Scholarship Spotlight: Olanya Michael

“I want to be an engineer when I grow up!” – 9-year-old Michael.

This dream comes from the lips of countless children in Uganda. Every child aspires to be someone successful—often, a doctor, lawyer, engineer, or pilot. But, how does one achieve such a dream when they are living in a country where 30% of the population lives below the poverty line, and over 4.7 million people are illiterate?

Faced with overwhelming challenges, many young dreams are often forgotten.

“From grass to grace is what I feel,” exclaimed Michael, using a common Ugandan expression. Grass indicates a place of nothing, but now, Michael feels he has something – an opportunity in life, by God’s grace. Michael is now pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in civil engineering at Ndejje University. 

Olanya Michael is among the first recipients of Hope Alive!’s University Scholarship Fund. Michael completed his diploma in civil engineering in 2022. As a child, he always dreamed of being an engineer, driven by a passion to construct and build houses. This dream could have remained a distant shadow if he hadn't seen the light of God through Hope Alive!

Michael became an orphan at the age of nine and was entrusted to the care of his struggling uncle. In Uganda, when a child loses one or both parents, a willing relative takes them in. Unfortunately, those willing to help oftentimes are barely able to feed their own families.

After losing his parents, Michael found himself in a familiar situation—living with a family member who sometimes went without food and basic necessities.

However, Michael's dream persisted. He prayed continuously for God to come to his aid. 

In 2006, Michael experienced the love of God when he was enrolled in Hope Alive! The joy he felt was indescribable. Today, he feels the same joy, happiness, and hope he did 17 years ago. Everything he never imagined achieving has been made possible.

“I am happy... I wasn’t expecting to be one of the students to receive a scholarship, but it’s by God’s grace.”

In addition to receiving financial support for college, Michael was also given a laptop to aid in his academic work.

Owning a laptop in Uganda is a luxury; few families can afford such equipment. Students often scramble for the limited laptops provided in school computer labs, competing with over 200 students.

Michael is fortunate to be among the few students who didn’t have to compete for access to a school laptop.

“The laptop is helping ease my school work. Without a personal laptop, it would be very hard to complete my assignments that require computer work. Having my personal laptop, I am able to complete and submit my work on time. There are also software programs that we need as civil engineers that we cannot access through the school laboratories.”

Today, Michael is on his way to becoming a civil engineer because someone like you cared and contributed to his education. Thank you; you are making a difference!

 If you’d like to help other exceptional Hope Alive graduates realize their dream of a university education, contribute to Hope Alive’s University Scholarship Fund. Here’s how you can donate a used laptop or smartphone to a Hope Alive student or staffer.