Check this page for updates on the Hands of Hope Community School, South Sudan, or the Upper Nile region as a whole.
End-of-Year Messages from Tito, Our Founder and Executive Director,
and Philip, Our Head Teacher
“I trust that we collectively can turn a child of nobody to a child of somebody without knowing anybody. Together we can replace the hopeless with a hopeful future.
Your prayers, physical actions, [and] financial and moral contributions to UOCO have garnered significant hope for the children.
In Jesus’ name, I again wish each one of you—the boards, the donors, the children, and the volunteers—a safe upcoming New Year 2025. May the Lord abundantly bless you all.” –Tito Gatkoi Kach, Executive Director of UOCO
“My family and I wish all of you a Happy New Year in advance, and may the year 2025 be a year of peace, blessings, love, justice, hope, accountability, and prosperity to all South Sudanese and the globe.” – Philip Bieh Tap, Hand of Hope Head Teacher
Timeline of Our Work
December 2024: Fencing construction completed, and Tito plans spring 2025 visit to the school.
October 2024: New fencing materials began their long trip up the Nile River and then overland to the school compound.
February 2024: The new land of 25/80 meters ( 80×260 feet) was acquired.
October 2023: Received “Gloria’s Grant” to build a durable school compound (these are building funds only).
September 2022: Increased to 27 student-residents safely living in huts at Hand of Hope Community School.
August 2022: The new Hand of Hope Community School compound and fence were constructed.
June 2022: After the April 2022 attack and flight, the organization moved all the children and the school to Leer.
April 2022: The village of Leer was attacked; children and staff all fled into hiding. No lives lost. Brave staff re-gathered all of the children.
October 2021: UOCO Hand of Hope Community School was officially opened with eight children in Tuoch Riak highlands.
January 2021: UOCO acquired unsurveyed land in Bow Payam and in Kulier near the UNMISS base in Leer.
October 2020: UOCO USA opened as an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational charity to fund the Hand of Hope school.
August 2020: UOCO was officially registered as a nonprofit by RRC in South Sudan’s capital, Juba.
August 2020: The UOCO board requested registration with RRC (Relief and Rehabilitation Commission) of South Sudan.