Hands of Love Orphanage and School

Ms Sylvia Kyabita

Sylvia Kyabita is the Head Mistress at Hands of Love. She is also the main caretaker and the secretary for the management committee.

Sylvia lives at Hands of Love Orphanage. Despite coming from a large poverty stricken family (she is the 9th born among 14 children), Sylvia managed to get a good education, including a degree in art.

Sylvia is 27 years old, not married and does not have any children. Sylvia struggles to support herself, her aged mother and extended family.

Sylvia desires to get training in children's education and also in public administration.

Sylvia is now sponsored 15 pounds a month

Pastors Elijah and Ruth Sebuchu

Elijah and Ruth sebuchu are the founders and directors of Global Discipleship Ministries based in Kampala, Uganda (East Africa).

The Hands of Love Orphanage and School is part of GDM and Elijah and Ruth oversee the work the work there in a very 'hands on' manner.

Ruth and Elijah provide counselling for the children, support the dedicated volunteer staff, teach AIDS awareness and try to muster support and provision for all aspects of life at the orphanage.

Elijah and Ruth are in their mid thirties and have six children. They live in Kampala city. They are unwaged, except for the small donations they sometimes receive from the church collections.

If you would like to contact Elijah and Ruth, or see the work they do in Uganda, please see the contacts page for their details.

* Photo : The Sebuchu family with guests from the UK, May 2007

Mary Nangobi

Mary Nangobi is the main cook at Hands of Love. She comes from a very poor background, 3rd born among 20 children. She received primary school education, but has 16 years experience as a cook for various factories despite having no formal training.

Mary lives at Hands of Love, she is divorced and in her 50's. She has 5 orphans in her car, left behind by her late brother. Mary is completely unwaged.

Loyce Tusiimirwe

Loyce Tusiimirwe is the headmistress of the infant and nursery section of Hands of Love school. She is also a "housemother" at the orphanage.

Loyce is not married, she is 23 years old and has no children.

She comes from a very poor background (9th child born among 10 children). Despite her family poverty, Loyce got a good education, including a diploma in nursery teaching.

She lives at hands of Love and is completely unwaged. She finds it very hard to support herself and her elderly parents.

Loyce would love to have the opportunity to get some training as a nurse, so that she can also fill the role of resident nurse for the children at Hands of Love.

Samuel Ochudang

Samuel Ochudang is a classroom teacher and assists in the children's general welfare at Hands of Love.

He comes from a very poor family, he is the last born of six children. He managed to get a good education.

Samuel is single, aged 26 and has no children. He lives at Hands of Love and is completely unwaged.

Samuel would love to get some formal training as a teacher and also in children's welfare rights.

Zainabu Nawanga

Zainabu Nawanga is the main teacher for Primary Two. She is the person appointed to help the sponsored children when corresponding with their overseas sponsors. She is also the leader of music, dance and drama at Hands of Love.

Zainabu comes from a poor family (5th born of 16 children), but has managed to get a good education - including two years training, where she acquired a certificate in primary education.

Zainabu, or 'teacher Zaina', is single, 22 years old and has no children. She lives at Hands of Love and is completely unwaged.

She would love to have the opportunity to get further educational training (Diploma in Primary Education) and also to be trained in children's trauma, sexual abuse and bereavement counselling. Then she can become a resident children's counsellor at Hands of Love.

Godfrey Kivugwa

Godfrey Kivugwa is the main teacher for Primary Three. He comes from a poor family (1st born among 8 children), but despite this, he received a good education. He has two years training in Education and received a certificate in Primary Education.

Godfrey is 24 years old and married with one child. Godfrey and his young family live at Hands of Love and cares for 3 other dependants. He is completely unwaged.

He would love to have the chance to get further teacher training (Diploma in Primary Education).

Mercy Beatrice Mudondo

Mercy Mudondo is the main teacher for Primary One. She is also responsible for the childrens meal times.

Mercy's family are very poor, but she managed to gain a good education. Mercy is 23 years old, single and has no children.

She lives at the orphanage and she would love the chance to get formal training and gain a degree in Education.

Mercy also longs to be trained in Childrens trauma, sexual abuse and bereavement counselling, so that she can be a resident childrens counsellor at Hands of Love.

Mercy now receives a 15 pound wage through sponsorship.

Ramadhan Isabirye

Ramadhan is the main teacher for Primary Six. He is the second deputy Head teacher. He has particular responsibility for the organisation and welfare of the children within the orphanage and school premises. He also oversees construction materials.

Ramadhan is 28 years old and single with no children. He comes from a very poor family, he was the 3rd born among 12 children, and is now living at Hands of Love without a wage. He is struggling to support his elderly father.

His education was a success and he eventually acquired a Diploma in Education.

Ramadhan would love the chance to further his studies to gain a bachelor of Arts degree in Education.

Catherine Athieno

Catherine Athieno is the deputy Head teacher and main teacher for Primary Four. She is also in charge of all construction work carried out at Hands of Love.

Catherine, 3rd born among nine children, comes from a background of poverty. She managed to well in her education, including 2 years teacher training.

Catherine is 22 years old, single and has no children. She is resident at the orphanage and school, but receives no wages.

She would love to get further teacher training to achieve a diploma and degree in Education and also a Diploma in Public Administration.

Pastor Livingstone Sserugi

Pastor Livingstone Sserugi is the Pastor of Namadhi International Christian Centre, which is part of the Hands of Love premises, he is also the chaplain for Hands of Love Orphanage and School.

He is now also the manager of the new Hands of Love Goat Farm as he has previous experience in goat rearing.

Pastor Livingstone comes from a poor background, both parents are deceased. He is 48 years old, married and has 7 children (he has also lost 4 children). He is also a grandfather of 6.

He lives with his very large, but very poor, family in a 'make-shift' home behind the orphanage.

Pastor Livingstone has received 15 pounds a month sponsorship to help provide for his families needs and has been provided with a bicycle to assist him in many aspects of his various roles in the local community.