It has been five years since Operation International first bought a small compound in Rakai, Uganda and relocated more than 100 children evicted from a school and orphanage in need of a new home.

The compound would soon become Jack Van de Wetering School and Orphanage, which officially opened under the patronage of longtime board member Jack Van de Wetering in 2021. Its goal, as with all of OI’s humanitarian efforts, was to reach beyond the walls of the hospital and directly into the community, combatting the cycle of poverty at its roots.

Five years later, the school continues to provide for the immediate needs of hundreds of children, many of them orphans, and has expanded with new classrooms, washrooms, dorms, a water well, solar panels and kitchen.

For each of these children, the chance to learn and live in a clean, productive environment is the chance to build a better future and, in many cases, pursue career dreams that otherwise would not be possible. Read below to meet a few of the children whose lives have been changed by this impactful institution.

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Primary Students:

Nasunjje Catherine is 9 years old and is in the fourth level of Jack Van de Wetering’s primary school. She has been at the school for three years and six months and dreams of becoming a teacher in the future. Nasunjje says she “would have been a house girl” had it not been for the opportunity to learn at Operation International.

“I would like to thank Operation International for computers and desks,” she says.

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Nangonzi Joan is 9 years old and is also in the fourth level of Jack Van de Wetering’s primary school. She has been at the school for three and a half years and dreams of becoming a nurse in the future. When asked what she would be doing if not at Jack Van de Wetering school, Nangonzi says “I would be wearing torn clothing.” Nangonzi says she especially excited by the new buildings and new washrooms provided by Operation International.

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Nakibuuka Immaculate is a 12 year old student in the seventh level of Jack Van de Wetering’s primary school. She transferred to Jack Van de Wetering school from another local school in order to get a “better standard of education.” Nakibuuka particularly likes the “good teachers and good computer skills” that she found at Jack Van de Wetering School and hopes to one day be a doctor. Nakibuuka says that if it weren’t for the opportunity to pursue her education at Jack Van de Wetering School, she would be “carrying a baby.”

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Babirye Perpetua Nanyon is a 12 year old student in the seventh level of Jack Van de Wetering’s primary school. She has been at Jack Van de Wetering School for two months after transferring from another local school. Babirye says she particularly enjoys the food and reading time that is offered at Jack Van de Wetering School.

“I would like to thank Operation International for building for us good schools, donating computers, and building good toilets,” she says.

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Secondary School:

Just recently, Operation International was able to sponsor the further education of students who successfully passed their primary exams to go to secondary school.

Without the $10,000 in support from OI, the students would not have been able to attend secondary school and likely would have been married instead.

“We thank all our partners for the great work they have done to help rescue these students and pay for their school fees and scholastic materials,” said school director Charles Mwebaze.