SDNRLF.COM - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Sudan Relief Fund Partner and Member

Job Titles:

• Partner
• Ameyu Is a Sudan Relief Fund Partner and Archbishop for the Archdiocese of Juba, the Capital City of South Sudan in Central Equatoria State

Archbishop H.G. Stephen Ameyu is a Sudan Relief Fund partner and Archbishop for the Archdiocese of Juba, the capital city of South Sudan in Central Equatoria state. Archbishop Stephen was appointed as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Juba in December of 2019, and later installed as the third Archbishop of Juba in March, 2020, in a ceremony at St. Theresa's Cathedral Parish, Kator. While acting as Metropolitan Archbishop of Juba, he also served as Apostolic Administrator in the Diocese of Torit and Wau. He began his pastoral service in the Archdiocese of Khartoum until being sent on to Rome to further his priestly studies. On completion, he taught Dogmatic Theology at St. Paul's National Major Seminary. Archbishop Stephen has resisted opposition and pushed for peace and reconciliation in both his diocese and country throughout his service. In February, 2023, he hosted Pope Francis during the Pontiff's much anticipated first visit to the young nation of South Sudan. "The peace which our country so badly needs is not a purely human peace based on personal interests, but rather the peace of Jesus," he said in an address to the Pope during the historic visit. The Archbishop partners with Sudan Relief Fund to provide support for our humanitarian projects and activities within his Diocese. "I am very grateful to Sudan Relief Fund for their overwhelming support to different Dioceses in South Sudan," he said. "May you continually be blessed for the good work. God bless Sudan Relief Fund and the donors supporting Sudan Relief Fund."

Job Titles:

• Bishop
• Partner
• Bishop of Rumbek

Sudan Relief Fund is honored to partner with Bishop Christian Carlassare of the Bentiu Diocese. In a recent Q & A, the Bishop shared his faith journey with us, from growing up in rural Italy to where he serves today in Bentiu, in the northern region of South Sudan.

Bishop Stephen has been outspoken in his call for the cessation of violence in South Sudan, and an advocate for the people of Malakal during their crises from violence as well as natural disasters, including the massive flooding in recent years. He is an active partner in coordinating Sudan Relief Fund's many projects in the region. "I am honored and humbled to express my heartfelt gratitude to Sudan Relief Fund," says Bishop Stephen. "The Diocese of Malakal will continue to pray for Sudan Relief Fund and the donors supporting Sudan Relief Fund. Thank you so much and God bless you all."

Job Titles:

• Development Director of the Sudan Catholic Bishops Conference
• Development Director of the Sudan Catholic Bishops Conference / Seminary

Job Titles:

• Treasurer of the Board of Directors

Job Titles:

• Director of Operations
• Executive Vice President
• Director of Operations for Sudan Relief Fund

David Dettoni serves as the Executive Vice President for Sudan Relief Fund. Mr. Dettoni was the Director of Operations and Outreach at the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), a United States Federal Government commission created by Congress to advise the President and the Congress on policies to promote international religious freedom. Mr. Dettoni is considered to be one of the leading experts on the Sudans. He has testified before Congress regarding Sudan and South Sudan and has been interviewed by leading news organizations on Africa policies. Before joining USCIRF, Mr. Dettoni was a Senior Legislative Assistant to Representative Frank R. Wolf. Mr. Dettoni assisted Rep. Wolf in foreign policy, national security, and global human rights initiatives and he was the Co-Staff Director of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus. Mr. Dettoni has a Master's Degree in Theology and a Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy. His Great Uncle and Great Aunt were some of the original victims of aerial bombardment in Sudan when their Missionary medical clinic in Sudan was bombed by the Italians at the outbreak of World War Two. His Great Uncle and Aunt are buried in Sudan.

Job Titles:

• Partner

Job Titles:

