About SSSI
Global education has always been within reach for some South Sudanese students — and far out of reach for most. We exist to change the ratio.
Our Story
SSSI was created with a simple mission: to make scholarship information accessible to every South Sudanese student.
After navigating the scholarship application process through extensive research, trial, and error, we realized that many capable students were missing opportunities because they lacked reliable information and practical guidance. Many did not know where to find legitimate scholarships, what documents were required, or how to prepare competitive applications. Others had fallen victim to fraudulent agents promising opportunities that did not exist.
To address this challenge, we began sharing verified scholarship opportunities, application requirements, essay writing guidance, CV tips, and practical resources that help students become stronger applicants. We also built a searchable scholarship database on our website, making it easier for students to find opportunities in one place instead of relying on scattered social media posts or unreliable sources.
For students who need more than information, SSSI also provides one-on-one mentorship. Our advisory team works closely with each student, offering personalized guidance through every stage of the application process, from selecting the right scholarships to reviewing essays, strengthening application materials, and preparing for interviews. Because this support is highly personalized, we currently mentor a small cohort of more than ten students at a time. This does not represent the full reach of SSSI. While thousands of students can freely access our scholarship database and educational resources, mentorship is reserved for a smaller group receiving comprehensive application support. As mentorship spots are completed, new students are brought in.
Our vision extends beyond an online platform. We are working toward establishing a physical SSSI center in Juba where students can access one-on-one consultations, mentorship, application support, essay reviews, workshops, and trusted scholarship resources.
At SSSI, we believe that access to the right information should never determine whether a talented student gets the opportunity to pursue higher education. Our work is dedicated to removing information barriers and equipping South Sudanese students with the knowledge and guidance they need to compete for educational opportunities around the world.
Mission, vision & theory of change
Mission
Honest scholarship information, structured guidance, and one-to-one mentorship — free, in plain language, built around the realities South Sudanese applicants actually face.
Vision
Education as the foundation for peace, opportunity, and the long-term leadership South Sudan deserves.
Theory of change
When students get accurate scholarship information, structured mentorship, and a peer cohort, application outcomes improve — and so does the quality of leadership they bring back.
Who we serve
Students inside South Sudan
From secondary schools, universities, and self-study paths preparing for international applications.
Refugee & displaced students
South Sudanese students in Kakuma, Bidi Bidi, Khartoum, Kampala, and other displacement settings.
Diaspora students
South Sudanese youth in Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Australia, Canada, the UK, the US, and beyond.
First-generation applicants
Students with no one in their family or school who has navigated international admissions before.
Returning scholars
Alumni who want to mentor the next cohort and stay engaged with the community.
Educators & counselors
Teachers and school leaders who want better information for their students.
Timeline
A new institute grows in stages. We publish ours honestly — including what is still ahead.
Q1 2026
SSSI is founded
Martin Kuol and Thiep convene the first volunteer team and draft the mission.
Q2 2026
First scholarship database
An initial set of verified scholarships is published with filters for South Sudanese applicants.
Q3 2026
Mentor cohort #1
First cohort of mentors is onboarded and matched with applicants for the 2026–27 cycle.
Q4 2026
Webinar series begins
Free monthly webinars on essays, IELTS, Common App, Chevening, and STEM pathways.
2027 target
Partner network
Formal partnerships with universities, refugee education NGOs, and diaspora associations.
Founders
Martin Kuol Kuol Chol
Founder & Executive Director · SSSI
"Save lives with a word. Liberate a society with education."
Martin Kuol Kuol Chol is a South Sudanese writer, education advocate, and aspiring economist. His work explores the social, economic, and public issues shaping South Sudan, with a focus on truth, unity, and equal opportunity.
He believes education is one of the most powerful tools for building stronger communities and a more prosperous nation. In his writing and public commentary, he speaks across the lines that too often divide South Sudanese communities, insisting that national unity and honest leadership matter more than ethnic loyalty.
He founded SSSI from that conviction. For Martin, access to education is not just a personal opportunity — it is a public good. He built the institute to give South Sudanese students the clear, accurate, and practical guidance they need to compete for scholarships and university places around the world, and to equip a new generation to serve their country with knowledge and integrity.
