Linah co-founded non-government organisation, the Pearl of Africa, to promote environmental conservation in Uganda. She’s now studying a Law degree at the University of Leeds and finds her knowledge of law helps her understand her charity and how the world works. We spoke to her about her experience, career plans and what’s next for the charity.
Law has given me a big milestone in my NGO
Can you tell us about your charity project?
I'm co-founder of an NGO. I partnered with my uncle when I was younger. This NGO teaches children about how to care for the environment. We teach children about the environment and the benefits of conserving the environment, collecting plastics around Uganda, making sure that we do not have non-biodegradable stuff. It's mainly educational-based. We started in 2010, I was really young, 13 years of age at that time, so I've learnt a lot through this NGO.
What are your career plans for the future?
I'm looking to become a lawyer. I'm very open-minded right now, which is normal for first-year students. You don't really know exactly what you want to do. You don't have a very vivid image of exactly the path that you want to follow. I'm inclined to go with environmental law since I have an NGO, which deals with environmental conservation, which is important to me.
I understand exactly how the world works
How has studying Law helped you with your charity?
Law has already given me a big milestone in my NGO. I feel like I understand exactly how the world works. At the International Study Centre, when I studied International Relations, I got to understand how the organisations work. I got a brief idea of how the UN works and other organisations. I think this is crucial to my NGO. When I went back for summer to Uganda, I saw things in a completely different light. Now I could understand the paperwork.
Why did you choose the International Study Centre?
The International Study Centre did so much for me in my legal career. My legal career is going to help me in my NGO.
I have an older brother who studied at Leeds International Study Centre, and I have two friends that went to Leeds International Study Centre. I really wanted to come to the UK to do law but since I did the Uganda curriculum, it was a bit complicated. So, a very good stepping stone was doing the International Foundation Year. I applied and I got a place.
I wouldn't have got to Leeds University without the International Study Centre. It was a good stepping stone for me.
Linah studied the International Foundation Year in Business, Law and Social Studies and now studies LLB (Hons) Law at the University of Leeds. Find out more about routes to university with Leeds International Study Centre.