History of Lift Up Uganda
Sue Nelson joins a medical mission associated with the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC). This mission would change her life and be the beginning of what could become Lift Up Uganda.
Sue meets Simon Menya, who serves as her translator and their friendship begins.
The Ugandan 20+ year war ends.
Sue returns to Uganda on her second mission trip and Fr. George shares his plans with her to build a Health Center. Sue becomes invested in his vision and offers her assistance.
Sue joins forces with Fr. Joseph, an Orthodox Priest from Tampa, Florida, and he endorses Fr. George’s plans for a Health Center. Later that year, Dr. Peter purchased four acres of land for the future site of the St. Nektarios Health Center.
Sue had the plan and the land so the fundraising efforts began.
Health education classes begin in local villages.
Sue travels with Fr. Joseph in Uganda and the Health Center plans are finalized.
On December 8, 2012, the groundbreaking for the St. Nektarios Health Center occurs and is blessed by Metropolitan Jonah of the Greek Orthodox Dioceses of Kampala and All Uganda.
Construction begins on the St. Nektarios Health Center using local people from the Akonyibedo Village.
Sue leads a medical mission.
On January 12, 2014, the St. Nektarios Health Center opens and begins seeing patients.
The St. Nektarios Health Center obtained Level III certification. The facility now has room for six inpatient beds. The Health Center is now open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
A water well was added providing fresh water to the clinic and surrounding village.
Regular outreach clinics are offered in surrounding villages.
That August Simon Menya would begin at St. Vladimir’s Theological Seminary in New York. Up until this point, Sue’s work was done as “Lift Up Uganda,” but it wasn’t official until Simon went to seminary. Lift Up Uganda is incorporated on December 15, 2015.
The maternity ward was completed and dedicated on August 16, 2016.
Lift Up Uganda raised money for solar panels for a new maternity wing for the St. Nektarios Health Center.
Additional funds were raised for a mid-wife hire, a solar refrigerator, and a motorcycle ambulance.
Prenatal, postnatal, and well-baby visits become a part of the St. Nektarios Health Center’s treatment plan.
An immunization program was started.
Lift Up Uganda raises money for an ultrasound machine and baby warmer.
Plans are developed for the staff quarters.
A WHO class for Helping Mothers and Babies Survive is introduced by Lift Up Uganda.
In May, Simon graduated and in July he is ordained.
Richard Okello is accepted at the same seminary.
The staff quarters at the Health Center are opened and are dedicated on January 16, 2020. 
Wifi is added to the Health Center.
Lift Up Uganda starts the St. Nektarios Primary School (P1-P7) with the construction of the Primary 1 and 2 Classrooms.
COVID-19 arrives.
COVID is declared a world-wide pandemic.
Sue continues to lead medical missions.
Huge fundraising efforts begin for Sue’s dream of a Community Children’s Library and plans are finalized.
Primary 3 Classroom is added at the St. Nektarios Primary School and a damaged kindergarten classroom is replaced.
Library books are packed and ready to be shipped to Uganda for the Community Children’s Library but no shipping container is available for 15 months.
Richard Okello starts his studies for MDiv at St Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary after a two-year delay due to COVID.
Eunice Ajok, our Health Center’s nurse, starts her program at St Francis School of Midwifery. When graduated and certified she will work at the St Nektarios Health Center.
LUU partners with GA2030 to do a trial run of teaching and distributing 200 water filter units in northern Uganda to provide clean drinking water for 200 families.
Thrive Life Skills course “Identity” is taught for the clergy, teachers, and counselors by Susan Habegger.
The Inclusion Collective travels with LUU to evaluate handicapped persons of all ages in northern Uganda.
The Primary 5 Classroom and a latrine are built at the St Nektarios Primary School in Akonyibedo village.
Lightning strikes the Health Center, disrupting services, and needed repairs are made.
Sue teaches the midwives on WHO courses for Helping Babies Survive- Helping Babies Breathe and Essential Care for All Babies. As they are now Master Trainers they offer several courses to local midwives, doctors, and nurses.
A program to sponsor needy students at the St Nektarios School is started with 40 students sponsored by LUU. Students write and receive their first letters from their sponsors.
The Community Children’s Library opens.
Solar and WiFi are added for the library and the school. A computer center is added to the Library and two computers are available to teach the teachers and students computer skills for research.
The school also receives their first ever two computers.
Richard Okello is ordained a Deacon by Bishop Nektarios of the Orthodox Diocese of Gulu and Northern Uganda. He continues his studies at St Vladimir Seminary.
The midwives now become Master Trainers to teach Helping Mothers Survive: Post Partum Bleeding and Preeclampsia/Eclampsia and offer these courses to local midwives, doctors, and nurses.
Lightning strikes the staff quarters at the Health Center requiring extensive repair.
The Primary 6 Classroom is built at the St Nektarios Primary School.
LUU and GA2030 teach and distribute 400 water filter units to remote villages. With these, the total number of families with clean water is 600. Now the St Nektarios School, Health Center, Mothers Union, and all Clergy were provided with the ability to have clean water. Four local people are new teachers who will be able to teach and do water testing and follow-up. A marked decrease in waterborne illness is documented.
The Community Children’s Library has its one year anniversary. Many programs have been added by the librarian: story hour, movie night, computer classes, learning to cut shapes with scissors, drawing, etc. The ability to check out books by the older students begins. The community children who do not go to school are welcome to use the library under the guidance of the librarian. The first-ever school party for Christmas and Easter are a huge success. Because of the library, school enrollment grows to 378 with a goal of 400 students.
For the third year, LUU partners with GA2030 and the local teachers teach and distribute 665 water filter units to remote villages. Now over 1200 families have access to clean water daily. Water tests continue to show no bacteria or parasites. There is a marked improvement in health, especially of the children.
The water well at the St. Nektarios Health Center is replaced due to rusty water.
While home for the summer, Deacon Richard coordinates a borehole/water well project in his village with funds raised at St. Vladimir’s Seminary.
Fr. Simon travels to the United States where he’ll speak at the OCAMPR Conference.
The school sponsorship programs grows to 60 needy students covered, with emphasis on girls attending school.
In December the Primary 7 Classroom will be built which completes the classrooms at our Primary School. Another goal is to build a Teacher’s Resource Room.