The Story of God’s Hand School
A small school with a big heart and in need of help to survive!
God’s Hand School is a small grassroots school for orphans and vulnerable children of the Kangoma Village - a small village located in Kisoro, southwestern Uganda.
The school, founded by Andrew and Joan Iradakunda, started in November 2022 as an initiative by the couple to help four children who had recently lost their father and left desolate.
Meet Bernad, Subiza, Specious, and Muhumuza.
Their father worked to provide for his family by loading cargo onto trucks. Sadly, a tragic accident at work, where one of the cargo crates fell on his chest, left him unconscious and subsequently lead to his eventual passing. The children were left with nothing – no means for food or to continue attending school, and no hope for any future. Andrew and Joan extended their help and arranged tutoring for the children and provided them with meals.
Four children became six, which soon became eight and today comprises 55 children from the ages of 5 – 13 years. The school grew organically as word of mouth spread in the village. With the growing numbers, Andrew found a new space, which consisted of 6 small rooms and a thatch kitchen with a coal stove. They now have four classes named Baby Class, Top Class, Middle Class and Primary One, each with a teacher who is responsible for creating a curriculum for the children. The school also provides the children with a meal and a safe place where they can just be children.
To date, the school has survived on Andrew’s income and the generosity of a few donors. However, the donations barely meet the basic monthly expenses of rent and food. They survive day to day with no guarantee that they will be able to afford to stay open the next month.
Witnessing hope during our unforgettable visit to the school
We had the privilege of visiting God's Hand School in August 2024, and it left an indelible mark on our hearts. As we walked through the school's gates, we were met with a sea of smiling faces, despite the overwhelming challenges the children face. The children were packed tightly onto benches, with barely enough room to write, and the lack of resources was evident everywhere we looked. No playground, no toys, not even a single soccer ball to bring joy to their young lives. The stationery consisted of just a book and pencil, and the office was a small room with papers stacked haphazardly, no desk or chair, and no computer in sight. The kitchen was a simple brick stove, and the store room had no shelving, leaving bags of rice and vegetables scattered on the floor. But what struck me most was the resilience and joy that radiated from these incredible children. They sang, danced, and smiled, their faces lighting up with hope. The dedication of the four teachers was truly admirable, and the work that Andrew and Joane have done with so little is nothing short of inspirational. It's a poignant reminder that even in the darkest of circumstances, there is always hope, and that these vulnerable children deserve love, support, and care.
Despite their joy and resilience, these precious children still lack the most basic necessities for a healthy and happy life. They need access to clean drinking water, proper sanitation, nutritious food, a safe space to play and simply be children, clean clothes, essential medical care like vaccines and medication, and a warm place to sleep. It's heartbreaking to acknowledge that while some children, like ours, are born into a life of abundance and opportunity, others are forced to struggle for survival, losing their families and fighting for every scrap of food, every drop of water, and every chance at education.
Andrew and his son, David
How you can help?
We are raising funds to help God’s Hand School to access the basic necessities they need, and we invite you to join us in this effort. Every donation, no matter how small, brings us closer to providing these children with the essentials for a healthy and happy life. Your contribution can help bring clean water, nutritious food, and warm clothing to those who need it most.
If you are interested in sponsoring a specific item, please make sure to specify the item and we will ensure that your money is contributed to those items. Please donate whatever you can. Just $5.85 buys a child a meal. And $9.70 buys them a pair of shoes - even a small donation goes a long way.
Immediate Monthly Needs
Rent $100
Utilities $60
Food $350
($5.85 a day/ per child for two meals)
Drinking Water $200
Staff salary $800
(4 teachers, 1 school administrator, 1 cook)
Toiletries $60
School supplies $35
Firewood $18
Total $1,623/month
Other Essential Needs
Drinking Water System $300
Children’s Desks $122
Teacher’s Desks and Chairs $115
Office Furniture $125
Office Computer $800
Sleeping mats (x 56) $85
Playground Equipment $140
(balls, jump ropes, racquets, nets, games)
Girls Uniforms $478
(33 Kids @14.50/each)
Boys Uniforms $268
(23 Kids @11.65/each)
Shoes $545
(53 Kids @9.70/each)
Socks $80
(53 Kids @1.50/2 pairs)
Total $3059
Thank you for contributing to these vulnerable children’s futures.
