Catherine was referred to us by an educational charity in Kampala following the death of her grandmother, who had previously been supporting her. Having done well in her A levels, Catherine is now studying for a BSc in Environmental Health Science at Makerere. She recently wrote to tell us that: "I have really enjoyed the first year of the course. In particular, I enjoyed the courses I took in Public Health, Principles of Soil Science, Population and Demography, and Environmental Chemistry". Catherine hopes to become a plant scientist when she finishes her degree course.

Makerere University in Kampala is the oldest and most prestigious university in Uganda. Founded as a technical school by the British colonial government in 1922, it became a full University College in 1949. Its website can be viewed, here. After a period of decline during the Amin regime, it re-emerged during the 1990s as one of the most highly regarded institutions of higher education in Africa. Tuition fees at Makerere - between £200 and £500 per term, depending on the course - are today payable by all students except a very few who receive top grades in their A levels, and so qualify for public scholarships. Most students also incur maintenance costs of around £250 per term. Solomon's Children aims to help those students, like Catherine, who have done very well in their A levels, but who have not achieved the grades necessary for government sponsorship.