Threat of Starvation Mounts as Hunger Crisis Swells in South Sudan

October 11, 2022

A hunger crisis of disastrous proportions continues to brew in South Sudan, where more than 8 million people face severe food insecurity. Ongoing civil unrest and weather extremes from floods to drought have ravaged the nation’s food supply. Worsening the conditions are skyrocketing prices from the war in Ukraine and cutbacks by the World Food Program, which come at the worst time for this nation already under threat of widespread starvation. PBS exposes the dire conditions in this special report.

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Khalis

October 11, 2022

Dr. Tom Helps Young Boy Walk Again

Every day, Dr. Tom Catena works around the clock to save lives at Mother of Mercy Hospital – a facility supported by Sudan Relief Fund that offers hope to more than 100,000 patients each year who would otherwise go without needed medical treatment.

They come for many miles, traversing hours of difficult terrain to reach this remote destination in the Nuba Mountains. As Founder and Medical Director of the hospital, and its only surgeon for many years, Dr. Tom has seen it all.

Some patients particularly touch this veteran surgeon’s heart. Recently he shared the story of a boy named Khalis.

Khalis was a strong and healthy teenager. One day he was dismayed to discover that his leg began to swell. Not only was this concerning, it also brought debilitating pain.

He searched for answers at his local clinic, but none of the treatments helped. In a very short time, he went from a robust teenager to being unable to walk without assistance.

For an entire year, Khalis simply endured the pain and made do with one functional leg. However, soon his good leg also began to swell. This devastating discovery led him to make the long trek to the Mother of Mercy hospital to seek help.

Khalis at last finds the help he needed at Mother of Mercy Hospital.

“He came to us in rough shape,” said Dr. Tom. When Khalis arrived, he was diagnosed with osteomyelitis, a severe bacterial bone infection that had set in. He needed a blood transfusion, and he required surgery on both legs to get rid of the infection and all affected bone tissue.

Thanks to Dr. Tom’s skillful expertise, the surgeries were successful. Soon Khalis will leave his wheelchair behind and graduate to crutches. “While his path to healing is long, it brings me joy to share that a full recovery is on the horizon,” Dr. Tom reported.

Khalis continues to improve and inspires the staff daily with his resilience. “Witnessing Khalis’s progress is remarkable,” Dr. Tom continued. “His spirit of joy is infectious, and happiness radiates from his smile. He’s made a profound impact on my entire team.

“I wish you could witness the impact you’re making on people living in the Nuba Mountains in person,” Dr. Tom expressed. “Because of your generosity, patients like Khalis are receiving the treatment they need to feel whole again.”

Stories like this are possible because of your support to the Mother of Mercy Hospital through the Sudan Relief Fund. Your gifts are changing lives and bringing hope every day to patients like Khalis and many others. Thank you for partnering with us to save lives.

Would you like to pray for us? Sign up for our email prayer group to receive weekly emails sharing important needs to pray for. You’ll join a faith community around the globe praying to bring hope and help to suffering people in this forgotten part of the world. Click here to find out more.

Sister Orla Celebrates 25-Year Jubilee with Loreto Rumbek

October 11, 2022

School Makes Strides to Promote Girls’ Education

Celebrating an Incredible Servant

September 17 marked a day of celebration as members of the Loreto Congregation honored Sister Orla Treacy, Director of Loreto Rumbek Schools, on her Silver Jubilee. For more than 25 years Sister Orla has served the congregation and community, demonstrating her dedication and commitment to sharing God’s love with the people of South Sudan. Some of Sister Orla’s family members were present for the landmark occasion. Sister Orla recalled many joys and struggles during the past 25 years, but noted how God’s grace has brought her through all of it, and she remains focused on the future.

Leaders and Trendsetters in Education

Graduates of the Loreto School for Girls continue to debunk myths and transform stereotypes about women’s education in their country. There are currently thirty female students pursuing higher education in Nairobi, and others attending universities throughout East Africa. We thank the donors of Sudan Relief Fund who support Loreto Schools and are laying the foundation for a brighter future for girls in this nation.

We thank the donors of Sudan Relief Fund who support Loreto Schools and are laying the foundation for a brighter future for girls in this nation.

