My name is Akello Miriam Atoro. I am an educator, advocate, writer and poet. I am a woman of faith and a proud Ugandan-Brit (aka British), born at Lacor Hospital in Gulu district. I attended kindergarten at Holy Rosary nursery school, Gulu primary and Gulu Public schools. I also attended Aboke St. Mary’s College in Apac district. I continued with further education in London, England and Toronto, Ontario, Canada.Like many people who lived in the region of northern Uganda at that time, I fled into exile to the United Kingdom and resided in London, for many years. Over the last few years, I lived in Toronto, Ontario in Canada. Even though I physically removed myself from my motherland during those turbulent periods, the love for my people and country stayed in my heart, mind and soul. I always took the tmie to keep up to date about events that were dear to me.
Being back in Uganda is bittersweet because many of the people I grew up with have passed away. Whenever I come across friends or family members there are always tears of joy and happiness that we are together once again. At times we seem like strangers because of our different paths, life experiences and the many years of separation from one another. Now I am back in Uganda, there will be a lot of adjustments to be made to cement those gaps.
I often think about the 139 Aboke girls who were abducted, some of whom I knew personally, and others who were friendly and familiar faces. At times my mind wonders “What would have become of me?” if I had been around at the time. I will always treasure the love and care, leadership with stewardship my great mentors, the Verona sisters namely, Sister Alba (RIP) and Sister Rachelle. I want to contribute purposefully here and now, and my heart beams with joy that I can make a difference in the lives of children and families who are vulnerable or who have experienced disadvantage. I want to have a positive impact on my community so they can look forward to a better future.
If I were asked “What is the key to your achievements and self-empowerment?” I would say that being literate has been an important factor in shaping my life experiences. I have enjoyed the many opportunities and benefits of being a literate woman. Literacy for a woman in this day and age of technology, is very liberating indeed! Would I want this for every young girl or woman? Absolutely!
I owe my successes to my mother and maternal grandmother who believed in the ‘girl child education’. I have enjoyed the fruits of education in all walks of my life. I continue this tradition and have encouraged and supported my two daughters who are now young adults and have access to the opportunities offered by having an education. I will continue to advocate for Literacy for all, at any given opportunity.
I am among the very few fortunate people from a developing country, such as Uganda to have extensive valuable experiences about life in the developed countries. I am well equipped with knowledge and skills that can make a difference to others. I have enjoyed working with children and families for private, public sector and non-governmental organisations. I have always enjoyed working with people, but especially with people who have children or dependents. I feel my purpose in life is to enable people to access knowledge, develop skills and to build their aspirations, so they can improve their quality of life and make a positive contribution to their neighbourhood and wider society.
I had the opportunity to access education, to build a career and have amazing experiences working in the diaspora. I have now returned home to give back to the communities that helped to raise me! By the grace of God, I look forward to opening a Montessori school in the Gulu district by 2017. With your help and the help of my community, I will continue to do my utmost to improve literacy among children and adults, by delivering the best educational experience for the families who work with Gulu Montessori School. My vision is to “Empower communities through literacy”.
Gulu Montessori School 