Help our local partners realise their vision of hope for their communities
4 June 2024
– By Anaïs Arroyo, HART Campaigns and Research Intern
The story of Patongo Orphan Infant Health Rehabilitation Centre (PAORINHER) is one of persistent hope. Founded in 2007, it is now a thriving school, clinic, farm, sports academy, and community hub in the Agago District of northern Uganda.
After 12 years of collaboration and growth, HART handed over the partnership with PAORINHER to our friends at Power for the People (PFP). Although we no longer directly support the centre, we continue to champion their work.
See the world through a different lens
HART, PAORINHER and Power for the People have teamed up to release a short documentary to share the local community’s vision for the future. Here is a glimpse of what is to come:
Every member of this community has been impacted by conflict in some form. Over time, PAORINHER has helped to heal some of the gaping wounds of war. PAORINHER is more than a school. It is a refuge for children who were orphaned through war, and it is a haven for families with an HIV diagnosis.
This is a success story. The documentary, releasing on 7 June, will give you a chance to see the world through a different lens. But don’t just take our word for it, hear from people at the grassroots.
Education beyond the classroom
PAORINHER has supported more than 700 students and 300 families. They take a holistic approach to education by addressing the basic needs of the local community. Their health and nutrition programmes help individuals and families to be seen and valued beyond a diagnosis. Meanwhile, their farming projects increase food security and offer training opportunities. PAORINHER respects the dignity of their students and the local community by enabling them to become self-sufficient.
The seeds for the future are being sown. Lanyero Babra Rivera, a former student, is now a teacher at the school. Lanyero used to admire those who could attend school without believing it would ever be a possibility for herself. Years later, her students achieve some of the best results in her subject. Lanyero is one of many “Pioneers” (former students) who return to PAORINHER in a circular model of impact.
The next generation
PAORINHER is a testament to a sustained, grassroots approach to development. Keep an eye out for the release of the documentary on 7 June, where you will hear from the Centre’s founder, its students and teachers, Agago District’s Minister, and many more.
All our local partners lead with hope. It is the bond that holds their communities together when faced with the unthinkable. It is the common thread that links HART, our local partners, and our supporters. Hope is a universal language. With your support, HART can collaborate with the next generation of local partners. Together, we can sow the seeds for long-lasting change.