• Partner
• Doctor Missionary

For decades the people of the Nuba Mountains have faced hardships - from a hostile government that attempted their genocide to living in an isolated region without access to basic human services. They continually express how thankful they are for Dr. Catena's commitment to saving lives, and how they pray daily for his safety. Due to the way he heals the sick, he has often been called "Jesus Christ." He's been recognized internationally for humanitarian service, but "Dr. Tom" is known in Gidel, Sudan as a local hero. "America has many doctors," the locals say. "But Dr. Tom is ours. We need more people like Dr. Tom." Without Dr. Tom's commitment to the underserved people of Nuba, countless lives would have been lost without his medical skills and local presence. Since 2007, Dr. Tom Catena, a Catholic missionary from Amsterdam, New York, has been the only doctor permanently based in Sudan's Nuba Mountains, serving a population of more than a million people. Dr. Tom has endured times of war, bombings, tuberculosis, many bouts of malaria, around-the-clock shifts, and chose to stay behind when all other humanitarian organizations left. His dedication to providing medical care for those without it is unwavering. As he puts it simply, "If I leave, people will die." Dr. Catena attended Brown University where he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering, but felt called to missionary work. He decided to pursue a medical career instead and attended Duke University School of Medicine on a U.S. Navy scholarship. After graduating, he completed his Navy commitment and later began missionary work in Africa. Dr. Tom volunteered at St. Mary's Hospital in Nairobi for six years before helping establish Mother of Mercy Hospital in Sudan's remote Nuba Mountains. "I asked, ‘where was the greatest need?" he said. The hospital is the only trauma center within a 300-mile radius, and represents a place of hope. Patients have been known to walk for many days to be treated here. One father pulled his son in a wagon for 150 miles to find help for his child. The hospital relies on Sudan Relief Fund for nearly all its medicine and supplies. Dr. Tom treats up to 400 patients a day and remains on call 24/7. Giving up the comforts of the western world, he lives in a small hut adjacent to the hospital so he can respond to emergencies at night. Every year the hospital treats up to 75,000 patients and he performs 1,500 surgeries. Says Dr. Tom, "You stay strong for the next person who needs you." Dr. Tom's vision to expand health care via local satellite clinics is bringing treatment near to those who are vast distances from any hospital. Additionally, his vision of founding a training center at Mother of Mercy has already been graduating new medical professionals, who are ready to staff the clinics and bring medical services to people without. In April of 2023, a resurgence of civil war in Sudan triggered a massive famine, threatening millions with starvation. Dr. Tom and Mother of Mercy Hospital have been instrumental in treating severely malnourished children, as the number of young patients in the children's ward tripled since the war began. Together with supporters of Sudan Relief Fund, Dr. Tom has helped distribute lifesaving nutrition packets to the malnourished, which has played a vital role in saving children from widespread starvation across the Nuba Mountains. For decades the people of the Nuba Mountains have faced hardships - from a hostile government that attempted their genocide to living in an isolated region without access to basic human services. They continually express how thankful they are for Dr. Catena's commitment to saving lives, and how they pray daily for his safety. Due to the way he heals the sick, he has often been called "Jesus Christ." He's been recognized internationally for humanitarian service, but "Dr. Tom" is known in Gidel, Sudan as a local hero. "America has many doctors," the locals say. "But Dr. Tom is ours. We need more people like Dr. Without Dr. Tom's commitment to the underserved people of Nuba, countless lives would have been lost without his medical skills and local presence. Since 2007, Dr. Tom Catena, a Catholic missionary from Amsterdam, New York, has been the only doctor permanently based in Sudan's Nuba Mountains, serving a population of more than a million people. Dr. Tom has endured times of war, bombings, tuberculosis, many bouts of malaria, around-the-clock shifts, and chose to stay behind when all other humanitarian organizations left. His dedication to providing medical care for those without it is unwavering. As he puts it simply, "If I leave, people will die."

Job Titles:

• Sudan Relief Fund Partner

Father Federico Gandolfini is a Sudan Relief Fund partner and missionary priest serving in South Sudan's capital city of Juba. What called you to do mission work? I was called to do mission work due to my obedience to God. His guidance has led me toward those who are in need, and I am extremely happy to be able to spend my days making a difference. How did you end up in South Sudan? I was asked to come to South Sudan in 2015. At the time, I had no idea what South Sudan was like, so I conducted some research online. I was shocked by what I found out: poverty, the political situation, war, hunger, and overall misery and lack of hope. What is the biggest challenge to carrying out your work? One of the biggest challenges is trying to communicate with the people of South Sudan and helping them realize that even though they are extremely poor, they can still give and share with one another. Thankfully, the message has made it through to most of the people, and each day, we see more and more of them sharing what little they have.

Job Titles:

• Partner

Job Titles:

• Partner

Job Titles:

• Partner
• Sudan Relief Fund Partner

Fr. Matthew Remijio is a Sudan Relief Fund partner and Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wau in the western region of South Sudan. He was born and raised in Wau and attended secondary school in Khartoum, Sudan, joining the Comboni Missionaries in 1994. He earned a Diploma in Philosophy from St. Paul's Major Seminary of Khartoum in 1997, continuing his priestly studies in Uganda (Novitiate in Kampala) and Sacred Theology in Lima, Peru, where he graduated magna cum laude and received his Diaconate Ordination in 2003.

Job Titles:

• Representative

Job Titles:

• Country Representative and Program Coordinator, South Sudan
• Representative and Program Coordinator for South Sudan

Fred Otieno is the Country Representative and Program Coordinator for South Sudan. When he first began working with Sudan Relief Fund in 2017, Fred was serving as Acting Director of Management and Integral Human Development for the Sudan Catholic Bishops' Conference. In 2021, he joined Sudan Relief Fund as Program Coordinator. At that time, he was responsible for identifying different interventions and religious projects and linking them with Sudan Relief Fund through our organization's president, Neil Corkery. Since then, his work has expanded to oversee projects across South Sudan, identifying needs and implementing directives. He also serves as financial consultant for St. Bakhita Orphanage in Nzara. Fred is the third born in a family of seven, of Kenyan nationality, and a former Religious Brother. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Sustainable Human Development, and a Master's Degree in Project Planning and Management from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Kenya. Of his work with our organization, Fred says, "Sudan Relief Fund creates a positive transformation in the lives of marginalized people, thereby promoting their human dignity. This is a true manifestation of Christian discipleship. Sudan Relief Fund is a Godly driven organization, and this is my motivation in living the Gospel daily. God bless Sudan Relief Fund and all of the donors who support this organization."

