What We Do
At the Irene Gleeson Foundation, we provide education, healthcare, spiritual support, and community development rooted in dignity, compassion, and hope. We believe every child deserves the chance to grow, learn, and flourish. IGF works to address these needs of vulnerable children in northern Uganda.
We believe that every child is entitled to clean water, nutrition, health care, education and protection.
Education
Irene’s vision began with teaching the children under a mango tree. IGF has expanded to five nursery and primary schools, serving communities in Kitgum and Lamwo. We are committed to providing quality education, in a safe environment, nurturing the minds that will shape the future of Uganda.
The schools participate in academic and co-curricular activities. IGF Childcare Amida School has consistently performed strongly in national examinations and co-curricular activities, while IGF Childcare Main Primary School has ranked among the leading schools in academic and co-curricular performance in the area. Currently, Kitgum Childcare has 565 students enrolled, with 22 teaching staff providing quality education. The other schools have the listed enrollments, Amida, 688 students and staff 22; Palabek, 275 students and 17 staff; Padibe, 833 students and 19 staff, Nakwanya (our most remote and vulnerable school community), 401 students and 13 staff. KBI has 103 students with 18 staff and CTI has 395 students and 30 staff. There are currently 170 children boarding at Kitgum Childcare.
Almost 80% of eligible children enroll in Primary School each year, however less than 50% successfully complete Primary Schooling. Most families in our communities are subsistence farmers who work long, hard hours for very little income. Because a child cannot learn on an empty stomach, every IGF student receives two nutritious meals a day. For many, these are the only meals they will have.
To highlight just one school, in 2024, IGF built a much needed school in Nakwanya, starting with a Church building. The villagers were so grateful, they built their own rudimentary classrooms, until these were able to be replaced. Nakwanya is a remote, rural village, approximately 20 km from the South Sudan Border with a population of approximately 6,000 people. Historically, it has been cut off from basic social services, with Kitgum Government Hospital being some 90km away. Travelling in the area after dark is strongly discouraged, due to poor roads, unlit vehicles, roaming livestock, and the risk of highway robbery by armed bandits known to operate in the region. These people are some of the poorest of the poor.
Would you like to sponsor one of our schools? IGF no longer offers child sponsorship, however we welcome school sponsorship. $50 per month will contribute to maintaining teaching staff, purchasing resources and providing two meals per day to all students. If you would like further information, please contact one of our Advocacy and Fundraising Committee Members to discuss. You may choose to make a one-off donation or choose to give a different amount each month. All donations are received with much appreciation. If you are ready to donate, click on the Donate now button and choose, one-off or monthly, then choose an amount, and note which school you would like to sponsor. Thank you!
IGF Health Centres: Kitgum, Amida, Palabek, Padibe, Nakwanya.
IGF Health Centres: Kitgum, Amida, Palabek, Padibe, Nakwanya.
Our Team
At the IGF Health Centre in Kitgum, we employ a Doctor of Medicine, a Medical Officer, a Nurse, a Midwife, a Laboratory Technician, two part-time Mortuary Attendants and a Bookkeeper. Each of our nurse-led school clinics is staffed by either a Nurse or a Medical Officer.
Our facilities have always offered quality health care to IGF students and staff. In January 2026, all clinics opened their doors to the wider community. For a minimal fee, patients receive a holistic assessment from one of our experienced clinicians.
Upgrades and Resources
In 2024, the IGF Health Centre and all school clinics were refurbished, upgraded and fully resourced to provide quality assessment and care. Each school clinic was fitted with solar panels and a battery to guarantee a stable electricity supply, and our laboratory gained a Complete Blood Count (CBC) machine, expanding the tests we can offer, we purchased and Ultrasound Machine, renovated buildings and ensured that all clinics had all the functioning equipment and resources they required to provide an optimal service to their patients.
Cengwa Women’s Health Project
That same year, we established the Cengwa Women’s Health Project. Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in Uganda, causing more than 4,600 deaths each year. It is preventable, and highly treatable when detected early. Yet fewer than 5% of eligible women in Northern Uganda have ever been screened. We aim to raise that to 50% by 2030.
