Archive for the ‘News’ Category
Spring 2010 Newsletter
In this issue:
- Grants Invite Partnerships
- Help Save Trees and Resources
- Parish Grants Awarded
- “I have a dream”
- Reversing the Brain Drain into a Brain Gain
- Partners Step Forward
Willing and Ready
Weeds are growing, the yard and house need sprucing up – painting, digging, washing, and cleaning. Sudanese in San Jose have been laid off because of the economic down turn and are facing pressures of not only supporting themselves and their education but family members back in Africa. They are open to one day jobs but are looking for jobs in sales, office management, child and elder care, on-going maintenance and repair work.
Don’t wait to get a jump on spring,
email jdrino@hopewithsudan.org or call the Hope of Sudan Office (408) 251-2059 to line up one of the young menor women to take on your projects.
Bol Deng Bol Graduates!
A Great Achievement – Bol Deng Bol Graduates!
My Name is Bol Deng Bol. I was born in Southern Sudan in Kongor and came to USA in September 2001 as a refugee,and currently an American citizens residing in San Jose California/USA. I graduated from De Anza college in 2005 with AA degree in Liberal Arts with emphasis in Math/science and engineering,and a recent graduate from San Jose State University in December 17th,2009 with BS degree in Business Administration with concentration in Marketing and Minor in Economics.
After this great achievement, I am pursuing Master of Business Administration studies to have a competitive skills in business administrations that I can use in the business of today.
Winter Appeal Letter
Dear Partners in Hope With Sudan,
As the season of renewal and hope comes upon us we are grateful that you are a part of the particular hope that is growing in the lives of dozens of Sudanese children living in exile in Africa. Read more»
Peter Nyok & Sudanese Youth Opportunity
In September the Board established the Sudanese Youth Opportunity program to give Peter Nyok the separate opportunity to raise funds for the 58 orphans which he has brought to Kenya.
Learn more at SudaneseYouthOpportunity.org
Student – Kur John Aleu
Dear Sponsors,
Receive my cordial greetings to all of you in the name of our lord Jesus Christ. I am very much thankful to almighty father God for his kindness, mercy, protection and forgiveness plus all that he does to all of us. It is because of his mercy that we are able to live up to now not because we are faithful to him. Read the rest of this entry »
Appeal for Political Action
Sudan is steadily moving towards the renewal of the civil war which has consumed that country for over fifty years. The Church in the Sudan stands as the largest civil institution advocating peace and reconciliation. What is at stake are the lives of the Christian majority in the south with five million Episcopalians, seven million Roman Catholics and a half million Presbyterians, Lutherans, Methodists and Pentecostals making up 90% of the population. Read the rest of this entry »
The Martyrs of Sudan Icon Fundraiser
Awer Bul, artist and one of the Lost Boys of Sudan, was commissioned by Hope With Sudan executive director, Jerry Drino, to paint the Martyrs of Sudan icon on a large 3′ by 4′ canvas.
Purchase your copy & support projects in Sudan:
Soon, copies of the icon can be purchased online in a variety of sizes & formats. Proceeds support development projects in Sudan.
Check back later for more information.
Background on painting:
An ancient saying goes, “that to remember is to find redemption.”
Read the rest of this entry »
Gifts in Many Shapes and Sizes
Hope With Sudan continues to be amazed and gratified by the donations that arrive large and small; Little children giving a few dollars when they hear the stories of the Lost Boys and large gifts that are an accumulation of many small gifts.
Recently we received $2064 from St. John the Baptist Church in Capitola which represented miles of walking and many small donation that were contributed to the Walk-a-thon dedicated to Hope With Sudan. This is the third year they have made this significant effort and we are deeply appreciative of their commitment to the young people in our program. To all who continue to be partners with us in our mission we say “Thank you!”
Gabriel Graduates
Gabriel Makuei Tor arrived as a refugee four and a half years ago from Kenya. He had watched as his friends left in 2001 for the US never thinking that he might never be called. In the meantime he followed his vocation to ministry by teaching English and leading Bible classes for over a hundred Sudanese widows in Nairobi.
Fianlly, his day came to be relocated to San Jose. This last Saturday he graduated from De Anza College with plans to enter San Jose State University in the fall in pre-nursing.
Read the rest of this entry »
AFRECS: Spring 2009 Newsletter
2009 Spring “Connections” on-line magazine of the American Friends of the Episcopal Church in the Sudan.
Using Paypal
Hope With Sudan is streamlining the way we collect donations and relying on technology to take our organization to a new level. We have partnered with PayPal and created a safe and easy way for you to give money to our organization online.
Read the rest of this entry »
Student’s Message
DEAR JERRY,
Well thank you very much Father Jerry.First of all i want to tell you that i received the money that you send to uncle Philip Deng yesterday for my shopping.Uncle gave the money and this is how i spend my shopping.
-3,000 kenya shillings for my new uniform.
-1,500 which he gave me as pocket money but later was used when we were running out of money to buy books and pens.
Read the rest of this entry »
14 people killed in new tribal clashes in Jonglei
By Philip Thon Aleu
April 18, 2009 (BOR) — Murle armed men attacked seven locations in Akobo County today Saturday killing 14 people and wounding 25 others, area Member of Parliament said.
Based on a report he received from Akobo Commissioner Doyak Chol Dhol, Hon. James Ruot, told the Sudan Tribune at his home in Bor Town that Burkamal, Chiban, Chikol, Kony, Kueychar, Ubor and Wit areas came under heavy attacks from Murle tribesmen this morning. Read more>>
Report from Conflict Area of Southern Sudan
Jacob with his wife, Mary, daughter, Aniel, and son Leek
The following is a report from the Rev. Jacob Nhial Guut, one of the Coordinators for Hope With Sudan in Kenya. He recently went on a fact-finding trip back to southern Jonglei State where he was born. The conditions are horrendous as he describes.
