, no gain.” To finish high school and university therefore is the main goal in my life currently.

I have to work very hard to live up to my parents' expectations. I have been working to improve my performance every day. I know studying hard and education is the only way for me to get out of this worse life and to pursue a better life for myself and my parents. So my parents can relax a bit and have a more stable and happy life in their older age. My biggest fear is that I will not do well in school even after trying hard so to disappoint my parents. However no matter I will give my very best.

Thanks for listening to my story.