TESS v3

The Support Programme

So many leaders in the Teso region are saying the same thing - secondary education is the top priority, especially for bright girls in the permanent refugee camps in Katakwi, Amuria, and the more remote areas of Kaberamaido.

The Director of the Development Office is saying that the education of bright children is now an even greater priority in many areas of Teso than the wide variety of development projects which have been traditionally supported.

In 2004 at the request of church leaders in Teso, TDT (Teso Development Trust) set up a sponsorship programme, now known as the Teso Educational Support Scheme (TESS), which enables orphans and vulnerable children to benefit from post-primary education

This program under the direction of the UK administrator, Helen Jordan, the board of trustees and the Diocesan Education Officers, is becoming very successful with sponsors from the USA, UK, Ireland and Germany as well as single donations being received from fund raising events.

Now in its seventh year, there are 214 girls and 37 boys being sponsored in secondary and technical schools, vocational institutions, colleges and universities.

For those who are not so bright, there are alternatives such as Junior Technical School for four years (practical subjects are taught in addition to the basic academic subjects, so equipping them to earn a living by a trade) or a Technical Institute after S4 instead of doing 'A' levels.

Those who complete six years at secondary school need further sponsoring to do a two or three year diploma course or even a degree course.

We therefore aim to equip them all to earn a living, and start supporting their families and paying fees for younger members, as well as contributing to the economy and development of Teso, through the use of the skills and knowledge they have gained.

Visit our ‘How to help’ page for further details.

Each December, a Retreat (like a summer school) is held for those in S1, S3, S4 and S6. A total of about 180 students spend 8 days on a residential course having a wide range of extra-curricular talks and activities as well as health checks.

Read more in "The Students" page

How is TESS different to other sponsorship programmes?

We are small! We aim to stay that way. Helen Jordan and Sam Ediau (the Uganda administrator) know all of the students personally. We support them, speak with them and value them all as individuals.

Sponsors receive letters 3 times a year from their students and are able to write to them 3 times a year. TESS can provide photographs and up-to-date news on individual students directly to their sponsors.

All money given for sponsorship goes to sponsorship. None of the money donated goes towards administrative costs.


Would you like to sponsor or donate to TESS?


Visit our ‘How to help’ page.