‘My time in the UK as an international student has been a process of self-discovery’, says Cleo.

Cleopatra Mukula, who has graduated with BSc in Health Care Law and Ethics and was accepted for a MSc course in Documentary Practice at Brunel, was one of the only 12 students in the UK to gain a top honour in the International Student awards run by the British Council.

There were more than 2,300 participants representing 145 nationalities in the competition, which involved writing a letter home. Cleo made a film about people suffering from HIV and AIDS in her home village of Nyakach, near Kisumu, during her vacation. Now her story has been featured in the British Council magazine for international students and in an issue of ELLEgirl.

The aim of the Award is to recognise overseas students who have achieved personal ambitions, learnt new skills or made an important contribution to their institution or community since coming to the UK.

With that film Cleo wants to tour the universities and colleges in the UK to raise awareness.

‘By 2002 I had lost quite a few relatives to the virus and was constantly journeying home for funerals. On each return, a face was missing from the family portrait. This reality stung and affected me more than I actually thought. Nobody wants to loose a loved one. No child wants a lonely future. Instead of suffering in silence, I opted for a camera, saved some money and travelled to Kenya to document on film our everyday life in my village’.

Cleopatra has recently been awarded a Brunel University International Ambassadorial Scholarship to cover the cost of her MSc programme.