Ropani found hope and education amid crisis through university scholarship
Ropani Diana Peace was forced to flee her home country of South Sudan. It interrupted her education, but thanks to a scholarship initiative she was able to resume. Now at 20, she’s graduating from university and hopes to be able to create a stable life for her and her three-year-old son.
WHEN THE 2016 crisis swept through South Sudan, tearing families apart, Ropani’s family sought refuge in Uganda. They settled in the challenging landscape of Bidibidi settlement.
Her connection with Uganda was not new, she often used to take the night bus from Yei in South Sudan to Uganda, drawn by the belief that Uganda offered the best education. Her search for knowledge was a family legacy, fueled by her mother’s determination to provide the best opportunities for her eldest daughter.
When conflict broke out in South Sudan, Ropani found herself in Uganda once more, but this time not as a student traveling for education but as a refugee seeking safety. Bidibidi refugee settlement became her new home, a place where survival took precedence over dreams.
“In the confusion of moving to a new place,” Ropani says, “I had to rebuild my life and take care of my two sisters and newborn son.” But then, she explains, “I heard about a scholarship from the National Association of Partners.”
“At first, I wasn’t sure about applying because I had just become a mom,” Ropani admits. “But I decided to give it a try.”
Ropani received a university scholarship facilitated by Finn Church Aid and UNHCR and generously funded by the National Association of Partners (NAPS).
“I got the scholarship, and it helped me with almost all of my expenses – tuition, a place to stay, a laptop, internet, and even some extra money for living”, she adds.
Having gotten a second chance, Ropani embarked on her academic journey at Uganda Christian University – Mukono, taking a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance
“The routine of sharing my end-of-semester results with UNHCR and FCA representatives became a ritual of gratitude and celebration,” she recalls. “Their praise and encouragement served as a constant reminder that my resilience in education were not in vain.” she adds.
As Ropani prepares to graduate, she carries with her the dreams of a stable life for her three-year-old son. Her motivation transcends personal achievements; it extends to the hope that education can break the chains of pain and shape a brighter future.
“The laptops, tuition, money, and other support from the National Association of Partners have not only helped me but have also shown others like me that there’s hope for a better life, even when we’re far from home.”
Text: Kadlah Nabakembo