Martha’s Leadership Journey: Empowering Through Mathematics and Hope

Martha, a 19-year-old from Uganda, is a testament to resilience and determination. As a member of the Ashinaga Rainbow House and a scholarship holder of the Future Leadership Scholarship Program, she has faced numerous trials, from financial hardships to academic struggles, with unwavering strength. Her journey is a testament to personal growth and the transformative power of education and support.

Her journey began with the loss of her father at a young age, leaving her mother as the sole provider for the family. Financial constraints made it difficult for Martha and her siblings to receive consistent education. Her mother’s relentless efforts to ensure their education often led to unpaid school fees and days in and out of school. Despite these obstacles, Martha’s academic potential was recognized, and she set her sights on staying at the top of her academic rankings.

Martha then joined the Ashinaga Rainbow House, a caring program that provided her with educational support and exciting opportunities. The program’s end-of-year parties and trips brought joy to Martha’s childhood, allowing her to explore new places and receive essential school supplies. Yet, Martha’s educational journey remained uncertain due to her family’s financial burdens, especially during the onset of COVID-19.

After completing primary school, Martha was determined to pave a brighter future for herself and sought the Future Leader Scholarship. With the support of her mother’s unwavering belief in her potential, Martha pursued the scholarship and successfully earned it through a detail-oriented interviewing process. Soon after, she chose to attend Makerere College School. This achievement enabled her consistent education and inspired hope for a better life for her family.

As Martha entered high school, she encountered various leadership opportunities that profoundly impacted her outlook on life. Among 100,000 students, she contested for a leadership position among her peers. Winning the position of class leader and later becoming the head girl, Martha discovered her natural ability to lead and inspire others. Her view of life regarding being a leader changed as she began to consider things beyond the perspective of others. Martha notes, “When you are among everyone, you think like them and do things like them. But when you are a leader, you start to see what others aren’t seeing […] Because you stand out and lead people, so you have to see what they can’t see to lead them […].” These leadership roles encouraged her to develop a more mature and responsible take on things, allowing her to see beyond her circumstances and empathize with others’ struggles.

Martha’s transformation from these leadership experiences instilled confidence and built on her communication skills. Through workshops and counseling from Ashinaga staff, she also learned to gauge her feelings, broaden her thinking capacity, and think critically during times of crisis. Leading by example, she inspired her peers and gained their trust through collaboration and shared endeavors.

Furthermore, Martha’s leadership journey expanded internationally when she was chosen to participate in an exchange program in Sweden. Before her selection, she engaged in online calls with students from Sweden through her school facilities, where her social skills and unique personality ultimately enabled her to be chosen for the exchange abroad. During her time in Sweden, Martha was exposed to their exceptional academic environment and their emphasis on proactive learning, time management, and teamwork. These experiences further motivated her to be proactive in her education and set high standards.

Reflecting on her time with Ashinaga, Martha acknowledges the Future Leadership Scholarship Program’s impact on her life. Beyond providing financial support, Ashinaga has allowed her to remain in school and foster academic and social growth. The program’s camps and events have deepened her understanding of leadership, facilitating her ability to collaborate, listen to others, and take responsibility.

In closing, Martha’s dreams extend beyond her success. Her passion for physics and mathematics has led her to pursue a career in quantity surveying. However, her aspirations go beyond individual achievement. Inspired by her support from Ashinaga, Martha envisions partnering with the organization to give back and support other underprivileged children. In the long term, she hopes to establish an organization or shelter that aids girls who have dropped out of school or aids women in need. This is important to Martha because she believes the system of life should not be in such a way that leaves girls hopeless and struggling to make ends meet and that everyone deserves shelter and hope in life. Through these experiences and aspirations, Martha continues to serve as an inspiration to others and a beacon of hope for a brighter future.