Hamid, Shanti (written by Shanti - male); brother Khalid, sister Sarah

Born: 1987
Country: DR Congo
Family: brother Khalid (18 years old), sister Sarah (14 years old), parents deceased
Grade: Shanti senior 3, Khalid senior 6, Sarah primary 4; all need educational assistance

Edited email(s):

My name is Shanti Hamid. I was born in Congo but am now a refugee living in Uganda. I ran from my home because of war; I ran with my brother, Khalid who is 18 years old, and my sister, Sarah who is 14 years old. Our parents were killed in the Congo. We live alone and have no relatives in the camp.

My brother, sister, and I normally spend our day cultivating our piece of land so that we can have food and medicine.

I completed senior 2 in 2004, since then I have stayed at home because I cannot pay my school fees. I used to pay my school fees from the dog I had. The dog would produce puppies which I would exchange with the hunters for goats, later I would sell the goats and use the money to pay my fees. But in August 2004 a certain bad person killed the dog leaving me with no way to pay my fees.

My brother, Khalid, has been studying on a bursary (i.e. a monetary award made by an institution to an individual or a group to assist the development of their education) and has completed senior 5. His bursary has not been renewed for senior 6 which he should start next year; we have no way to pay his school fees for next year.

My sister Sarah is in primary 4 but always has problems to pay for her school uniform, shoes, and books.

I remain yours, Shanti