Shifa is one of our sponsored children. She currently is in her senior two. In this interview, she shares about her dream profession, her love for dance and her family.

1. What’s your favourite subject?

History.

2. What is your dream profession?

I want to be a veterinary doctor.

3. So, you want to become a veterinary doctor, but your favourite subject is history which is not a science subject. How do you hope to achieve your dream of becoming a veterinary doctor?

If I do my best I have a good chance at becoming a veterinary doctor. The only subjects I struggle with are Biology and Mathematics. But chemistry, that one I am good at.

4. Why do you want to be a veterinary doctor?

I want to save the animals that are killed like the dogs that are always poisoned in my neighbourhood and yet those dogs provide us with security.

5. Do you engage in any extracurricular activities at school?

Yes. I dance and also play netball. In fact we just finished competing in the Kadaga Cup netball competitions where my school came third.

6. How did you join Hope for Life?

I was not going to school because my mother did not have money to pay my school fees.

7. Why was your mother unable to pay your school fees?

She was jobless without any income and yet I and my three siblings had to go to school.

8. What about your father, do you know why he was unable to provide you with financial help?

No.

9. Have you always been a good girl?

No. I used to be very stubborn and playful at school.

10. What made you change to the good girl you are today?

Once there was no money to pay my school fees and I got a sponsor, I realized I needed to be serious at my studies because once someone has helped you, you have to do your best so they are happy with you so they can continue sponsoring you.

11. What do you see as the biggest problem in your community back at home (Katanga slum)?

There are many children unable to go to school like I was.

12. Is anything you plan to do about that problem?

I want to help them so they can be like me. May be I will build an orphanage for them so that they too can go to school.

Shifa: A veterinary doctor who loves history