I am Toko Friday Santiago, the Volunteer Coordinator for the Palliative care Education and Research Consortium (PcERC) at Mulago Hospital, Uganda. 

I would like to thank Cairdeas Palliative Care Trust for giving me the opportunity to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Social work and Social Administration. Being able to excel with good grades without needing to do any retakes has been one of my greatest highlights and achievements since I began my studies. The course has been very interesting and encouraging to me in many ways. I have been able gain experience, improve my social work skills, and broaden my understanding and knowledge.

The course has also contributed to my development as a person through gaining analytical and practical skills and knowledge. This has helped me to make a difference in the lives of patients and their families at Mulago Hospital, especially those with life limiting illness.

Some of the challenges I have encountered include the expense of photocopying notes of all the lectures, and that transport keeps fluctuating during certain days especially during the rainy seasons.

However, since beginning my course I have built my confidence and assertiveness as a student leader in charge of the social work faculty. I also act as the Minister of Health within the Makere University Student Guild where I represent the students’ views and challenges and provide support during the class assessment presentations.

If you would like to support more scholarships like Ivan's, donate to our 2019 Christmas Appeal by visiting www.cairdeas.org.uk/get-involved/donate and selecting 'training scholarships' from the dropdown list.