KF the Game Changer

 

When I look back and see how far I have come, I  always get  amazed and feel so grateful. I always look back and remember myself in primary school when my future felt so uncertain and unclear. I did not know how I was going to move forward, and so I just committed myself to doing the tasks that were before me and this meant to study hard and stay active in school activities. I remember the first day I heard about Kucetekela foundation. I was sitting in class and my teacher told me to go and apply for a certain scholarship. So I walked out of the classroom and went to the room where all the students who were selected to apply were. In total, we were approximately 40, and I sat down there and filled in the form. I didn't know what to feel and what to expect, all I knew was that I did my best to fill in the forms and went home that afternoon. I didn't tell anyone at home about it. Time went by and I wondered where the scholarship went. 

After some time, my teacher announced that I would have to go for the school interview which was my second round. And I did so gladly, I went for the interview, which was held at my school (St Monica's Girls basic school). A catholic all Girls school in Matero. After the interviews, I went home again and didn't tell anyone about it. Time went by,  then my teacher told me that I had qualified for the next rounds which were exams. Three of us from my school had qualified for the next round. I then went and wrote exams at Chalo Trust School. Looking at all the students around, how confidently they spoke, I wondered if I was going to be one of the selected students for the next rounds. By this time, my aunt knew about the possibility of a scholarship and she supported me through it all. I waited for some time again until KF called and informed me that I had qualified for the next round, which was going to be home interviews. I waited in anticipation of how the home interviews would go. 

Until the day finally came and Mr Mukena and Mama Nkowane came home. They interviewed my aunt and I and looked at our humble home. They then told us that they would get back to us. We continued to wait for the day when the  call would come. Until one day, a day on which we had a funeral for my uncle, Mr Mukena called my aunt and said his first favourite line “ This is Mr Mukena from Kucetekela Foundation, I am calling to tell you that Cararise Lubamba has been picked to be a Kucetekela foundation scholar”. These words were the game changer for me. In them was the promise of a new beginning and a life filled with hope, experience, academic excellence and endless opportunities. My aunt took me aside and said the words that Mr Mukena had just said. I smiled on that day like never before but we couldn't go in full excitement as we had a funeral and a lot of people around us. 

This was a miracle, a sign and wonder of what God had in store for me. That me, who didn't even understand what scholarships meant, would receive a KF scholarship. Days after that, I continued to wonder how different my life would be and which school I was to go to until Mr Mukena called again and said, I was going to go to Chalo Trust to get my uniforms and so I did.

 

On January 4th 2014, I went to Chalo Trust Christian boarding school. A school before then I had known from their school anthem. I heard it on ZNBC TV,  (Sambilisha bana Chalo, Punzitsa Ana indiye Ziko. Arise Chalo, arise in Jesus name). I would have never dreamed of ever going to such a renowned school, rooted in values of commitment, dedication and excellency. There I was in the Blue skirt, blue white socks and shirt, blue jersey and a blue blazer. I was extremely grateful. My aunt and my entire family were so happy and amazed at what had happened in my life. So I looked forward to my journey ahead as a Kucetekela foundation scholar. I will forever identify as a KF student, as it is the foundation that bridged me and my future self.

If its your first time here welcome to Space of thoughts, I hope we learn from each other and grow together. For those who have been here before, its such a pleasure to have you again.

Please do reach out to me in the comments or write to me directly using the email lcararise@gmail.com