HESS

HelpEducation South Sudan (HESS) is a women-led, nonprofit humanitarian organization established in 2014 to address the critical need for literacy across South Sudan. Operating in Greater Bhar El Ghazal, Greater Equatoria, and Greater Upper Nile, HESS holds a legal mandate, registered with the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission. Our Mission and Vision • Mission: To combat illiteracy, inequality, poverty, and protection issues, and to promote human rights through a rights-based approach, thereby transforming the lives of the poor and vulnerable population and restoring human dignity. • Vision: HESS envisions a literate and empowered South Sudan for sustainable development. Programs and Expertise HESS's programs focus on areas critical for national stability and development: Gender, Protection, Peacebuilding, Women and Youth Empowerment Life Skills, WASH, Livelihood, Community Engagement, and Climate Change. Beyond formal schooling, HESS is deeply involved in social well-being and conflict resolution, as well as engaging in advocacy for improved education policies and governance. With a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the local context, HESS has successfully implemented various development and emergency projects funded by multiple donors. HESS maintains strong relationships with key stakeholders in the education sector, including local communities, National and State/local government ministries (particularly the Ministry of General Education and Instruction), churches, women groups, international organizations, and UN agencies. Strategic Role and Influence HESS holds influential positions within South Sudan's humanitarian structure, demonstrating recognized expertise and operational capacity. The organization currently serves as: • Chair for the Localization Task Team of the Education Cluster and the Child Protection AoR. • Lead for the County Education Cluster in Awerial. • Member of the NGO Forum Steering Committee. • Member of the National Education Coalition, the Gender Thematic Working Group, and the PSEA Task Team in Awerial County. Impact and Projects Since 2019, HESS has experienced significant growth successfully managing large procurements for multi-donor-funded projects. Key programs and interventions, which have positively impacted vulnerable communities, include: • Education Cannot Wait – Multi-Year Resilience Programme (MYRP) Phase 1 and 2: Aiming to sustainably improve learning outcomes and overall well-being for crisis-affected children and adolescents. • SIDA-Funded Strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in South Sudan, in partnership with UNESCO: Focused on reducing youth unemployment and boosting livelihoods by strengthening the TVET system with integrated gender and climate change awareness. • Projects funded by the GPE through UNICEF and Save the Children and the Local Response Pooled Fund. Through these initiatives, HESS has: • Increased access to quality, safe, and inclusive education by constructing climate-resilient classrooms and gender segregated latrines, training teachers, and strengthening school leadership, provision of Menstrual Hygiene Management, Tailored Education Support to Young mothers. • Empowered women and youth through capacity building, life skills training, and entrepreneurship initiatives. • Fostered positive social change while addressing livelihood, nutrition, and climate change challenges affecting schools. HESS’s ability to manage major procurements for projects like ECW-MYRP II, GPE-MYRP Flood Response, and others highlights its operational excellence and commitment to transforming lives in South Sudan.