• How To Help,  In The News,  Students

    Four New Scholars Join the JPSS Graduate Scholarship Program

    This July, the John Paul Secondary School Board of Governors’ Academic Committee met to select the newest class of recipients for the JPSS Graduate Scholarship Program (GSP), the program that helps our most promising, financially needy graduates continue on to university. Eleven students applied this year. Each application was reviewed against a strict set of funder guidelines: applicants had to have completed S5/S6 at JPSS, live within 100km of the school, score at least 11 points at UACE, demonstrate genuine financial need, and be admitted to an eligible university and course. Applicants and their parent or guardian also had to agree to a three-way contract with JPSS, laying out both…

  • How To Help,  In The News,  Students

    Empowering the Future: Meet Our 2026 Hungerford Scholars!

    Earlier this year in February, as the new academic term kicked off, we had the privilege of selecting the latest class of Hungerford Scholarship Program recipients! Thanks to your continued generosity, these bright, determined Senior One students from resilient families across Pallisa, Mbale, and Bulambuli districts were able to begin their secondary education journey with full support. Selected at the start of the year based on academic potential and financial need, these scholars come from humble backgrounds, many belonging to large peasant farming families or single-parent households, yet all share a strong dedication to learning and building a brighter future. Meet a Few of Our Scholars: Oliabong Charles (Pallisa) –…

  • How To Help,  In The News

    A Friendship Transformed into Hope: The Story of John Mataya

    Some friendships don’t just stand the test of time—they change the world. For John Mataya, our longest-giving Sustaining Angel, the story begins back in 1964 during his time in the Air Force. That was when he met Paul, a fellow service member who would quickly become one of his closest friends and his roommate for three years. A few years later in Omaha, John attended a party and met a young woman named Nancy. As John fondly recalls: “She didn’t like me very much at that time. The next week Paul came with me to another party that Nancy was going to be at and I introduced them. The rest…

  • How To Help,  In The News

    FOJPS—Sustaining Angels

    Have you ever wondered, “What is a FOJPS Sustaining Angel?” or “Why would I want to become a FOJPS Sustaining Angel?” Let me answer those questions for you. What is a FOJPS Sustaining Angel? A FOJPS Sustaining Angel is an exceptional individual who provides ongoing financial support to a cause or project at John Paul Secondary School in Uganda on a regular monthly basis. Why become a FOJPS Sustaining Angel? There are many appealing reasons to consider: Being a FOJPS Sustaining Angel is about investing financially and emotionally in a cause that aligns with your values. Your monthly donations empower us to embrace the unexpected, allowing us to tackle unforeseen…

  • How To Help,  In The News,  Students

    JPSS University Scholarship Update

    The first year of our University Scholarship program has come to a successful close with the completion of classes and finals by our first 4 beneficiaries. We’re happy to report that Bruno, Silver, Meridah and Joshua all performed well in academics and with the help of our mentor Sharon, made a smooth transition into University life.  Outside of classes, they’ve participated in groups and church activities including sports, church choir, church sacristan, Bamasaba (tribe) association, and the debate club. Mentor Khabuya Sharon visits the students while they are at campus. The scholars and their parents/guardians are meeting at JPSS before the beginning of the next semester to share experiences and…

  • Events and Fundraising,  How To Help,  In The News

    2025 FOJPS Virtual 5K Results

    Thank you so much to everyone who participated in or donated to our fifth annual virtual 5K supporting our beloved teachers at John Paul Secondary School in Uganda! Please watch the Kick-off video below to learn more about our teachers, and to see the photos and fun from the race in Chelekura. It was a wonderful day and the students and teachers were all so happy to be part of a fundraiser helping their school. We had over 200 participants come together across the U.S. (and some in Germany and on the Disney Cruise!) to make our 5K a success. We deeply appreciate the time and dedication of our participants,…

  • How To Help,  In The News,  Students

    The Hungerford Scholarship:  Changing the Future for Rural Uganda

    John Paul Secondary School has long been a beacon of hope and opportunity for students in the Pallisa District. One of the key initiatives that have contributed to this growth and success is the Hungerford Scholarship Program. “Sue and I support many charities but without question, John Paul School is one of our favorites! Besides being a wonderful cause, you get so much value for your dollar! For the equivalent of $250 a year you can give a child a great education. Imagine that! For $250 a year you can help to break the chains of poverty with the promise of a bright future . . . and forever change…

  • How To Help,  In The News

    Volunteers Needed

    Volunteer Positions/Skills Needed These represent our ongoing needs for help and include the type of assistance needed and expected time commitment. Website and Social Media management – making changes and updates to existing WordPress website, creating new Posts and basic website maintenance.  Website performance optimization greatly needed.  Manage social media accounts, prepare posts based on communication calendar, review post performance.  Experience with WordPress a plus (but not required), comfort in online systems, social media posting. Time Commitment:  website updates quarterly and prior to/after events (3-4 times a year), social media updates 2×3 times a month, more frequent during fundraisers. Graphic Design/Video Production – working in conjunction with Website and Social…

  • Events and Fundraising,  How To Help,  In The News

    2024 FOJPS Virtual 5K Results

    Thank you so much to everyone who participated in or donated to our fourth annual virtual 5K – benefiting the students and teachers at John Paul Secondary School in Uganda! Please watch the Kick-off video above which includes footage from the race in Chelekura. It was a wonderful day and the students and teachers were all so happy to be part of a fundraiser helping their school. In fact, the teachers came together to take up a collection in order to help raise money for the 5K event.    They see the impact the overcrowded classrooms has on their students, and they want to help. The 5K week was a…

  • How To Help,  In The News

    Thrivent’s Impact for JPSS

    Hi, I’m Kim Dwyer, Financial Advisor at Thrivent and huge fan of Friends of John Paul Secondary School. One of the many reasons I love my job is that I help families every single day live and leave a legacy in their faith, family, and finances. I work with people just like you to help them organize their finances, align their goals to their values, and create a clear financial strategy. One of the most exciting things that happens within these conversations is when people realize that they can be more generous than they imagined – and they gain confidence knowing the people and causes they care about are taken…