High Achievers

Students at the Loreto Schools receive a high quality education, which is reflected by the fact that they continue to turn out some of the highest test scores in their state and country. Results of the senior exams were recently released for the Class of 2021-2022, and students from Loreto School for Girls occupied five of the top ten spots in their state. One Loreto student achieved the number one score in the state and placed in the top ten nationwide.

Loreto Health Clinic Expands Outreach

The outreach program of Loreto’s Mary Ward Healthcare Clinic is now serving seven villages in the surrounding community and assisting growing numbers of people. Because of the high demand, the clinic holds outreaches twice weekly for many vulnerable community members who can’t afford medical treatment. The clinic was also one of the only facilities in the region to remain open to serve the public through the duration of the pandemic.

One of the clinic’s highest priorities at present is their nutrition program, to combat the escalating population of malnourished children. This month the clinic enrolled its third intake of at-risk children into the program. These 57 children will come to Loreto Clinic several times over the next three months to participate in the nutrition program, with a goal of reaching healthy wellness objectives by the time they have completed it.

Marching for Peace

Senior students participated in a peace solidarity walk known as the Peace Pilgrimage. It is an annual event at Loreto that gives students an opportunity to go to a different community to enhance their understanding about peace and the people around them. It is also a time to reflect on the country’s challenges and spend quiet time with God. This year they went to Rumbek-East. The seniors were accompanied by the director, priests, sisters, teachers, and were blessed with a beautiful day for the event.

Roi Bullen

September 8, 2022

Woman Persecuted for Being Barren
At Last Receives Mercy and Compassion

“Sudan Relief Fund is a true manifestation of the love of Christ to the people of South Sudan. Many people have lived, and continue to live, a dignified life because of the huge impact Sudan Relief Fund has made in the lives of the marginalized.” – Fred Otieno

Roi Bullen had the odds stacked against her. Today in her sixties, she resides in a community supported by Sudan Relief Fund where people living with HIV/AIDS can receive the help they need without being ostracized.

When Roi was just 14 years old, she was given in marriage. But as time went by, she and her husband had no children. Roi was accused of being barren – a torturous label for a woman to bear in her culture. She suffered ongoing abuses from parents, siblings, and friends. She was considered of no value to society – of less worth than an animal.

In 2004 she learned she had contracted HIV/AIDS, and two years later her husband died from the illness. Roi’s persecution intensified. She was beaten on a daily basis by her husband’s relatives, ostracized, and in accordance with the Azande culture, sent away homeless.

The open air of this meager shelter caused Roi to suffer from ongoing malaria, coughs in the cold temps, and let poisonous snakes enter at night.

Roi eked out a meager survival living homeless, until a nephew offered her a piece of land in his compound to construct a small shelter. What you see in the photo[1] is everything Roi possessed. Due to the open air walls, she was often sick from malaria and contracted coughs in the cold night weather. She was also at constant risk of snake bites from the poisonous breeds that emerge at night. But at least she had a roof over her head.

Now with the support of Sudan Relief Fund, Roi has finally found the compassion she always deserved but never experienced. Roi has a brand new brick construction house[1] with a door that closes to keep snakes and mosquitoes out at night. She received clothing, food support, and medical treatment. Roi also benefits from counseling and psychosocial support, which makes a significant difference in rehabilitating her from the trauma she’s experienced. She now lives a dignified life. And as you can see in the photos, she even smiles these days.

These stories are made possible by your support of Sudan Relief Fund. Thank you for partnering with us to save lives.

Children Living on the Edge of War

September 7, 2022

Over 50 Years Serving South Sudan’s Orphans

Sister Bianca Bii has seen the effects of warfare since she was 12. She knows better than most the effects it has on children. As a young woman, Sister Bianca took it upon herself to begin looking after orphans she knew had lost their parents from violence, famine, or disease. Eventually, she made a formal request with her bishop to start a home for orphans and her request was granted.

It’s been over 50 years now since Sister Bianca began her mission. Today she remains at St. Bakhita’s Orphanage, named for the patron saint of South Sudan who despite experiencing horrific violence, never lost her humanity and goodness. Our team visited the orphanage on their recent trip to South Sudan to assess the current situation.

Holding On With Your Help

Somewhere around eighty now – Sister Bianca doesn’t know her exact birthdate – she continues to overcome numerous challenges to take care of children at St. Bakhita’s. The needs of the orphanage are met in large part thanks to Sudan Relief Fund donors – you who faithfully support her work and provide a family for orphans.

