In a country where education opportunities can be so limited, especially for those from economically constrained backgrounds, the past three years as a coordinator at Undying Hope have given me the privilege of working with some truly incredible students, leaders at various levels, and school authorities. I have collaborated closely with local schools to identify students in need who, beyond receiving financial assistance for education, also benefit from the emotional and academic support necessary to excel.
This includes offering counseling and guidance while maintaining open lines of communication with the students, school authorities, and UHI top management. Each student I work with has an inspiring story to share, and it is my responsibility to ensure they receive not only scholarships and educational resources but also the motivation to keep striving—even when the journey becomes more challenging.
Financial instability, one of the region’s major problems, makes securing consistent funding for educating children by their families difficult. Most families can’t afford to feed themselves let alone send children to school. But all these challenges make every success all the more meaningful. Every time I see a student receive their diploma or continue their studies, defying all odds, I am reminded of the impact education could have on individuals and communities and how Undying Hope contributes to this.
I can never forget the beginning of 2024 when I was informed by the top management that there would be no new scholarship awards this year due to a lack of sufficient funds. This was hard news to break to the students who were hopeful for assistance. In the end, though the organization was not able to provide as many new scholarships as it had planned earlier, it was able to support four (4) Medical school students who were in their final year of study and will be graduating late next year. For Undying Hope to come through for them at such a critical time meant they could concentrate on their final year of study and for this they will forever be grateful. With the deficit of healthcare professionals in South Sudan, this would be a great and impactful addition too.
Such support to students in economically challenged South Sudan isn’t about individual success but rather about creating a ripple effect throughout an entire community. For these medical school students, success in education will mean leadership that brings change in healthcare access for families and communities. When young people are given the right tools to succeed, you’re not just changing lives but building a better future for a nation such as South Sudan.
If you believe, as I do, in the transformative power of education, then I invite you to join us in this mission. Together, we can create more opportunities, open more doors, and empower more students to make their dreams possible. Whether through a financial contribution, volunteering as a mentor, or just telling others about our work, there are many ways to get involved. Your involvement, no matter how big or small, helps us to continue making an impact on lives across South Sudanese communities both in the country and beyond. Let’s make that change together
In this update
- Happy Halloween
- Back to School
- International Operations
- Story of Hope from South Sudan
Dear friends and family,
Happy Halloween!!!! My family (Aluel, Nina, Thomas, and I) is sending wonderful Halloween celebration greetings from Nairobi, Kenya. We wish you and your family a wonderful day filled with love, hope, and joy!
Today, I am reminded of last year’s Halloween celebration. My daughter Nina and my son had an unforgettable time in Kingwood, Texas. Most houses in our neighborhood decorated their front yards with traditional Halloween decorations, accessories, and carving pumpkins. Although we don’t know what Halloween celebrations entail, we know Nina will love it tremendously. My wife dressed up Nina with her favorite costume, and off the door, we left for a trick-or-treating.
Joy was written all over Nina and her brother’s faces. What was fascinating, however, was that Nina was leading the way. She goes to every family sitting by their houses and says, “Happy Halloween!”. Through her novice relationship-building skills, she was able to collect lots of all types of candies. She also contributed positively to building a beautiful relationship with our neighbors.
A year later, we are celebrating Halloween in East Africa but with lesser attention compared to the US. To bring Nina close to home, I took Nina yesterday to a Mall closer to the UN compound and the US embassy here in Nairobi because I was under the impression that they would do some decoration. I was right! As soon as Nina saw the Halloween decorations, her face lit up, and she got excited instantaneously. We had a good time walking around the mall and enjoyed a delicious meal; then we came back. Her joy was vividly through the roof. Nina Happy kindled hope and joy in The Theils family.
We wish you and your family a joy-filled day, too!
Once again, Happy Halloween 🙂
International Operations:
UHI 2022 – 2023 Student Scholarship Program:
UHI 2024 Student Scholarship Program:
We, the Undying Hope team on the ground, are getting ready to review scholarship applications for the 2024 school year, which will start in January through December 2024. However, we have a challenge and need your financial support to get us through the next academic year and beyond. Donating any amount (even $10 or more/month) makes a difference in people’s lives.
Please consider kindling someone’s life and keeping them in school. The price of two cups of coffee or two bottles of milk a month can keep a student in a classroom instead of dropping out due to their family’s inability to pay school fees (tuition). Would you consider joining Undying Hope’s monthly donation of any amount?
Click here to learn how to give online or send your monthly checks to this physical address.
Undying Hope International
P.O. Box 2514
5350 Bellaire Blvd.
Houston (Bellaire), Texas 77402
On behalf of South Sudan and Kenyan students, thank you in advance for considering joining Undying Hope’s monthly donations. Those who are already on our monthly recurring gifts, thank you so much! You are making a significant difference in this part of the world. Many life is being transformed because of your continued financial support.
Undying Hope Alumni:
On behalf of the Undying Hope leadership team, I would like to let you know that this year, we have eight students graduating from the University of Juba, one from senior secondary school (high school) and four from elementary schools (primary schools). To say that we are happy to witness Undying Hope’s first alumni is an understatement. This is a huge deal, and we are incredibly ecstatic. Together, we helped these young people cross their first milestone. Undying Hope Coordinator and I are working on developing Undying Hope Alumni Association. Keep us and our first alumni in your thoughts and prayers!
