Freedom to Study, Freedom to make a Difference

Favour Ebohon, who in the coming year will be a joint Leathersellers’ and Jack Petchey Scholarship awardee, found that the grant enabled her to focus on her studies. “I’ve just completed the first year of my degree in Medicine at Keele University and finished with a grade I’m really proud of,” she says.

“The grant has meant I haven’t had to struggle financially. So many students have to work on top of studying to pay their bills, but I’ve been able to immerse myself in my studies. The grant has been invaluable and I’m super grateful for it.”

Abundance Chianumba, who’s studying Law and Criminology at the University of the West of England, also appreciates that the award has given her more time to study. “In my first year I had a lot of part-time jobs, working as a care assistant, as a support worker and helping people with disabilities,” she says. I enjoyed that work, but the Leathersellers’ grant has allowed me to focus more on my lectures in my second year, when my grades count more towards my degree.”

For Priscilla Mitange, whose family home is in London, the grant gave her the freedom to choose where and what to study.

“I really wanted to study Psychology with Clinical Psychology at the University of Kent,” she says. “It’s a niche course that combines the two disciplines, offering training in psychology as well as allowing you to explore the models used in clinical research and practice. Without the Leathersellers’ grant I wouldn’t have been able to afford to live and study in Kent. I’d have had to choose a different course in London and live at home. I’m so lucky that I didn’t have to sacrifice my passion for the sake of financial stability.”

The grant also enables Priscilla to travel home to London when necessary to help look after her mother, who has high blood pressure, and her seven-year-old brother, who has autism.

“I’ve been taking care of my brother since he was a little kid,” she says, “and I’ve seen the way he’s been mistreated just because he’s different. So often, children who are neurodivergent are bullied and isolated. It’s so unfair. Neurotypical people tend to look at people with autism and think, ‘They should be more like us.’  But people like my brother have such a pure, innocent, beautiful way of looking at the world.”

Priscilla is now inspired to take her studies in a direction that will help to create a society that is more tolerant and understanding of people like her brother.

“I want to discover where the stigma against people with neurodivergence comes from,” she says. “Why is it so deep-rooted, how does it affect people and how can we educate future generations to think differently?”

Her long-term goal is to conduct a study on stigma and its impact on people with learning disabilities or neurodivergence, and to write a book based on her findings.

“I want to help normalise neurodivergence and spread awareness,” she adds. “We need to be so much more progressive and accepting in our attitudes.”

Favour, who’s studying Medicine, sees her future career as a doctor as an extension of her family role as the eldest of five siblings. “I always enjoyed looking after my younger siblings as they were growing up,” she says. “Using my knowledge to help other people drew me to medicine. It’s a field where I can support people on a day-to-day basis, making a positive impact on their lives directly. I want to make a difference to the lives of pregnant women and unborn children. When I first started learning about obstetrics and gynaecology, I thought, ‘Wow, this is amazing.’ It’s the opportunity to bring a new life into the world.”

“Pregnancy is a time that can be stressful and full of challenges for people who are having children. It will be extraordinary to be able to use my expertise to support them at such an important time.”

Meanwhile, Abundance has a clear view of how she wants to use her Law and Criminology degree to benefit others.

“I want to help people who don’t have a voice. As a looked-after child, I’ve gone through the system and I know what that’s like,” she says.

“I went into Law because I wanted to work within Family Law in Social Services. As someone who’s been in care, I will be able to advocate for kids and help them get into better situations.”

Abundance currently has a placement with a firm of solicitors that offers Legal Aid. “A lot of our clients are vulnerable children and young adults, and many have had care experiences. Often, they’ve committed crimes because their support circle has broken down. It’s been really helpful understanding their situation, knowing exactly what they’re entitled to and helping them get the best possible outcome. In the future, I hope to continue to work with vulnerable people. They always need an extra voice in their corner.”

Natalia comments, “We’re delighted that Leathersellers’ Student Grants are helping to support the studies of these four incredible women. I’m amazed by the breadth and depth of their ambition to change the world for the better. They are all humble and inspiring in equal measure. I have absolute faith that they will not just realise their own potential, but will also help many others to be the best that they can be. We look forward to seeing what the next chapter holds for them.”