Writer
Explores social, economic, and public issues affecting South Sudan with clarity and truth.
Education advocate
Believes education is one of the most powerful tools for building stronger communities and a more prosperous nation.
Aspiring economist
Studies economic and public policy questions to understand what South Sudan needs next.
Jacob Thiep Madut
Co-Founder · Head of Strategy, Content & Community
"We are building a generation of students who will turn struggle into leadership, and education into transformation."
Jacob Thiep Madut is the strategic and creative force behind SSSI's voice, content, and direction. As Head of Strategy and Content, he shapes how SSSI communicates its mission — ensuring that every message, every guide, and every post reflects the seriousness and ambition the platform stands for.
Jacob had not personally navigated the scholarship application process before SSSI was founded. What set him apart was his willingness to learn it completely. He studied Martin's journey from the inside — the research, the decisions, the setbacks — and combined that with his own intensive study of international admissions, scholarship systems, and what actually separates successful applicants from those who give up. He learned quickly, thoroughly, and with purpose.
At SSSI, Jacob is the person who ensures the mission does not stay internal. He translates strategy into content, vision into action, and values into words that reach students where they are. His belief is simple: struggle is not the end of the story — it is the beginning of leadership.
Strategist
Shapes SSSI's direction, messaging, and long-term positioning as a credible youth-led platform.
Content lead
Drives how SSSI communicates — guides, posts, resources — so students always know what to do next.
Self-built
Mastered scholarship strategy through deep independent research and close study of the admissions process.
Leadership team
A small, growing team coordinating mentors, scholarships research, community, and partnerships.
Community Manager
Jacob Thiep Madut
Runs SSSI's community channels, WhatsApp cohorts, and student engagement across the diaspora.
Partnerships Lead
Martin Kuol Kuol Chol
Builds relationships with universities, NGOs, foundations, and donors backing SSSI's mission.
Content & Storytelling Lead
Catherine Adut
Shapes SSSI's voice — the stories, campaigns, and posts that reach students where they are.
Research & Information Coordinator
Anthony Akech Malek
Verifies scholarships, eligibility rules, and deadlines so students get accurate information.
Application Execution Specialist
Achuil Abot Majak
Guides students through applications end-to-end — from shortlist to final submission.
Student Support & Page Operations Coordinator
Renzo Akouch
Front-line student support and day-to-day operations of SSSI's official channels.
Advisory board
Senior advisors guiding admissions strategy, refugee inclusion, diaspora engagement, and how we measure outcomes.
Advisor — Higher Education
Photo coming soon · slot:advisor-1
Advisory Board
Advisor — Higher Education
Senior advisor on admissions strategy and university outreach.
Advisor — Refugee Education
Photo coming soon · slot:advisor-2
Advisory Board
Advisor — Refugee Education
Guidance on inclusion of students from displacement settings.
Advisor — Diaspora Engagement
Photo coming soon · slot:advisor-3
Advisory Board
Advisor — Diaspora Engagement
Connects SSSI to South Sudanese diaspora networks worldwide.
Advisor — Monitoring & Learning
Photo coming soon · slot:advisor-4
Advisory Board
Advisor — Monitoring & Learning
Helps SSSI measure outcomes honestly as the institute grows.
Our values
Honesty
We tell students the truth about their chances — even when it is difficult.
Specificity
Every student receives guidance specific to their profile and goals.
Equity
We prioritize students with the most need and the most potential.
Accountability
We track what we do — and what results follow — openly.
Free at the core
Scholarship information, mentorship, and community resources are free. A few intensive services — test prep, full application support, and school matching — carry a small fee.
Student-led
Students sit at the center of every decision, not at the margins.
Long view
We build for a generation, not for a campaign cycle.
Care
We treat every applicant as a person, not a metric.
Where we are
As a new institute we are publishing targets, not invented results. We will report against these openly.
100+ verified programs
Scholarships catalogued
10 trained mentors
Mentor cohort
12 sessions, all recorded
Live webinars
20+ free guides and templates
Resource library
10 confirmed partner institutions
Partner network
