Our Story: How It All Began
In 2013, George Wateta and Rachel Nabirye saw an alarming crisis in the outskirts of Iganga Town. Children were not attending school. Many were malnourished, sleeping on streets, begging in markets, or scavenging in waste bins. Others were orphaned by HIV/AIDS, and most came from families living on less than $2 a day.
What started as a voluntary mobilization of vulnerable children quickly became a life-giving mission. The founders began a school in response, believing every child deserves access to quality education, basic healthcare, spiritual care, and the chance to live with dignity.
From this deep conviction, El Shammah Echoes Initiative was born—a beacon of hope for forgotten children and marginalized communities. Today, we serve over 360 primary and secondary students, along with their families and communities, through diverse outreach and empowerment programs.
Why We Are Called “El Shammah”
The name “El Shammah” means “The Lord is There” (Ezekiel 48:35). This name reflects our firm belief that God’s presence abides in every act of compassion, every restored child, and every community that rises from despair to dignity.
Inspired by compassion and grounded in Christian faith, we formally launched as a community-based organization with a clear mission: to transform lives by addressing social, economic, spiritual, and health-related challenges through practical, Christ-centered action.
