When hospital work becomes a test of faith

Dr. Tom Catena moved to Sudan in 2008 to work as a surgeon in a remote rebel-held territory. He currently leads the Mother of Mercy Hospital in the Nuba Mountains of South Kordofan, Sudan. Catena’s 435-bed facility is the only referral hospital in a region of roughly a million Sudanese. Indiscriminate bombing by the Khartoum government has terrorized the region’s Nuba people and blocked their access to aid.

Catena admits that the mental strain of his work has tested his faith. “Why do these kids die, innocent people?” he says. “We just have to stay faithful, you know, and just keep at it.”

Catena spoke to The Christian Science Monitor about his work and the forces shaping Sudan, one of the world’s least developed countries.

What do your morning prayers accomplish for the rest of your day?
I think for me I have to remind myself every day that God is in charge. I need that daily reminder. I need that schedule and that discipline where every day there’s something I can do and look forward to.

Within this plural religious community, have you found that your faith has evolved?
Yes. You know faith always does better in areas of high stress. You don’t even know day to day if you’re going to survive. Faith becomes much more real, when you really have to depend on God for everything, for survival. I would say my faith has grown tremendously. It’s much more difficult to maintain your faith in this (American) society, the stress and anxiety is unbelievable. It is different from the physical threat that you feel all the time (in Sudan).

What would it take for you to leave the Nuba community, if anything, at this point?
When I went there 10-and-a-half years ago, my idea was to stay until [the hospital] could stand on its own with Nuba staff, and we’re still not there yet. I think we have four people in medical school now; that’s kind of the last link. With these guys, the catch is we’ve got to get them interested and make sure they stay. If they take off, then we’re back to zero.

You have been a vocal critic of [Sudan’s long-serving President] Omar al-Bashir, sometimes against your colleagues’ advice. Why?
If you’re in a situation that’s as egregious as ours was, when you’re being bombed and you’re watching civilians being maimed every day by artillery shelling or air bombardments, you really do have an obligation to say something. Because we’re there as a witness. They can squelch a Nuba person who’s speaking out, because they don’t really have a voice on the outside, and they can use propaganda and everything else, but if an unbiased – hopefully unbiased – foreigner is there, it’s a little more difficult. I think through some connections we had we were able to get that word out.

The fear is that if you make too much noise, you’ll be punished for it. These guys bombed us twice; they bombed our hospital. In the previous civil war they bombed hospitals routinely; it was not a big deal for them.

But I do think the converse is true: If you speak out, it makes it a little more difficult for them to do it because now people are aware, and as much as they don’t care about human life, they don’t want to be perceived by the international community as being brutal. They want us out of there, because it’s a big morale boost for the soldiers, for the people there.

Read the rest of Dr. Tom’s interview here.

Scholarship Program Gives 91 Orphans a Jump Start to Education

91 orphaned and abandoned children received a jump start to their education and earned their kindergarten graduation certificate.

The children enrolled at St. Joseph’s Nursery School in Narus, South Sudan are part of a scholarship program, which was funded by the generosity of Sudan Relief Fund supporters.

But for these students, the school is so much more than just a positive learning environment. It’s also a place they call home.

“Most of the children have lost their beloved parents during the war, making them homeless for quite a long time, and some are were victims of human trafficking in Turkana, Kenya, which is so sad and painful,” says Bro. James Othembi.

The school, run under the care by the St. Martin de Porres Brothers, not only provides orphaned and abandoned children with school supplies such as books, pens and paper, but also the most basic necessities needed to survive.

Clothing, footwear, meals, and accommodations with beds and mattresses are just a few items that each child is given. It is through the kindness of Sudan Relief Fund donors that these poor children have a roof over their head who would otherwise have nowhere to live. We are so thankful that these orphans are being cared for, nurtured, and have loving teachers to act as positive role models.

“Thank you for making the children feel loved, cared for, and stress free. Because of your support, these children were able to receive an education instead of going to refugee camps in Uganda. Most of the students are able to remain here due to your support, making them feel that they are at home.”

On behalf of the children, we want to thank you for your continued support and providing hope for a better future. Please send a generous gift to ensure that more underprivileged orphans receive the same quality care, a safe haven, and the opportunity to jump start their education.

Sudan Relief Fund Delivers 11 Tons of Medicine

Thanks to the generosity of our incredible donors, we were able to fund the purchase and delivery of 11 tons of lifesaving medicine for Dr. Tom Catena and his staff at the Mother of Mercy Hospital! Hundreds of boxes are currently on the way to Gidel and will arrive at the hospital by New Year’s Day. Our partner on the ground, Comboni Brother Bernhard Hengl, has arranged for an 80ft truck due to the enormous amount of medicine being delivered. The Sudan Relief Fund, and every person associated with the hospital, are so grateful for the support of friends like you. This could not have been possible without your charitable gifts.

We wish you blessings and joy this holiday season!

