The Aruu North Member of Parliament in her struggle to find a better lives for the children from vulnerable families, especially under her program, ‘Adaa Scholarship’ that is trying to pave way for 154 learners, has yielded fruits as some of the beneficiaries are finishing their course studies this year and others next year (2025).
The legislator has pledged full scholarship for some two nodding syndrome victims who sat in 2023 PLE and excelled very well under her Adaa Scholarship program.
Started in 2021, ‘Adaa Scholarship’ program is aimed at raising the vulnerable children that are selected by program leaders elected by the community members. Under the program, there are learners from different institutions within Pader district, the Northern region and across the country including; Atanga Mix Secondary School, Friends of Orphans, Atanga Girls Secondary School, Pajule Senior Secondary School, all in Pader district.
Other schools include; Pope John Paul II College in Gulu District, Kampala International University, and Kawempe Community School of Health Sciences among others.
According to Hon Okot, there are currently a total of 154 students under the Adaa scholarship which is being funded by herself. Recently, she encouraged the beneficiaries of the scholarship sponsored by her to work hard in 2024 in order to excel.
The Adaa scholarship is sponsoring a total of 50 students in S.4 this year (2024) whose tuitions are at least Shs 250,000 each plus scholastic materials that is required of a student. However, she explains that there are extreme cases where she pays full including food stuff.
“I am doing my best in order to change the lives of these children who do not have hope in succeeding academically by providing what they lack, though it’s difficult. Some of them are under full scholarship under my foundation of Adaa Scholarship, especially those without anybody to stand with them completely,” Hon Okot narrates.
She added that these exceptional cases include; children affected by nodding syndrome that are on medications but performing well academically, especially those with good grades.
“One of the nodding syndrome victims got aggregate 13 in the recent PLE examination and another got aggregate 16. These two needs support, and I offered to help them, sponsor their education at a full tuition, she added. Other exceptional cases include; deaths of parents, leading to child-headed families.
According to the legislator, education is seen as the key to these students’ future, and they consistently encourage them to strive for a better future. The support provided to these children encompasses scholastic materials, school fees, sanitary pads for girls, and other essentials, ensuring that even the most vulnerable have access to education during these challenging economic times.
Hon. Okot clarified that the scholarship program exclusively assists financially disadvantaged children who cannot afford to pay their fees. She disclosed that over 20 million shillings are allocated each term for the welfare of these needy students.
Hon. Santa Okot represents the people of Aruu North constituency in the 11th parliament, assuming office in 2021 following her victory over her rival. She is affiliated with Uganda’s People Progressive Party (PPP), founded in 2004 by Jaberi Bidandi Ssali.
The party’s motto is “Together in progress,” and its symbol is a lamp lit in the center of the map of Uganda. The party’s colors are red, orange, blue, and white.