We found that lack of education is a major barrier to screening. There is also no government screening program in the North, and the few facilities that exist are far apart and severely under-resourced. In response, we purchased speculums, forceps and all equipment needed for VIA screening, and trained our doctors, nurses and midwife to perform quality cervical and breast assessments. $30 per month will cover our costs for providing two potentially life-saving Cervical Cancer Screens.
Our Services
Our staff undertake continuous professional development so that our care reflects best practice. Our services now include:
- Holistic health assessments and expanded laboratory testing
- Minor surgeries
- Antenatal care, maternal and child health services, and family planning
- Immunisation and
- Laboratory testing and ultrasound
- Women’s health services, including free cervical cancer screening
- Outpatient and inpatient care, with separate male and female wards, each with their own bathrooms
- An on-site pharmacy that fills prescriptions within our facility
- A newly opened refrigerated mortuary, now serving the kitgum community
The fight against Malaria
Malaria is the leading cause of death in Uganda, claiming nearly 20,000 lives each year, and it is one of the most common reasons people come to our facilities. Young children and pregnant women are hardest hit, and half of all malaria deaths occur in children under five. Cases surge in the wet season but occur all year round. At its peak, approximately 20 children test positive each day at our school clinics, placing great demand on our services.
Most cases occur because children are not sleeping under a mosquito net. Many IGF students live in village mud-hut homes where nets are often unavailable. IGF is committed to preventing malaria as well as treating it, through education and other protective measures. For as little as $20, you can purchase two treated mosquito nets to protect our most vulnerable patients.
Good health is the foundation of every child’s future. By providing quality medical care and preventative health education, our staff show commitment to delivering excellent care to produce healthier outcomes for our students and the communities we serve.
Would you like to support our Health Centre? Your donation of $50 per month will enable us to continue to provide quality health services, Malaria testing and treatment, maintain equipment or purchase medicine. Choose the amount that you would like to give as a one-off or monthly donation and tell us what area you would like to sponsor.
Our Services
Our staff undertake continuous professional development so that our care reflects best practice. Our services now include:
- Holistic health assessments and expanded laboratory testing
- Minor surgeries
- Antenatal care, maternal and child health services, and family planning
- Immunisation and
- Laboratory testing and ultrasound
- Women’s health services, including free cervical cancer screening
- Outpatient and inpatient care, with separate male and female wards, each with their own bathrooms
- An on-site pharmacy that fills prescriptions within our facility
- A newly opened refrigerated mortuary, now serving the kitgum community
Mighty Fire FM
IGF Mighty Fire FM is a leading Christian community radio station based in Kitgum which broadcasts primarily in Acholi/Luo and English, with approximately 80% Luo/Acholi and 20% English programming.
The station broadcasts a combination of:
- Local news
- Gospel music
- Bible teaching
- Governance discussions
- Cultural programmes
- Sports
- Community programmes
- Health education & inspirational content.
The station operates on 91.5 FM and is located at Hilltop in Kitgum, with a liaison office on Uhuru Drive.
See the tangible outputs your donation is making in the lives of vulnerable children and communities
Over 3,260 Direct IGF Education Beneficiaries
2,762 Primary Students – 103 KBI Students – 395 Technical Students – 170 Year 7 Boarders – 12 Children at Hope Home –
3,075
patients successfully treated in IGF School clinics in one year
66,000
people accessing safe water from 18 IGF boreholes
43
young professionals who have graduated with Masters Degrees, Bachelor Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates through IGF Scholarship
141
IGF Staff employed
1,100,000
listeners reach of Mighty Fire FM covering 200km radius of northern Uganda and into South Sudan
2,282
young professionals have graduated from IGF Technical institute in craft and trade skills in the past 10 years
296
business professionals have graduated from IGF Business Institute in past 8 years
1,142,860
hot nutritious meals served to children in 2024
896
congregation in 5 Community Churches with 185 new converts in 2023/2024
975
reusable menstrual kits distributed to 975 vulnerable teenage girls
32
at-risk children currently under IGF residential care, 25 children reintegrated to their villages to reconnect with their extended families
250
bicycles distributed to IGF pupils who walk over 8kms daily to school
2,260
who successfully completed Primary Education in 10 years (2004-2024) in IGF Primary Schools (1,109 girls, 1,043 boys)
44
trophies won by IGF Primary Schools in Athletics, Netball, Football, Debating, Music Dance and Drama
See the wonderful transformation your donation is making in the lives of vulnerable children and communities