TESS

There is a real sense of urgency now that the work has started, to avoid delays and unnecessary extra costs.

How can you help us reach the target of £400,000 for completing Phase 2a?

Many people have already contributed in various ways, so enabling us to get this far.

The people of Teso are doing all they can to support the building of the school. But they are frustrated it is happening so slowly! They are not sitting back waiting for the school to appear – they are already providing time, skills and gifts in kind as they are able to. And students sponsored by TESS are contributing a few days of labour each year on the building site. But the people of Teso need help to realise their vision sooner rather than later. Every year that passes means more missed opportunities. A delay in raising sufficient funds for Phase 2a to start in December 2011 would mean we cannot take the first students until February 2014.

Ways of helping – invest in Shalom School and the future of Uganda

• Volunteer – either in Uganda or at home
• Raise money by running events
• Raise awareness and recruit more supporters amongst friends, colleagues, schools, churches etc
• Pray regularly, perhaps setting up an intercessory group linked with the group in Kumi Diocese
• Donate items or services which can be auctioned
• Give your skills for free or at reduced rates
• Give equipment and resources for the school or supply them at reduced rates
• Encourage groups you are a member of to get involved
• Generate ideas for fundraising and inspire people to participate
• Donations of money, using Gift Aid if you are a UK tax payer
• Set up a regular monthly donation
• Get involved in the Fund Development Board which is responsible for overseeing the fundraising campaign for the first two years
• Download the Shalom leaflet and distribute it as widely as possible, perhaps leaving it in places where people can pick it up

URGENTLY NEEDED: A committed dynamic Chairperson to direct the Fund Development Board as it works with the Trustees of TESS, the FSI and a Campaign Manager (yet to be appointed).

If you are reading this website, then it shows that you are not one of the most disadvantaged people of Teso, even if life is a struggle or you are from Teso yourself. You obviously already have an education and the means to access a computer, even if it isn’t your own. So you must also have the ability to help those in Teso, who are still caught in poverty, to have the same opportunities you have had. Please don’t leave it to others to respond – or leave it until another day. Can you please make contact with us now, while you are still looking at this website?

Making a contribution of your skills, time and money to Shalom will be one of the most important investments you will ever make.
Although you will not personally get any financial return on your gifts, you will have the deep satisfaction of knowing that you have made a difference to the life and future of so many individuals for generations to come and contributed significantly towards transforming one of the most disadvantaged areas in the world. What could be more rewarding and worthwhile?

Can you please Donate now

To help and contribute in other ways, please contact
Margaret Stevens: margaret.stevens@tess.uk.net

Personal note from Margaret Stevens, the founder and Chief Executive of TESS
Many of us take our education and opportunities for granted – until we see what is going on in schools in Uganda and listen to children sharing horrendous stories of abuse. I don’t know of a single school I would be happy for my grandchildren to attend in Uganda.

If the schools are not good enough for my grandchildren, then they aren’t good enough for the children of Teso who have already suffered so much and for whom a good, relevant education is the only hope for the future. This is the bottom line for me. This is what makes me so passionate about helping the people of Teso build a school which will make such an enormous difference not only in Teso but throughout Uganda. The children of Teso need a school where they can flourish and be happy so that they reach their full potential. Adults need an opportunity to catch up on some of what they have missed out on when young. And schools throughout Teso and Uganda need to be inspired and encouraged to explore better ways of educating children. Although it will take a generation to influence the educational culture in Uganda, the lives of some of the most disadvantaged children will start to be transformed as soon as the school opens.

To realise our vision for Shalom, WE NEED HELP sooner rather than later!! No-one can do it on their own, nor even as a small group. But working TOGETHER, each contribution from around the world will add up and make the miracle happen. With God, anything is possible – if we work with him.

We already have enough money to complete the first, small phase by the end of this year (2011). If we could find 1000 people (or groups) to give £250 each (ie: 1,000,000 Ugx, $400, €285) by the middle of 2012, the second phase (of three craft workshops, classrooms, dormitories and essential facilities for the 96 students) would be ready to open for the first students in February 2013!! I can't do it on my own - CAN YOU HELP PLEASE? What a sense of achievement we would all have if we can do this together. You will never in your life make a more significant or worthwhile investment.

PLEASE DON'T DELAY – CAN YOU START GIVING AND RAISING THE MONEY TODAY?