Story of Hope from South Sudan
THE STRIVE FOR EDUCATION
Recently I boarded a tuktuk (rasksha) and while leaving the loading station, the station tut asked for a certain fee always paid by tuktuk riders and bus drivers when they load passengers from the designated stations. The rider said in Arabic, “I don’t have it now but when I return, I will give you.” The tut could have none of that and continued to demand that he pay up by all means. So, one of the passengers on board mocked the rider saying, “how can you lack common 200 SSP?” To which the youngster responded saying this was his first ride to get make cash for the day. So, long story short one of the passengers paid up and that off we rode. It immediately hit me how several young school going boys out there riding bikes (commonly known as “bodaboda”) or the tuktuks (rakshas) in turn just to have some pocket money or even raise school fees. One will ride making business in the morning or the afternoon hours and another will take it on through the evening or the night.
The boy-child languishes in untold strives to be able to raise school fees. Some are engaged in menial. While many are really trying to make a better future for themselves, others have given up and taken to the streets as thugs robbing people by daylight and night. With a little boast many of these would return and others about to get discouraged will have their hope rekindled. Education has a way of keeping one hopeful. Imagine what dreams would come alive at the light of education. Undying hope is lighting up hope across South Sudan and beyond (Kenya) through their scholarship program. Be a part of this great endeavor. Be remembered as a hope-giver. Thanks for your generosity.
Until next update, take care of yourself and each other
With much love and gratitudes
Theil T. Theil
President & Co-Founder
Undying Hope International, Inc.
The Theils and Undying Hope family sends you greetings, love, and hugs from East Africa! My family transition is coming along well. The weather in Nairobi has been switching between cold, hot, and windy. People are friendly, and development is ostensibly underway. My wife Aluel (Rose) is finally settling in after a challenging transition to East Africa and whirlwind trips. My son Thomas is already in school, and my daughter Nina claims ownership of my small tribe, The Theils. She is showing signs of being a human rights fighter at an early age.
PhD Journey:
My Ph.D. on Teacher Retention in South Sudan is progressing well. Those of you who have traveled on the Ph.D. path before me will agree that it’s like learning a new language. I am learning many new concepts, tools, techniques, and everything in between. That said, it’s a blessing to travel on this road with an intelligent, awesome, and funny cohort and be supported by amazingly able, wonderful, and dedicated professors and managers who desire to see us succeed and contribute positively to our beautiful planet earth.
Undying Hope Journey:
Undying Hope scholarship recipients completed their last fiscal year successfully. All our students maintained their seats; no one was sent home due to nonpayment!!! New year enrollment at Juba University has started amid hope and uncertainty. Primary and secondary schools began three weeks ago. All students are back to school happily and hopeful of another year without disruptions such as dropouts, insecurity, and unforeseen circumstances. The undying Hope team is holding students’ hands and ensuring that everything will be okay. God will provide amid hope and uncertainty!
This considerable impact would not have been possible without your backing of Undying Hope with time, talent, and treasure. Through your continued support, the Undying Hope team on the ground will keep on providing hope and opportunity to unreached and underserved students and communities in South Sudan and beyond. There will be a return on our collective efforts, wisdom, and investment. Together, we can hold our students’ hands and provide them with hope and opportunity, all of which are means to a better future. Undying Hope is a journey, and we are already on the path to a promising future.
Theil’s Next Trip to the U.S.:
May 27 – June 5th, 2023
I am available for a public speaking engagement during my May visits to the United States.
If you or someone(s) you know is interested in inviting me to speak while in the states, please let me know ahead of time via the website form, email, or any available forms of communication. Depending on the allotted time to speak, my presentation may include the following:
- Undying Hope’s vision.
- My story of overcoming insurmountable odds.
- My calling for South Sudan and beyond.
- Boots of the ground and Undying Hope impact
I am open to sharing with individuals, families, schools, churches, groups, organizations, and businesses.
To book me for a public speaking engagement, please click here or below to fill out an online request form.
Impact Story
My name is Eva. I am a student at the Mayo Primary School in Wau, South Sudan. My dream is to become a doctor in the future.
Please accept this appreciation letter as a token of my sincere gratitude for all you have done for me this year through the Undying Hope scholarship program. Words are not enough to say thank you for your help. You stood by my side when no one else did. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!
This scholarship came during a very tough time for me and my family. We are very poor, and my parent can’t afford school fees for me, my brothers and sisters. You cannot imagine how much your support has meant to me. I may not be able to return this favor, but I will do my best to help other students and treat many patients someday.
Thank you so much for your generosity. I am grateful to God for your love and support.
Thank you for everything
Eva
Undying Hope exists to give hope and opportunity and walk with vulnerable individuals and communities—a way to let them know that they are not alone. Together we can hold their hands and give them hope. Together, we can help them write a different story. Your generosity helps us keep giving hope and opportunity to more children and families in South Sudan and beyond.
With love and gratitude
Theil T. Theil
President & Co-Founder
Undying Hope International, Inc.
You have paved my way to success and the burden I was struggling with is now being shouldered by Undying Hope International.
Martha, 1st Year Medical School Student
Education in this far end of Africa is what we are yearning for. It is a dream some of our disadvantaged youth will never realize, solely because we are unable to afford its costs. What you have done for me is far beyond valuation and measure. It is an unparalleled gesture of kindness. I will be dedicated to making efforts that will guarantee education for other kids in my country.
Mabile, 3rd Year Law Student
Your generosity is not just a charitable contribution but is also a big investment towards bringing change in South Sudan and the world at large.
Atak, 3rd Year Medical School Student
You have really lightened my financial burden which allows me now to focus more on the most important aspect of school learning and not searching for fees. Receiving your generosity has inspired me to think of helping others and identify ways to give back to my community. I hope one day I will be able to help others to achieve their dreams just as you have helped me.
Jane, 2nd Year Business Management Student
Your open hands have saved me from dropping out of the university due to tuition fees constraints. With this scholarship, I shall be able to graduate and serve the vulnerable people especially our mothers and children who are yearning for more qualified medical personnel in the hospitals.
Madut, 4th Year Medical School Student