‘WITHOUT THAT SCHOLARSHIP, I WOULDN’T BE HERE’

Joel Mutasa is a 22-year-old Motor Vehicle Technology student at Prime Vocational Institute in Iganga, Uganda. He is attending school thanks to a scholarship from Gered Gereedschap. A perfect reason to ask him a few questions!

Joel, can you start by introducing yourself and telling us a bit about your background?

“Of course! My name is Joel Mutasa, I am 22 years old, and I am studying Motor Vehicle Technology at PVI. I come from a family of six children, and we’ve had a tough time. My parents separated, and my siblings and I were raised by other family members. Due to the financial situation in our family, I couldn’t continue my studies after obtaining my national certificate in 2019.”

That sounds like a challenging situation. What did you do next?

“After finishing my exams, I started working various odd jobs to earn some money. It wasn’t enough to fund my education, but it helped me attend PVI and pursue a course in Automotive Technology. During my time here, I often had to pause my studies to earn money for school fees, which made it very difficult to stay in school.”

How has the scholarship changed your situation?

“The scholarship from Gered Gereedschap, the EQUIP scholarship, has been a real blessing for me. Thanks to this support, I can now fully focus on my studies without worrying about finding money for school. It has helped me immensely in pursuing my dream without having to stop my education.”

What skills have you developed in your course so far?

“Although I haven’t finished my course yet, I have already learned a lot. I’ve gained knowledge and skills that enable me to carry out important repairs, such as vehicle maintenance. The tools provided by Gered Gereedschap have made learning and developing practical skills much easier and more effective.”

How do you see your future as a mechanic?

“Thanks to the scholarship and the tools, I feel much better prepared for a career as a mechanic. I truly see myself achieving my dream. If I hadn’t received that scholarship, I wouldn’t be here today. The support has changed my life.”