Amony Scovia     
                          

Amony Scovia is always laughing. With exuberance and delight she loves her family and friends. When she sees you walking through town she gallops to meet you, and with her enthusiasm, you brace yourself and plant your feet, knowing her embrace could send you flying. The “head girl” for the dance troupe, her bright smile can turn to a serious grimace as she directs the 20 other girls in the Dingi Dingi. With whistle in mouth she prances around, instructing the girls with strong leadership 

 

But, Amony's face turns serious when she speaks of her family. Her father died of malaria and her brother murdered by the LRA, leaving she and her younger sister in the care of her mother. Her mother sells vegetables, and occasionally fish, in the market which affords this small family shelter and food, but barely covers the cost of the girl's primary school fees.

 

In the fall of 2008 we learned that Amony would not be joining her friends in seconday school in the following year. Instead, this bright young woman, would work at her mother's side in order to provide school fees for her younger sister. Amony spoke of her desire to continue school and to fight the temptation to marry young as many Acholi girls in her situation do.

 

 Because of a Firelight Project sponsorship Amony is currently in her first year of secondary school where she studies hard and her greatest joy is to keep dancing.