Portable Classroom Expands Ebola Prevention Outreach In Uganda
Harper Hill Global equips a local organization to bring public health education to border communities while supporting broader efforts to strengthen emotional wellness.
By George Kannington Orochi
Nov. 9, 2026 | NEBBI, Uganda
A portable classroom provided by Harper Hill Global is helping a Ugandan nonprofit organization expand Ebola prevention education among church leaders and cross-border trading communities, reaching about 181 people through five awareness events in October.
George Kannington Orochi, director of Intercentury Organisation for Development Initiatives Ltd., is using the equipment to share educational video animations and facilitate discussions about Ebola prevention in Nebbi and along the Goli border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The outreach began with a workshop on Oct. 17 at Thatha Full Gospel Church in Nebbi, in Uganda’s West Nile Region. Seven church leaders attended the session, which introduced Ebola prevention messages in English and local languages. The workshop also addressed trauma and stress, drawing on Triumph Over Trauma, a Harper Hill Global program that equips people with safe and healthy ways to respond to difficult experiences.
The portable classroom, provided by Harper Hill Global, includes a portable projector, projection screen, laptop, speaker and microphone, and a portable power system for locations without reliable electricity. These resources enable Orochi to bring educational videos and group learning opportunities directly to communities rather than relying on permanent facilities or conventional classroom technology.
Photographs document the equipment in use as early as September and in multiple settings throughout October, illustrating how the investment supports ongoing community outreach.
Bringing Ebola prevention messages to the border
Following the church leaders’ workshop, Orochi took the Ebola awareness campaign to Goli, a busy border area where small-scale traders regularly travel between Uganda and Congo.
On Oct. 19, Orochi presented Ebola prevention messages to approximately 45 participants, primarily women engaged in cross-border trade. The session was integrated into a training organized by border stakeholders focused on safe, inclusive and resilient trade.
Three additional awareness sessions followed on Oct. 21, 23 and 26, reaching approximately 43, 40 and 46 participants, respectively. Together, the four Goli sessions reached about 174 people. Combined with the seven church leaders who attended the initial workshop, the five October events reached some 181 participants.
During the sessions, participants watched and discussed animated educational videos explaining how Ebola spreads and how communities can reduce the risk of infection. The materials addressed unsafe practices and misconceptions surrounding physical contact, greetings and affection, handling the bodies of people who may have died from Ebola and using belongings that may be contaminated.
The discussions emphasized that people can show compassion for those affected by Ebola without putting themselves or others at risk. Participants learned about maintaining a safe distance from suspected or confirmed cases, avoiding potentially infectious contact and allowing trained burial teams to handle the bodies of people who have died from the disease.
Participants acknowledged that Ebola remains a concern in the Congo and recognized the potential risks associated with frequent cross-border interactions. They expressed appreciation for the prevention messages and said the information would help them protect themselves while continuing their livelihoods.
Traders also committed to sharing what they learned with family members, friends and others in their communities, extending the potential reach of the education beyond those who attended the sessions.
Taking education beyond the classroom
The portable classroom allows Orochi to adapt his outreach to different audiences and locations. The projector, screen, laptop and audio equipment make it possible to present educational videos to groups, while the portable power system helps overcome a common barrier to audiovisual education in rural communities: the lack of reliable electricity.
Photographs from September and October show the equipment being assembled and used in different environments, including organized training venues and outdoor community gatherings. These settings demonstrate the flexibility of the approach, allowing local leaders to bring educational resources to people where they already gather.
Harper Hill Global’s approach centers on equipping local leaders with practical tools and resources they can use to address community needs. Rather than relying solely on outside organizations to deliver messages, the model empowers trusted local partners to conduct repeated educational activities in their own communities.
Harper Hill Global has supported public health communication initiatives in several countries, using animation, radio, television, text messaging and in-person engagement to share health information. Its Ebola prevention efforts build on previous campaigns in West Africa and the Congo, with educational materials adapted for different languages and communities. By placing communications equipment in the hands of local leaders, Harper Hill Global helps make these resources available through locally trusted people.
Connecting public health, emotional wellness
Orochi’s work with Intercentury also connects with Harper Hill Global’s broader commitment to emotional wellness. In addition to his Ebola prevention outreach, Orochi leads groups using Triumph Over Trauma.
Public health emergencies can bring fear, grief, uncertainty and other emotional challenges alongside the immediate threat of illness. Accurate prevention information is essential, and opportunities to address emotional wellness can complement the work of helping communities respond to difficult circumstances.
Although the extent to which these approaches are integrated into individual sessions may vary, the portable classroom provides a practical resource for delivering educational materials and facilitating group learning across both areas of work.
A broader mission of community development
Intercentury Organisation for Development Initiatives Ltd. was incorporated in Uganda in June. Based in the greater Nebbi area, the indigenous nonprofit works to address challenges affecting community well-being and development.
Its priorities include expanding vocational training and employment opportunities for young people, providing trauma and stress education, supporting vulnerable learners, strengthening household income-generating activities, and promoting environmental conservation and climate resilience.
The organization’s partnership with Harper Hill Global connects these longer-term development goals with an immediate public health priority: helping communities understand Ebola and take appropriate steps to prevent its spread.
The October activities demonstrate how a single investment in locally accessible communication technology can support repeated educational events for different audiences. By equipping local leaders to share information directly, Harper Hill Global helps strengthen local capacity to respond to urgent needs and continue serving communities over time.
Harper Hill Global continues raising funds to distribute public health messages and educational resources throughout Ebola-affected and surrounding areas. Your gift can help equip local leaders to reach more people with information that protects lives. Learn more or support this work at https://harperhill.global/donate.
Orochi is director of Intercentury Organisation for Development Initiatives Ltd.
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