After a difficult year that included a temporary stay in a refugee camp when fighting was at its worst, Sister Bianca and the children are living at the orphanage again. At times, fighting can be heard just outside their gates. But Sister Bianca says “No one has ever entered through those gates.” She tells how she put up a cross at the entrance and trusts in the Lord to protect them.

Current Conditions

For a short period of time, the government sent troops to guard the orphanage. The troops remained for a week, but since departed and have not been called back. The fact they aren’t needed right now is welcome news to the residents of St. Bakhita’s.

There are currently 75 children living here, along with elderly who came during the fighting, because they weren’t strong enough to flee. Sister Bianca welcomes them, too, including some who are blind.

Because the regional fighting has lessened, she says many who took refuge at their facility have gone back home to areas like Yambio, Ezo, and Source Yubu.

Sister Bianca’s Wishes

Sister Bianca’s wishes are that her children will stay safe from violence, have food, clean water, sanitary conditions, and she hopes they can receive an education. But she remains thankful to Sudan Relief Fund for providing all of their needs.

Your Help Is Vital

This year our donors provided the means to get Sister Bianca and the children through a very challenging time. “We are very grateful,” she says solemnly. She recalls how emergency food funded by donors kept them alive during the shortage. When Sister Bianca and the children were in the displacement camp, relief supplies from the World Food Program weren’t enough for the massive numbers of people. Sister Bianca said she and the 75 children she takes care of wouldn’t have lived through that experience without the extra food Sudan Relief Fund made available to them.

Give Them A Safer Home

That’s the critical difference you’re making. For the St. Bakhita’s family this past year, your help made the difference between life and death. Please know your support continues to be absolutely vital. It is Sudan Relief Fund’s goal to relocate Sister Bianca and the children to a newer facility in a safer area, with greater resources available to them. But we need your help to make that happen.

If you’re not currently a sponsor, and would like to give monthly to help the needs of the children at the orphanage, please sign up as a supporter today. Any gift to help St. Bakhita’s Orphanage will make a difference. Thank you for your faithful support that is a literal lifeline for Sister Bianca and these children.

HELP ORPHANS HERE

Loreto Schools Produces First Female Lawyer Alum

September 7, 2022

Graduates Fight Stigmas and Overcome Stereotypes in Women’s Education

Loreto Schools boasts its first female graduate who has gone on to achieve her law degree. Elizabeth Adak is a Class of 2014 alumna from Loreto School for Girls. She worked through Loreto’s internship program after graduation to secure a loan to attend law school. She graduated last year with her Bachelor’s Degree.

Recently Ms. Adak passed the Bar Exam, completing the final hurdle to realize her dream of becoming a lawyer. Loreto hails Elizabeth as a trailblazer and an example of Mary Ward’s vision that “In time to come, women will do great things.” Ms. Adak also serves on the Board of Management in Loreto Rumbek. Loreto Schools is proud to have been a vital part of Elizabeth’s path to achieving this triumph.

Paving the Way

Female graduates of the Loreto School for Girls are continuing to overcome stigmas and blaze new trails for women’s education in their country. Currently there are more than twenty female scholars who graduated from Loreto and are attending different universities across East Africa. Director of Loreto Schools, Sister Orla, recently traveled to Kenya to meet with these students. The purpose was to discuss challenges the students face and the best paths to address them moving forward.

Sister Orla and the graduates never cease to credit the donors of Sudan Relief Fund who support Loreto Schools and play an integral role in advancing education for girls in South Sudan.

Fighting Gender Based Violence

A delegation of students from Loreto Secondary School had an opportunity to meet with the UN in preparation for the celebration of Elimination of Gender Based Violence Day. The students learned strategies for promoting peace, harmony, and equality among citizens as the route to true development and successful eradication of gender based violence.

The group was able to return to school and share what they had learned with the other students. Tragically, gender based violence is an ongoing threat to women and girls in countries like South Sudan. Loreto Schools is committed to taking every step possible in the quest to change this cultural scourge and protect the safety of women and girls.

