Our programs

Education is the starting point. Dignity is the goal.

HESS connects education with protection, gender equality, WASH, livelihoods and resilient local systems—creating the conditions children and communities need to learn, thrive and shape their future.

0189,980+

Lives reached

0250+

Schools supported

0310+

Years of service

0410+

Counties reached

Flagship programme areas

Connected support around the whole learner.

Our programme areas address immediate barriers to access, safety and participation. Each reinforces the others, creating stronger learning environments and more resilient communities.

Students learning in a HESS-supported classroom

Learning without barriers

Education

HESS expands safe, equitable and inclusive learning for children, young people and adults—especially those affected by crisis, displacement and poverty.

Safe learning spaces
Teacher development
Inclusive education
Alternative learning

Projects under this thematic area

CurrentECW Multi-Year Resilience Programme Phase IIAwerial, Yirol East and Cueibet · 36 schools

CurrentUNICEF Education ProjectTonj South · 12 classrooms across five primary schools

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A schoolgirl and HESS team member during a dignity-kit distribution

Safety, dignity and participation

Protection, Gender & Inclusion

We help schools and communities become safer and more inclusive, with particular attention to girls, children with disabilities and people facing protection risks.

Child protection
Gender equality
Referral pathways
Girls’ education

Projects under this thematic area

CurrentEducation Localisation FundCueibet · Eight primary schools and four ECD centres

CurrentGPE Girls Education AcceleratorYirol East · 14 schools, 2025–2028

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Children collecting water from a school water point

Healthy schools keep children learning

WASH in Education

Safe water, inclusive sanitation and practical hygiene knowledge improve health, restore dignity and help learners—especially adolescent girls—remain in school.

Safe water
Inclusive latrines
Menstrual health
Hygiene promotion

Projects under this thematic area

CurrentGPE Flood ResponseAwerial · Classrooms and gender-segregated inclusive school latrines

CurrentSchool WASH and dignity supportLakes State · Water points, hygiene and menstrual-health support

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A community member tending a productive garden

Learning connected to life

Youth, Livelihoods & Nutrition

Foundational learning and practical skills connect young people and vulnerable households to healthier lives, stronger livelihoods and dignified pathways.

Skills
Livelihoods
Nutrition awareness
Youth pathways

Projects under this thematic area

CurrentStrengthening TVET with CSE & Climate ChangeLakes, Western Bahr el Ghazal and Warrap

CurrentPathways to EmpowermentAwerial · Skills and dignified employment pathways

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A resilient school building supported through education programming

Learning through shocks and change

Climate-Resilient Education

Schools, teachers and communities prepare for floods, droughts and other climate shocks so learning can continue safely and local resilience can grow.

Resilient schools
Climate learning
Preparedness
Continuity

Projects under this thematic area

CurrentBRACERumbek North · Climate-ready schools, teachers and communities

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Participants attending a HESS capacity-strengthening workshop

Local leadership and stronger systems

Peace, Research & Governance

Peacebuilding, research and evidence-led dialogue help communities and education authorities build accountable, participatory and resilient local systems.

Peacebuilding
Research
Leadership
Accountability

Projects under this thematic area

CurrentBuilding Skills for Human Capital DevelopmentJuba and Yei · Local education governance and participation

Earlier workSupporting Effective Humanitarian PartnershipCapacity, humanitarian standards and local ownership

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How we work

Strong programmes begin with listening.

Communities, learners and education authorities shape priorities together. HESS then connects the people, services and systems needed to turn those priorities into sustainable change.

Listen and plan locally

Community priorities guide programme design.

Remove barriers

Protection, inclusion and WASH make participation possible.

Strengthen systems

Teachers, leaders and institutions build lasting capacity.

Learn and adapt

Evidence and feedback improve quality and accountability.

Locally led

National reach, local focus.

HESS programme implementation reaches 10+ counties across Bahr el Ghazal, Upper Nile and Equatoria—working alongside communities and public education structures.

Work with HESS

01Bahr el Ghazal

02Upper Nile

03Equatoria

Education · Empowerment · Equity

Help create the next opportunity.

Support safe classrooms, trained teachers, learning materials, sanitation and inclusive education.

Support our work Partner with HESS