THE TRUAN TRUST

The Truan Trust is a United Kingdom-registered charity (Charity number 1008373) dedicated to supporting young people in Uganda by providing financial assistance for their education. Established in 1990 and based in Peldon, Essex, the Trust focuses primarily on sponsoring children and young adults who would otherwise be unable to afford secondary or higher education due to financial constraints[3][4].

Mission and Activities

The primary aim of the Trust is to assist young people, particularly orphans and children from disadvantaged backgrounds such as subsistence farming families, to obtain education at various levels, from primary through to university or vocational training[3][4]. Given that Uganda does not offer free secondary education, and the costs for higher education are prohibitive for many families, the Trust provides funding to cover tuition fees, boarding, uniforms, books, transport, and pocket money[3].

The Trust works through local intermediaries in Uganda who manage the distribution of funds and monitor the progress and welfare of the students. Sponsorships may be undertaken by individuals or groups, and the Trust currently supports over 160 young people, with a roughly equal number of boys and girls ranging from age 7 to over 20 years old[3][4].

Financial and Operational Model

The Truan Trust operates with no paid employees and holds no property. All funds raised are directed entirely to support the educational needs of the beneficiaries in Uganda. The Trust benefits from transfer services provided by Barclays Bank, which sends money to Uganda without charges, enabling more efficient use of donations[3][4].

The charity also encourages sponsors to maintain contact with their sponsored children through letters, which fosters meaningful relationships and helps sponsors stay informed on their progress. Alumni who have completed their education and gained employment often contribute back to the Trust to support new students[3].

History and Geographic Focus

Founded and run by Brian Truan, the charity initially extended assistance in Lesotho and Malawi alongside Uganda. In recent years, however, the Trust's efforts have been concentrated almost exclusively in Uganda[4].

Support and Fundraising

The charity actively seeks new sponsors, part-sponsorships, regular and one-off donations, as well as legacies. It accepts all levels of contribution to maximize its impact, though demand for sponsorship and assistance currently exceeds available resources[3][4].

Summary

The Truan Trust exemplifies a focused educational charity channeling all resources directly to support vulnerable youth in Uganda, enabling them to pursue education that significantly improves their life prospects[3][4].

[1] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/about-the-register-of-charities/-/charity-details/1008373 [2] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/about-the-register-of-charities/-/charity-details/1008373/full-print [3] https://truantrust.wordpress.com [4] https://truantrust.wordpress.com/about-the-trust/ [5] https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/the-truan-trust