God’s Gift Primary School, in the Bugisu region of Eastern Uganda, caters for orphans, whose parents have died from AIDS, and vulnerable children. In both cases, the pupils are dependent upon the financial support of the church community, who pay for school fees and materials, and medical care.

In February 2008, the school consisted of 68 children in three classes. Now in 2010, there are 164 pupils in five classes, of which 100 are orphans. Executive Director Titus Wambette is worried that the Namaitsu village community will be unable to support any more beneficiaries. Already 15 of the teachers are volunteers, receiving a tiny allowance, and staff are trying to find external funding for the construction of school shelters.

As well as offering traditional subjects, such as Religious Education, and creative subjects, such as Music, Dance and Drama, the school specialises in teaching students technical skills as a means to earning a future living. Many of the farming communities in and around Bukima parish in the Bududa Sub County of Bududa District use methods that have been passed down through generations, but the school is keen to give students a knowledge of new and more effective systems. As well as teaching agriculture, the school also offers studies in Environment Protection and Poverty Reduction. The school also plans to train members of the community to set up and run income-generating activities and small businesses.

The school, whose objective is to foster good morals based on Christian principles, also promotes health education. As well as teaching HIV and Aids awareness in class, staff plan to facilitate counselling in the local villages and support families affected by the virus.