Bringing school to children who had none
Rev. Jackson Olega began the Trinity Education Programme in 2005, during the civil war, when families around Pajok asked for one thing above all: basic education for their children. The first school, Atepi Nursery School at Pajok Centre, opened in 2008 for early learners who had never before stepped into a classroom.
What began with a handful of children has grown into three campuses. Pajok Centre and Pajok Odwele serve the community in Magwi County, South Sudan. When conflict pushed many families into Uganda in 2017, the school followed them and opened in the Palabek Refugee Settlement in Lamwo District.
Our schools are Christian-based but non-denominational. We welcome pupils from every community and tribe, refugee and host community alike.
Where our name comes from
The school takes its name from the Atepi River, the longest perennial river in Pajok Payam and Magwi County. In Acholi, ate means "let me take" and pi means "water": the school was taken to a community that had been cut off from formal education.
Through the years
From a nursery in war-time Pajok to three campuses in two countries.
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2005
Our work in Pajok begins
During the civil war, Rev. Jackson Olega and the Trinity Education Programme answer the request of families around Pajok: education for children who had never been to school.
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2008
The first Atepi school opens
Atepi Nursery School opens at Pajok Centre, in Lawaci Boma, for early learners who had never before stepped into a classroom.
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2013
Land for a bigger school
The Pajok Payam Land Board gives 24 hectares at Caigon Boma, free of charge, for a full primary school.
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2015
Opening day at Pajok Odwele, 7 February 2015 Pajok Odwele opens
The upper primary campus opens. Its first classroom block, a gift from Together (Switzerland), is officially opened by Together’s President, Daniel Baldenweg, on 7 February 2015.
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2017
War closes Pajok Odwele
Renewed fighting in South Sudan forces the Odwele campus to close, and many families flee across the border to Uganda.
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2017
Class under the trees in Palabek, 28 June 2017 Atepi Palabek begins under the trees
The school follows the families to the Palabek Refugee Settlement. Classes start in the open, with pupils sitting on the ground under the trees in front of a blackboard. Tarpaulin classrooms follow a few weeks later.
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2018
Graduation at Palabek, January 2018 Graduation in the settlement
Palabek's top class celebrates graduation with families in front of the tarpaulin classrooms.
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2019
Pupils at Palabek, September 2019 Registered as a national NGO
TEP is registered with Uganda’s National Bureau for NGOs on 15 March 2019, giving the schools a firm legal home.
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2020
Food for families, September 2020 Standing with families in the lockdown
While COVID-19 kept schools closed, food was taken to the families of our pupils.
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2023
Pupils at their new desks, October 2023 Permanent classrooms and top results
Classroom Block A, built with Street Child and HYT Uganda, opens at Palabek. The school ranks 6th of more than 90 in Lamwo District in the Primary Leaving Examinations, and solar power arrives in October.
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2024
Pupils perform for visitors, 2024 Pajok Odwele reopens
After seven years, the Odwele campus opens its doors again. Solar power reaches both Pajok campuses, and a fence goes up around the Palabek school.
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2025
Cutting the ribbon at Palabek, 10 October 2025 New blocks in both countries
Together’s President, Daniel Baldenweg, opens Classroom Blocks B and C at Palabek on 10 October. On 14 October Block B opens at Pajok Odwele, a gift from Rita and Roman Langenegger of Luchsingen, Switzerland, in memory of the late Klaus Gechter. P.7 and P.8 begin at Odwele, completing the primary course.
Our vision
A generation of children empowered through quality, Christ-centred education, released from the cycle of poverty and conflict, and filled with hope.
Our mission
To give accessible, quality nursery and primary education to refugee children and the children of their host communities, whatever their gender, tribe or background.
Our values
Faith
We put God first. The Lord is my foundation.
Respect for every child
Every child is welcome, whatever their tribe, religion or nationality.
Excellence
Hard work and high standards, with confidence for pupils and staff.
Partnership
Parents, teachers and partners working as one team for the children.
Three campuses, one family
Atepi Nursery & Primary School is run by Trinity Education Programme (TEP), with the support of partners and parents.