Learning, Partnership and Hope: P2E Partners Visit Awerial County
A three-day joint field visit brought partners closer to the learners, tutors and local leaders supporting the Accelerated Secondary Education Programme in Awerial County, Lakes State. At two Accelerated Secondary Education Programme (ASEP) centres in Awerial County, learners and tutors had a clear message for visiting partners: the programme matters, and they are ready to continue […]
A three-day joint field visit brought partners closer to the learners, tutors and local leaders supporting the Accelerated Secondary Education Programme in Awerial County, Lakes State. At two Accelerated Secondary Education Programme (ASEP) centres in Awerial County, learners and tutors had a clear message for visiting partners: the programme matters, and they are ready to continue the journey.From 11–13 August 2026, representatives from the Mastercard Foundation, War Child Canada, Windle Trust International and HelpEducation South Sudan (HESS) travelled to Awerial County in Lakes State for a joint field visit. Their purpose was to assess how ASEP is being implemented, understand how communities are receiving it and hear directly from the people involved.ASEP is one component of the Pathways to Empowerment (P2E) Project and is implemented in Awerial County by HESS, a Refugee-Led Organization. The programme is helping to expand access to secondary education for learners affected by challenging circumstances.Over three days, the visiting team saw encouraging signs of progress: enthusiastic learners, committed tutors, active local leadership and strong communication between the people responsible for delivering the programme.
Listening where learning happens
A field visit is more than an opportunity to review activities. It is a chance to move beyond reports and meet the people whose daily experiences show whether a programme is working. At the two ASEP centres, the joint team spent time learning about programme implementation and community acceptance. Learners and tutors warmly welcomed the programme and expressed their willingness to continue participating.Their enthusiasm was one of the clearest signs that ASEP is responding to a real need in Awerial County. For the learners, the centres offer an opportunity to continue their education. For the tutors, the programme provides a structure through which they can support learners working to build a better future.The engagement observed during the visit showed that education is not simply being delivered to the community. Learners, tutors and local stakeholders are taking an active role in making the programme work.
Partnership visible on the ground
Good programmes do not succeed through design alone. They rely on trust, communication and people who are willing to work together when challenges arise.One of the strongest impressions from the visit was the close collaboration between HESS and the Awerial County authorities. The joint team observed a high level of cooperation, coordination and shared responsibility.County leaders were not distant observers. Their active engagement reflected a common commitment to supporting education and strengthening programme implementation. This local ownership is essential because it helps connect programme activities with county priorities and the realities facing learners in the area.The visit demonstrated what partnership can look like in practice: organizations and local authorities bringing their different responsibilities and experience together around one shared goal—helping more learners access quality education.
Learners and tutors at the heart of ASEP
The strongest measure of any education programme is the experience of the people in the learning space.At the visited centres, learners and tutors showed strong acceptance of ASEP. Their willingness to remain engaged reflected the programme’s relevance and the value they place on the opportunity it provides.This acceptance matters. A programme can only create lasting change when learners see a reason to participate and tutors feel supported to continue guiding them. The response from both groups gave the visiting partners confidence that ASEP is establishing meaningful roots in Awerial County.It also served as a reminder that every programme result begins with individual commitment: a learner choosing to attend, a tutor preparing a lesson and a local official making time to support implementation.
Communication that keeps the programme moving
The team also appreciated the clear communication channels between HESS and the tutors working at the two ASEP centres.Regular and effective communication helps the programme run smoothly. It allows tutors to raise concerns, helps HESS respond to emerging needs and ensures that important information reaches the people responsible for day-to-day delivery.Although communication can be easy to overlook, it is one of the foundations of a well-coordinated programme. The systems observed during the visit showed that HESS and the centre tutors are maintaining the relationships needed to address challenges and keep learning activities on track.
Strengthening relationships with local authorities
The visit reinforced the importance of recognizing county authorities and education officials as active partners in the programme.Their continued participation can help strengthen local ownership, improve coordination and sustain community confidence in ASEP. Maintaining this engagement—including providing appropriate logistical support during joint activities—will be important as partners build on the progress already achieved.Investing in these relationships is ultimately an investment in the programme itself. When local authorities, education officials, tutors and implementing partners communicate openly and plan together, they are better equipped to respond to the needs of learners.
Returning with renewed commitment
By the end of the three-day visit, one message stood out: ASEP is gaining strong acceptance among learners, tutors and local authorities in Awerial County.The visit also showed the value of locally led coordination. HESS’s relationships with tutors and county officials have created a strong foundation for programme delivery, while the involvement of P2E partners brings shared learning, support and accountability.The joint team left Awerial County encouraged by what they had seen and with a renewed commitment to strengthen collaboration, respond to emerging needs and build on the progress made.For learners at the two ASEP centres, that continued partnership represents something deeply important: an opportunity to keep learning, develop their potential and move towards a more hopeful future.
Locally led partnership keeps education relevant, accountable and close to the communities it serves.