Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei shared an inspiring message with the youth of his homeland after clinching a gold medal in the 10,000-meter race at the Paris Olympics on August 2.
To the young viewers in Uganda, the 27-year-old champion said: “You can achieve it; believe in yourself because when you don’t believe in yourself, you can’t make it in life.”
This unwavering belief in himself has propelled Cheptegei’s remarkable career. Born under an avocado tree in the village of Cheptendan, he was one of nine children. His parents, with their modest earnings—his father a teacher and his mother a peasant farmer—ensured he received an education.
In school, his talent for running was recognized. Like many young athletes in Uganda, Cheptegei could only afford to train at a government facility, which in his case was the Uganda Police Athletics Club in Kapchorwa.
The private sector also played a crucial role in his journey. Jurrie van der Velden from the Netherlands, who co-founded the Global Sports Communication company, spotted Cheptegei and provided him with world-class coaching and training facilities. This support has been instrumental in guiding and managing his running career.
Cheptegei has since won numerous international medals and currently holds the world record for the 10,000-meter competition. He also set a new Olympic record last week with a time of 26:43.14.
However, Cheptegei emphasizes that education was key to getting the attention and support he needed to reach these heights. Unfortunately, in Uganda, 70% of children drop out before completing primary school.
The prohibitive costs associated with education in Uganda create significant barriers, leading to high dropout rates and wasted potential. Each year, families must cover expenses for uniforms, meals, scholastic materials, and exam fees, which can range from $30 to $100 per semester for primary schools and $150 to $300 for secondary schools, depending on the region. Private education costs are even higher.
This underscores the urgent need for increased investment in education to cultivate diverse talents and shape future leaders across all sectors.
A World Bank report last year highlighted the financial strain Ugandan families face, noting that “more than 60 percent of adults in Uganda are very worried about school fees; for 40 percent of adults, school fees are the biggest source of financial worry.”
When compared to other East African countries, Uganda lags behind in education spending. In 2021, Uganda allocated 11.3% of its national budget to education, while Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania each spent between 17-20%.
My Story: A Journey Fueled by Determination and a Sweet Potato
As someone who has experienced the transformative power of education, I know firsthand that it can be a path out of poverty—exactly what Joshua Cheptegei means when he says children need it to “make it in life.”
By the age of 10, I had lost my mother to cancer and my father to HIV/AIDS. My grandmother stepped in to care for me and my older brother, who had dropped out of school to support our family.
With the support of my grandmother and a dedicated teacher, I remained committed to my education despite the challenges. Each morning, I ran over 8 miles to school, fueled only by a cup of milk and a sweet potato for breakfast.
I graduated at the top of my class in primary school, but my grandmother couldn’t afford the fees for secondary school. A stranger from her church suggested I seek a scholarship from the president of Uganda.
After traveling 300 miles by bus and camping outside the president’s residence, I was eventually granted a scholarship by the First Lady, changing the course of my life. In high school, I wore shoes consistently for the first time and debated with the children of politicians and business leaders, despite my rural background.
It was only by a stroke of luck that I got my chance and achieved my dream of becoming an educator. This experience makes it clear: if we want our students to succeed, we must prioritize and increase our investments in education—from the government, philanthropy, and civil society—to ensure every child has a fair chance to achieve their dreams.
A few years ago, I met Sharon, the daughter of a single mother. Sharon sold bananas on the streets of Luwero, central Uganda, during school breaks to help pay for school and household expenses.
Despite the challenges, Sharon completed her primary education at the top of her class and is now in secondary school. “I am determined,” she told me, “to become the first female doctor in my county.” That’s a goal worthy of a gold medal. And it’s a goal that Uganda, along with its philanthropic and private sector partners, should support.