A Warm Thank You from Bishop Kussala

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

This Thanksgiving, we’re thankful for you, and all of our incredible donors, who enable us to provide help, peace, and hope for a better future in the world’s youngest nation.

Each day, your big heart continues to reach these suffering people, making it possible for us to feed the hungry, heal the sick, clothe the naked, and shelter the homeless.

Because of your kindness, our partners on the ground are able to continue God’s work and make this war-torn region a much brighter place. We are all very grateful for your generosity, and we thank you for opening your heart to those in need.

One of our key partners, Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops in Sudan and South Sudan, wanted to take this opportunity to send his deepest gratitude to all of our generous donors and for keeping his people in your prayers.

We wish you and your loved ones a Happy Thanksgiving. Thank you again for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Neil A. Corkery
President

My Recent Trip to South Sudan – Part 3

There is a very limited number of medical doctors available in Africa—and Dr. Jon Fielder is one of them.

He’s been a medical missionary in Malawi and Kenya since 2002 and co-founded the African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), a charity that supports mission hospitals in Africa. I had the pleasure to meet with him during my visit to Nairobi, Kenya, where he directs AMHF and sees patients at Maua Methodist Hospital.

Twice a year, Dr. Fielder visits our partner and great friend Dr. Tom Catena at Mother of Mercy Hospital. It’s one of the only hospitals available in the remote, war-torn Nuba Mountains with a population of 750,000 people. From amputations to cancer, Dr. Tom treats every illness or ailment imaginable without running water, and with limited supplies. His work is nothing short of a miracle, and without the generous support of our donors, Dr. Tom wouldn’t have the medicine or medical supplies needed to heal his patients.

To truly prepare for a sustainable future, AMHF will be coordinating with Dr. Tom by ordering medicines for Mother of Mercy Hospital, ensuring that he receives more access to lifesaving aid. Because of your charity, our organization was able to commit to funding medicine and provide logistical assistance to help with their efforts. Dr. Tom often works from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week, and desperately needs this medicine to help treat nearly 500 patients per day! Your kind donations are helping not only to sustain this hospital and provide a consistent supply of emergency aid, but also save thousands of lives.

We will never abandon those who are suffering, and we can’t thank you enough for your unwavering generosity and your continued support!

Sincerely,

Neil A. Corkery

President

SRF Director of Operations David Dettoni honored by Westmont College

Sudan Relief Fund’s Director of Operations was honored in September by his college alma mater. David Dettoni won Westmont College’s prestigious Global Service Award. Each year the Santa Barbara, California school “honors an individual who demonstrates devoted service to God’s kingdom through international, missionary or non-profit work by living a faithful Christian life in a diverse, complex and quickly changing society as a citizen and servant of the world.”

Mr. Dettoni is well-deserving of this award. He has spent much of his adult life in tireless service to others. Prior to taking on the position of SRF’s Director of Operations five years ago, he served in Germany with TSA Stiftung fur Afrika, was Director of Operations and Outreach at the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), and a Senior Legislative Assistant to Representative Frank R. Wolf.

Congratulations David! SRF is blessed to have you directing our efforts us to improve the lives those suffering in the Sudan region.

My Recent Trip to South Sudan – Part 2

Among the 275,000 refugees living in Bidi Bidi, the majority have helplessly watched their families, neighbors and friends be shot and killed by armed forces, have become a victim of sexual violence, and have witnessed some of the most horrific events that are too cruel to even describe.

So many of these innocent families have lost more than just their loved ones—they’ve lost everything.

Their homes, jobs, and freedom have been taken away.
Their safety, security, and dignity have been stolen.
Every morning they wake up in fear because their hope has been destroyed.

Life is hard for these refugees, and living in Bidi Bidi doesn’t make it easier.

During my visit to the camp, I met some graduates of a trauma healing program on-site. Since despair is one of the biggest problems in the camp, providing long-term support is critical to helping refugees heal.

The violence often brings vengeful habits; many young boys will join gangs and get involved with drugs and sexual violence. But through counseling, these victims are learning to cope and are slowly recovering from the abuse and trauma they’ve experienced. Many of these young refugees say they are now hopeful about the future and have made significant improvements in their lives.

In the face of poverty, death, and violence, these victims also rely on the clergy to protect and bring stability into their lives. Here, dozens of churches spread across the camp to provide emotional healing. I stopped by two of the nine churches built by Samaritan’s Purse and met with Fr. David Ebuale and Fr. Robert Ayokio—the only two Catholic priests working full-time in the camp.

Fr. David begged for help and said all he needs is housing for priests, which has been a major challenge. Bidi Bidi doesn’t have secure shelter for priests when they visit, so they are unable to stay full-time and assist Fr. David and Fr. Robert.

But with your kind gifts, the Sudan Relief Fund has agreed to fund a house, so priests will finally be stationed nearby to lend their support. Your generosity is the only reason this was made possible!

Because of you, these traumatized victims will receive much needed healing after experiencing unimaginable pain.

Neil A. Corkery
President, Sudan Relief Fund