Hope, Heal, Learn & Grow
Welcome to our school, where we believe in the power of education and compassion. We are dedicated to providing every child in our community, especially those affected by poverty and war, with the supportive learning they need to thrive. At St. Christina Orthodox Christian Nursery & Primary School, in Northern Uganda, our journey began with modest origins. Despite these humble beginnings, we are deeply committed to cultivating a nurturing environment where children are empowered to thrive both academically and socially. We recognize the challenges many of our students face, particularly those recovering from the impacts of war, and we strive to provide them with the support they need to heal and grow.
Our dedication goes beyond the classroom, as we are equally focused on meeting the broader needs of our community in Northern Uganda. Through our efforts, we aim to foster a sense of belonging, resilience, and hope among the children we serve, ensuring that each child has the opportunity to realize their full potential within a caring and supportive school and in the broader community.
The School We Would Like To Build
Priest & Children at Church
Parents and Students
Building the School
A Happy Graduation Day
The Girls Dormitory Being Built
Student and Mother
Building the Toilets
Lessons Outdoors
Our Initiatives
Making a Difference
Northern Uganda struggles with poverty and the lingering effects of armed conflict, which destroyed assets and property. Most residents rely on agriculture for income, but farmers have limited access to quality seeds, fertilizers, and modern equipment to boost yields
Our organization aims to enhance agricultural practices, support enterprise diversity such as beekeeping, encourage solar power use, and boost students' future economic prospects. Main food crops include maize, beans, sweet potatoes, cassava, and plantain; cash crops are coffee, cotton, sunflower oil seed, with additional activities in fruit processing, honey, textiles, fish, dairy, and fish farming in local lakes.
Education
Empower Through Learning
We believe in the power of education and compassion. We are dedicated to providing every child in our community, especially those affected by poverty and loss, with the supportive learning they need to thrive. Together, we can help them overcome challenges and build a brighter future. Join us in making a difference in their lives.
Support
Community Engagement
In our village, the challenges faced by our residents mirror those of our school children. Our mission is to connect with local families to create robust support systems that empower to rise out of poverty. By assisting them in rebuilding their farms and providing resources for livestock like chickens and goats, and dairy cows we aim to help them achieve self-sufficiency and a future. Together, we can foster resilience and hope within our community.
Healthcare
Health Promotion
At our organization, we believe that every child deserves access to fundamental necessities like nutritious food, clean water, and a healthy environment to thrive. Unfortunately, many of our students lack basic healthcare services, this is why we are committed to providing health checks for every child. Our goal is to ensure that all children can live healthier, happier lives, free from preventable health issues. Together, we can make a difference in their well-being and future.
Environment
Sustainable Practices
At our core, we believe in utilizing the resources that nature provides without waste. We take pride in crafting our own bricks and aspire to cultivate our own food in the near future. Every morsel of food is cherished, as we work towards a vision of self-sufficiency through sustainable farming and animal husbandry. Our commitment to honoring the environment is instilled in our and community, fostering a deep gratitude and appreciation for the natural world around us. Help us reach our goals with your generous support.
Feeding Body and Soul
The Feeding Program
“The Feeding Program” is vital to the initiative. By providing nutritious breakfasts and lunches, children can focus on school rather than hunger—a benefit not commonly offered in Ugandan schools.
A one hundred US dollar donation will feed a child at St. Christina School two meals a day for one year.
Teaching God's Word
While no child at the school or their prent is required to attend church services, many Orthodox and non-Orthodox attend services to hear the inspiring words of the Gospel. Fr. Kyrillos serves as the spiritual father to the community, embodying Chtist's love and compassion in every aspect of his life.
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We appreciate any donation you can give.
Meals Under the Tree
Currently, the students have their meals outdoors
in the African sun, as there is no available cafeteria facility or indroor room for meals. They dine seated on the grass. It is anticipated that, with your help, in the future, an indoor cafeteria will be provided for the students.
Every donation, big or small, will support building a kitchen and cafeteria to give children protection from the sun at mealtimes. The project costs approximately $5,000.
Bread of Life
While earthly food is temporary, the spiritual food Jesus provides is meant to be everlasting, satisfying the deepest longings of the human heart.
Your donation helps sustain the school's spiritual foundation and supports outreach through the Orthodox Church's teachings of kindness, love, and compassion.
Enjoying a Snack
Scripture teaches that eating and drinking are blessings to be enjoyed (Ecclesiastes 9:7; 1 Timothy 6:17), and presents God as the provider of all necessities like food and drink (Psalm 104:14-15; Psalm 145:15-16).T
The school needs a corn grinding mill which is $1,800 US Dollars in Uganda. Any contribution is appreciated large or small.
Missionary Efforts in Action
The Orthodox Church in Uganda is expanding, especially in the north, through community development projects in education, such as St. Christina Nursery and Primary School as well as healthcare, and agriculture. Efforts are also underway to translate religious texts into local languages.
A cow would feed the children for years. One cow in Uganda is $279 US Dollars. Any contribution is appreciated large or small.
Jesus Encouraged Learning
Jesus valued education and demonstrated deep understanding of scripture, astonishing temple teachers in his youth (Luke 2:52). He challenged the Pharisees for their lack of scriptural insight (John 5:39; Matthew 22:29) and encouraged others to learn from him, saying it is essential for spiritual peace. (Matthew 11:29).
The cost of building one dormitory in Uganda is $9,000 US Dollars. Any contribution is appreciated large or small.
Jesus Promoted Community
Jesus Himself promoted a sense of community: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35 ). Community is a place where believers actively perform acts of love and good works.
Your donation can help alleviate poverty and suffering to Orthodox people and others in this remote village in Uganda.
How the St. Christina USA Charity Began
St. Christina Orthodox Christian Primary School & Nursery Charity is a US 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2025 in the United States by three individuals dedicated to supporting the staff, and the 148 children of St. Christina Orthodox Christian Primary School & Nursery in Gulag, Uganda. The initiative began when a local resident expressed his aspiration to attend high school and, eventually, seminary, but lacked the financial means to do so. Upon his request, we contacted his priest, Fr. Kyrillos Okello, who provided a strong recommendation for this young man. Based on Fr. Kyrillos’ endorsement, we chose to sponsor one semester of high school for him, with Fr. Kyrillos overseeing the funds and facilitating his admission.
The tuition, including room and board, amounted to $179 USD per semester. This student has since excelled academically and is on track to graduate within a year. We continue to fund his high school education. Through ongoing communication with Fr. Kyrillos, we gained further insight into the needs of the school and the challenges faced by its students, especially the lack of basic resources such as food, shelter, classrooms, and toys. Moved by the circumstances of this war-torn community, we decided to formally establish a U.S.-based charity to support the school’s mission.
We encountered significant obstacles in transferring funds and sending packages or letters to this remote Ugandan village. However, our continued efforts have allowed us to establish a reliable method for delivering financial support directly to the school. With this infrastructure in place, the charity was officially founded to help fulfill the needs of the students and the broader school community.