Twenty years ago, Karina “Keeky” Smith (then known as Karina Thomas) was a nurse working to meet the health needs of Ugandans living on Lingira Island in Lake Victoria. While health was her primary concern, Keeky came to realize health problems were connected to other challenges, such as poverty and a lack of education.

Most of all, she realized the boys and girls living on the island lacked hope.

Keeky resolved to give them hope.

In fact, she was the driving force behind Lingira Living Hope Secondary School, which opened its doors in February of 2006. Over the past 20 years, this school has changed the lives of hundreds of children from the island.

Many of these children have moved on to become doctors, nurses, journalists, police officers, soldiers, teachers, and many other professionals who are changing Uganda.

Keeky and her husband, Andy Smith, continue to support Lingira Living Hope Secondary School through their non-profit Shepherd’s Heart International Ministry (SHIM). SHIM does great work in other ways to improve the lives of Ugandans.

Today, Lingira Living Hope School operates under the steady leadership of its principal, Sam Okello, who has his own inspirational story. The new school year started last week, and Sam reported that there are 220 students enrolled.

While WE International sponsors some of the kids attending Lingira Living Hope Secondary School, we cannot really take any credit for the great accomplishments of this school and SHIM. Robert Wafula, who directs both SHIM’s operations in Uganda as well as serving as WE International’s director, wrote this:

From humble beginnings to where we are today, the Lord has been our foundation and our guide. Through every challenge, growth season, and breakthrough, God has faithfully carried this school. What began as a seed of faith has grown into a place of learning, character formation, and hope for generations.

As you most likely already know, we’re currently embarking on a campaign to build a new campus with facilities to increase our capacity, reach, and further our mission in eastern Uganda. If you’d like to donate directly to the campaign, you can click to donate below, and you’d like to make a designated gift to provide key supplies and materials necessary to operate our medical centre, you can do so below.

Any gift, small or large, will help WE International bring unconditional love, safety, and second chances to the most vulnerable women, children, and families in Eastern Uganda. When you donate using the link below, your entire donation will go to support our efforts there.

Thank you for all you do!