Work Hard then Play Hard

Just before heading off to their much anticipated mid-term break, students and faculty alike enjoyed Sports Day – a highly popular event at Loreto Schools. Sister Orla shared that sports are a prized and important part of the students’ activities. On Sports Day, both students and faculty take part in a number of friendly matches and competitions. Everyone has the opportunity to participate and no one is left out – providing a fitting way to celebrate after mid-term exams and enjoy a sendoff to their holiday.

South Sudan Leaders Postpone Elections

September 2, 2022

Transitional Government to Remain in Place Two More Years

The government of South Sudan announced the nation will not be having elections this year, and the current government will remain in place until February of 2025.

The ruling president, Salva Kiir, will continue to share the provisional government with acting deputy and former rebel leader, Riek Machar – an arrangement that extends the peace agreement reached in 2013 between the two factions, designed to end a civil war that erupted shortly after South Sudan’s independence.

President Kiir said at a signing agreement in the capital city of Juba that the move is not intended to eliminate elections but merely postpone them. The action is reportedly taken in an effort to avoid an outbreak of widespread violence amid the nation’s current divides and instability.

“We are not extending the transitional period because I want to stay in government forever,” Kiir said, addressing concerns. “I do not want to take you to elections than can cause crisis.”

South Sudan is the world’s youngest country, achieving independence from its northern neighbor in 2011. Since then, the much anticipated liberty has been elusive for its people and the nation has been plagued by internal violence and economic woes. Read more here.

A Nation Divided

September 2, 2022

Officials Fear Escalating Violence Will Hinder Humanitarian Aid Efforts

In a nation marked by more conflict than peace in its brief history, solutions to quelling the violence in war weary South Sudan remain elusive.

Marauding militias and armed communal youth groups growing in numbers threaten to soon outgun the nation’s own defense forces, jeopardizing the work of humanitarian groups throughout the region. This instability prevents crucial aid deliveries – food relief and medicines greatly needed by much of the population.

Yakani said the violence is “undermining the genuine implementation” of the 2018 peace agreement, which was meant to bring stability between the opposing forces backing President, Salva Kiir versus Vice President, Riek Machar.

“The country is breaking into pieces…”

While the two reigning politicians are said to work in relative peace in the capitol, some portions of the country have erupted in violent outbreaks. 2022 has already been a deadly year for the nation, with over 200 people killed in the month of June alone.

Some analysts say the violence escalated after the cancellation of Pope Francis’ planned visit to South Sudan, which was hoped would “encourage faith in a country damaged by years of war.”

The trip was canceled due to the Pope’s ongoing knee problem, and the Vatican’s Secretary of State, second-ranking Cardinal Pietro Parolin, was sent in his place.

Other conflicts result from cattle raids or deeply entrenched tribal hatred. Nicholas Haysom, UN representative to South Sudan, told the Security Council last month more than 80% of civilian casualties this year are “attributed to intercommunal violence and community-based militias.” He noted the scale the conflict has reached is “alarming.”

James Akot, a political science scholar in Juba, agrees. “The country is breaking into community defense forces that can actually overpower our army soon.”

~~https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/explosion-violence-south-sudan-threatens-peace-pact-86997353~~

Experience Team’s Trip to South Sudan on Video

September 1, 2022

In case you missed our recent live webinar, or would like to revisit this inspiring content once more, you can now experience the Sudan Relief Fund team’s recent trip to South Sudan on video.

In his webinar, Matt Smith, Senior Vice President, presents highlights of his 2022 summer visit. You’ll see pictures, hear stories, and learn the most recent updates on the projects you support.

In the video, you will see stops along the way as the team experienced them. Some of these include:

Malou Leper Colony
Sisters of Charity Orphanage
Loreto Girls School
Saint Bakhita’s Orphanage
Displacement Camp at Ave Maria Parish
St. Theresa’s Hospital
St. Clare’s Home for Children
Mother of Mercy Hospital

You’ll also see or hear from some of our dedicated partners on the ground, like Dr. Tom Catena, Sister Orla, Sister Bianca, Father Avelino, Bishop Kussala, and others.

Thank you for your faithful support of Sudan Relief Fund. It’s you – our donors – who make all the help you see here possible. We hope you enjoy this video experience.

News

Threat of Starvation Mounts as Hunger Crisis Swells in South Sudan

Khalis

Dr. Tom Helps Young Boy Walk Again

Sister Orla Celebrates 25-Year Jubilee with Loreto Rumbek