In no other country in the world were schools closed for such a long period during Covid-19 as in Uganda (NZZ, January 2022). The 660 days without schooling have left deep marks on a country with a very low average age compared to the global average (16 years). It is estimated that between one and two million pupils did not return to the classroom when schools reopened (New York Times, January 2022). The related consequences are expected to have a significant impact on Ugandan society.
History of origin
The local leadership of God Helps Uganda (GHU) decided to establish a provisional, internal school operation in response to the school closures caused by Covid-19. This allowed the children to continue their academic development unabated and make the most of the lockdown period. The results of the national examinations after the official reopening of schools clearly confirmed the very positive progress of the children at GHU. Based on these positive results, God Helps Uganda has decided to definitely run a kindergarden and a primary school and to also open them to children from the surrounding area. They will provide space for 200 children.
Construction progress
With the completion of the first school building and the toilet facilities in January 2025, the first phase of construction was successfully concluded. A particular highlight was the involvement of four former GHU children, who contributed significantly to the success of the project through their work as construction workers.
In time for the start of the new school year, the teaching staff was able to welcome pupils from Year 4 to Year 7 into the newly built premises. Following a detailed planning process, we aim to commence the second phase around mid-2025, which will include the construction of a kindergarten and an additional school block.
A Story of Hope: Sheevon and Gideon
The siblings Sheevon and Gideon were on the verge of having to leave their school after their family was struck by great hardship. In the spring of 2023, their father, the head of the family, was involved in a terrible accident which left him paralysed and helpless. As a result, he was no longer able to provide for the family’s needs. The responsibility now fell to the mother. However, she had neither a job nor the time, as she spent most of her days in hospital caring for her husband. The situation for the children grew increasingly difficult.
Eventually, they were taken to live with their grandmother, who lives just one kilometre from the God Helps Uganda Primary School. While Sheevon was helping her grandmother sell charcoal on the street, this caught the attention of GHU headteacher Fredrick Elem, as the charcoal was being sold in the middle of the day during school hours. Fredrick enquired about the reason and thus learned of the siblings’ tragic story. GHU decided to provide both children with a scholarship and enrol them at the GHU Primary School.
At first, both were very shy and reserved. However, this has now changed. Both have blossomed, becoming open and active. Sheevon is now one of the most talented girls in the primary school. She is cheerful, enjoys learning, and dreams of a hopeful future. The opening of the GHU school to children from the neighbourhood has proved to be a blessing for Sheevon and her brother Gideon.
