1) Solomon's Children is a UK-registered charity that seeks to work closely with Ugandan partner organisations to select and sponsor students through secondary school on the basis of outstanding academic promise and financial need. We particularly seek to support students from rural and vulnerable families, especially those whose financial circumstances have changed, and who face having to abandon their schooling.
2) Our general principle is to support the most academically able students up to 'A' level, on the condition that they continue to make excellent progress. The quality of existing school provision will be taken into account when assessing the student's past progress. Financial support will be offered one year at a time, and Solomon's Children reserves the right to withdraw support if the school has consistent concerns about the performance or diligence of the students. A condition of funding is that all students pass (or have passed) their Ugandan Certificate of Education ('O' level) in Division 1.
3) Applicants for sponsorship need to be nominated by an institution of some standing. This will usually be a school, church or other NGO. Unsolicited applications from individuals will not be considered. All applicants will be asked to fill in a referral form, available from Solomon's Children, enclosing a school report and other details about their academic progress and financial circumstances. A letter of recommendation from the institution referring the student - e.g. from a headmaster, parish priest or NGO director - should also be included. Institutions can recommend up to four students for sponsorship in any one year, and should seek to recommend only their most academically able students. The application needs to be stamped and approved by the LC1 and LC3 in the area in which they reside.
4) All applications will be reviewed by a selection committee, and their decisions are final. For the academic year 2005, all applications need to be received by November 1st 2004. All applicants will be informed as soon as possible after that date. A maximum of two individuals referred by an organisation will be sponsored in any one academic year.
5) In collaboration with the nominating institution, Solomon's Children may recommend promoting students to better schools in the locality. Solomon's Children will however seek to verify that the student has a relative or guardian living near the school where they can stay or to whom they can turn in times of need or illness.
6) Solomon's Children will only pay school fees, associated fees and school lunches. Other costs (e.g. transport allowances, school uniforms, stationery, books, maths kits, medicines etc) will normally be met by the student, their relatives/guardians or the nominating organisation.
7) Payments will be made direct to the school or nominating institution on receipt of a written invoice. The students or their guardians will be asked to send Solomon's Children their school reports and fee receipts.