Job Titles:

• Director of Development

Kate Mellon is Director of Development for Sudan Relief Fund, where she has served for more than ten years liaising with donors and managing critical functions of the organization to further its work and illuminate the plight of the South Sudanese. Kate has a BS in Business Management which she earned from George Mason University. She has spent considerable time traveling across South Sudan to gain a broad perspective of the projects funded and the scope of Sudan Relief Fund's work in this nation. Committed to the mission, Kate finds it rewarding to be an integral part of an organization that does so much to save lives and help suffering people in South Sudan.

Job Titles:

• Secretary of the Board of Directors

Job Titles:

• Senior Vice President

Matt Smith serves as the Senior Vice President for Sudan Relief Fund. A graduate of Baylor University and Princeton Theological Seminary, Matt's entire professional career has been spent in the nonprofit sector out of a desire to "help the least of these" (Matthew 25:40). After spending years as a fundraising consultant for a variety of nonprofits, he joined Sudan Relief Fund in 2022 with a goal to bring lasting change to the world's newest country. In his role as Senior Vice President, Matt serves as an advocate for the vision and mission of Sudan Relief Fund and oversees fundraising strategy. He considers it a privilege to bring individuals into close relationship with the organization by connecting their giving to Sudan Relief Fund's work on the ground in South Sudan. In addition, Matt works closely with the President in cultivating partner relationships both domestically and internationally. Above all, he finds joy in listening and learning from others. Please reach out to Matt Smith at msmith@sudanreliefund.com, for questions regarding your donations or ways to support the work of Sudan Relief Fund. Thank you for partnering with us to save lives in South Sudan.

Job Titles:

• President of the Board of Directors

Neil Corkery has served as the President of the Board of Directors of Sudan Relief Fund since 2013. Prior to that he served for eight years as Executive Director of SRF. During his long service to SRF, Neil has traveled frequently and extensively to South Sudan. This has provided him the opportunity to develop close working relationships with the bishops both in Sudan and South Sudan: in particular, the President of the Sudan Catholic Bishops Conference, Bishop Eduardo Kussala; and Bishop Tombe of the Diocese of El-Obeid in the Nuba mountains. Neil has also built effective partnerships with numerous groups working in the country, especially: Solidarity with South Sudan; Aid to the Church in Need; Catholic Medical Missionary Board; and various religious congregations working in the field, such as the Comboni Missionaries, the Jesuits, the Congregation of Christian Brothers, the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans), and various Franciscan communities. In his travels throughout South Sudan, Neil met with many who are impacted by the civil war. He has heard many first-hand stories from caregivers, doctors, relief aid workers, and local civilians to better understand the country's most urgent needs and challenges. With support from donors, Neil is dedicated to providing help, peace, and hope for the future by striving to fulfill immediate needs and aiding in the development of infrastructure necessary for long-term growth and stability.

Job Titles:

• Partner
• Member of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters for Africa

Sister Josephine Mutyembu is a Sudan Relief Fund partner and longtime member of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters for Africa (FMSA), an order of sisters from St. Francis of Assisi who minister to marginalized communities worldwide, particularly in African nations like Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Sudan.

Sister Josephine works with the Franciscan sisters to administer a wide range of service projects in Wau, including distributing food to refugees and internally displaced families, ministering to a leper colony, and serving in primary schools. She is also instrumental in maintaining services and records following the departure of Sister Anne Wandia who was recommissioned to Zambia. Sister Josephine further manages project reporting and stewardship, among performing many other critical services.

Job Titles:

• Partner
• Principal at the Loreto Rumbek Primary and Secondary School

Born in Bray, Ireland, Sister Orla Treacy joined the congregation of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM), known as the Loreto Sisters, after studying to become a teacher of religion. Sr. Orla started her mission in South Sudan after being touched by the plight of girls who were being forced into early marriage and denied the right to an education. In 2006, the Irish nun became a Sudan Relief Fund partner after starting a girls-only boarding school in Rumbek, South Sudan. The funding she receives supports food programs and provides students with meals so they can receive proper nutrition. Today, Sr. Orla serves as Principal at the Loreto Rumbek Primary and Secondary School for at risk girls who would otherwise be out of reach. Sr. Orla is a recipient of the 2019 U.S. State Department International Women of Courage Awards, which recognizes women around the globe who have demonstrated exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for peace, justice, human rights, gender equality, and women's empowerments, often at a great personal risk and sacrifice. Despite the devastating consequences of war in Rumbek, and the many barriers to girls in the community, Sr. Orla remains filled with hope, and the Loreto Schools stand as a beacon of light for future South Sudanese generations.