Student-mother opts for vocational studies

In Summary

Determined. She failed all the examination papers but is determined to pursue vocational studies.

Kamuli. Ms Brenda Kampi, the 18-year old student of Kabukye Secondary School in Kamuli District who delivered a baby girl just four hours to her Uganda Certificate of Education English paper, has opted for vocational studies.
Ms Kampi failed all examinable papers (F-9). In an interview soon after the Uganda National Examination Board released the results last Friday, Ms Kampi said she was not surprised by the outcome of her efforts at school.
“When I became pregnant, I developed a phobia for teachers. I used to hate them. I hated the English teacher most and it’s not surprising that I gave birth before sitting the English paper,” Ms Kampi said.

“I could vomit, have nausea and shunned school to hide the pregnancy,” Ms Kampi narrated.
She also attributed her poor performance to harsh parents who banished her from their home after realising she was pregnant. She took shelter at the neighbour’s home who counselled her. With the support of a neighbour, she rejected proposals to abort as she was told she could lose both the baby and her life.
An unnamed man, said to be a businessman, who impregnated the student, has since fled for fear of arrest since she conceived when she was just 17 years old.

She had thought of not sitting for the examinations but the school authorities asked her to do them since she had registered.
On her future plans, Ms Kampi said her focus is on how to raise her child she named, Ingrid Namboira, as a single parent after her would be husband abandoned responsibility.
She disclosed that she is saving every penny she gets to buy some animals from which she can earn money for upkeep. From the money she got from sympathisers when she delivered during exams, and became centre of attraction, she bought a goat and named it Gubamwoyo.

“I am now looking for money and a good Samaritan to enable me join a vocational school,” Ms Kampi said, adding that she hopes to get practical skills in tailoring and hairdressing.
“I will be able to fend for my baby and secure her future. The short courses will do for me because I cannot now again find fees,” she pointed out.
Ms Kampi advises girls to stay away from randy men who entice them by painting a rosy picture about a future when they are together in love, but abandon them on getting pregnant, hence ruining their future.

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