VIOLET ALIMWENDA

Violet was born in Uganda and holds a Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Community Health and a Bachelor's in Medical Education from Makerere University. After University she began teaching at the Jinja School of Ophthalmic Clinical Officers and the Indian Institute of Health and Allied Sciences in Kampala as a Medical Health Tutor.

“My mentor helps me to visualise my future”

Q: Tell us a few things about you! Your background, your childhood and early beginnings!

I am Violet from Kampala,,Uganda. I was born in Jinja, Eastern Uganda. As a young child, I was very much interested in reading and studying. I attended church. I loved singing and dancing. I loved reading books and playing with my siblings. I used to help my mother in doing household chores. I studied and finished school in 2016 with a Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Community Health. I am a passionate Clinical Officer who used to take care of my patients. Because I was a bright girl I decided to go back to school and do a Bachelor's in Medical Education. This has enabled me to teach Clinical Officers. I love teaching and am passionate about bringing about change to this generation.

Q: What are some of the key challenges in your society currently?

We have a high rate of school drop outs among teenagers. High cost of living hence lots of poverty and a high number of youths who don’t want to work.

Q: Share with us some of the hurdles that you had to overcome in your life so far? How did you handle them?

Poverty. I grew up with a single mother who faced a lot of hardship in paying our school fees. I have overcome this by working extremely hard so that I could help my siblings.

Q: Why is the role of a mentor important for you?

My mentor helps me to visualise my future. She acts as a guide in making my world a better place.

Q: Do you have a lesson that life has taught you and you would like to share?  

Life has taught me to be a “go-getter”.

Opportunities only come to those who are ready and able to embrace change. I have achieved a lot because I was able to go outside the box.

Q: Name a project, a foundation or a person in your country that you think is doing great work in helping improve other people's lives! 

Immaculate Nantongo, the founder of My Fabulous Home. She has helped a lot of women in my country to own homes through monthly savings.

Q: What are some of the challenges that women in your country face and what efforts are being made towards gender equality?

Most women in this country are single mothers. The men have neglected their roles hence women are struggling to raise their children. Many NGOs have been set up to provide support to these mothers.

Q: Share with us a motto you live by.

Life should be lived happily regardless of the circumstances we go through.

Q: If you had all the money needed to launch the project of your dreams, can you describe what you would do?

I would set up an organisation to offer life skills to women in poor communities.

Q: Anything else that you may wish to add? 

I am grateful for this mentorship course. May God bless the founders.