Dear Friends,
Receive warm regards in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I hope you are all doing well and healthy breathing. I and my family are doing well through the grace and protection power of Almighty God.
First and foremost, I would like to salute all of you once more. I would like to give many thanks and much appreciation to God for answering your prayers which you offered on my trip to Southern Sudan. Read the rest of this entry »
LINKS Fashion Show Fundraiser
Lost Boys of Sudan Awareness Fashion Show
A special tribut to Sudanese refugees in honor of their enduring bravery courage and hope.
Crisis Appeal Letter – Feb.
Hope With Sudan
Recession has huge impact on our students and families
February 2009
Dear Companions,
Hope With Sudan is in crisis because of the shortfall of donations. A marked decrease in donations this winter has caused us to take drastic measures. Instead of sending funds in late December to pay for the tuition of the Winter Term for our students, we had to tell them to wait in hopes that contributions would arrive in January. Funds did not arrive and now there is a dire need to feed our students.
“The children are really suffering.” These are the words that I dread to hear each time my phone starts ringing at 6:30 AM. When I open my email and see the name of any of our students I know that they have run out of food or the school has expelled the children for failure to pay tuition.
“I am walking the streets in Nairobi to take my mind off the ache in my stomach because I haven’t eaten in three days.” This is what Philip Deng told me in a phone conversation a week ago. Not only have we failed to pay most of the tuitions for our 80 students, but we have not succeeded in providing adequate coverage for food and rent. Most of the landlords are now threatening to lock our children and their care-givers out of their apartments.
As donations arrive I immediately transfer funds to households that our students are a part of, telling them that more will be coming soon. However, I really don’t know if that is the case.
The Board is wrestling with the deep issues that are related to the global recession and how we can continue to sustain some semblance of hope for the Sudanese in our program. Our new board is working on a new scholarship system where we will be able to more closely follow our students’ progress.
The recession in the U.S. economy is causing tsunami to roll across the world. The cost for maze has risen 300% since last spring in Kenya where most of our students seek refuge.
You have been so generous in the past in your support of Hope With Sudan. Our continuing mission is education providing tuition fees and living expenses. At this point we need money for food. I am asking you to continue your commitment to our common mission and if possible increase your giving by 20-25%. Being caught in the harsh reality of the present moment, the deep faith of our students and that of their caregivers gives them a tenuous trust that they can move forward. They consider us to be their American family who will stand with them to find a way through. Please continue to stand with them.
With sincere appreciation for all that you are giving.
Jerry Drino, Executive Director
Send checks made out to Hope With Sudan to: 5038 Hyland Ave, San José, CA 95127 www.hopewithsudan.org
Berkeley International High School Visit
The following email is from a mother of one of the students at Berkeley International High School, Judy Dickman:
Dear Jerry,
I was so touched that you wrote and thanked me for my role in bringing you, James and Peter to Berkeley High School. Since your visit, I have been trying to think of a way to convey to you our deepest gratitude that you were able to come to speak with the students in the Berkeley International High School.
Listening to Peter and James, we were moved not only by their ability to survive and thrive despite the hardships that they have faced in their young lives, but also their willingness to share their stories with strangers. That they took time out of their busy lives to come to Berkeley and share their histories and their future dreams with us was an act of generosity that has enriched all of us. That so many of our students were moved to tears in the short time that you were here speaks volumes about the power of your words, compassion and dedication.
I believe that your visit will have a wide-ranging impact on our students. Many students have written about the how they were moved by the presentation and by Peter’s and James’ message about the importance of education. In a single day you not only told the story of the cruelty and adversity that the Sudanese have suffered halfway around the world but you also opened their eyes to the power that they have as individuals and as a community to face down such injustice. I don’t know in which gardens the seeds that you sowed at Berkeley High last Thursday will flower, but I know that the blossoms will be unique and powerful.
It was an honor meeting you. Please keep in touch and let me know how we can support Hope with Sudan and the Sudanese refugee community in the future.
With great thanks and warmest regards to Peter and James,
Judy Dickman
Hope With Sudan: your dollars go far
Silicon Valley Mom’s Blog
December 15, 2008 article by Alison van Diggelen, host of FreshDialogues
New Year Greeting from Kenya
An eloquent New Year greeting from the Rev. Jacob Nhial Guut in Nairobi, one of our scholars and Hope With Sudan coordinators…
Dear all Friends,
Whatever is warn and inspiring…Whatever means most to you…Whatever makes you smile and brings joy to you… that’s what I wish you this New Year 2009.
Let all that I am praising the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good thing he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things.
My youths is renewed like the eagle’s! The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly. He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel. The Lord is Compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for our sins; and he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.
Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers,we bloom and die. The wind blows, and we are gone- as though we had never been here. But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation exntends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments! The Lord has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything.
Praise the Lord, you angels, you might ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands. Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels who serve him and his will! Praise the Lord, everything he has created, everything in all his kingdom. Let all that I am praise the Lord. O Lord my God, how great you are! you are robed with honor and Majesty.
You are dressed in a robe of light. You stretch out the starry curtain of the heavens; you lay out the rafters of your home in the rain clouds. You placed the world on this foundation so it would never be removed. You clothed the earth floods of water, water that covered even the mountains, At your command, the water fled; at the sound of your thunder, it hurried away.
The people go off to their work, where they labor until evening. O Lord, what a variety of things you made! in wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures. Here is the ocean, vast and wind, teeming with life of every kind, both large and small. See ships sailing along, and leviathan, which you made to play in the sea. They all depend on you to give them food as they need it. When you open supply it, they gather it. You open your hand to feed them, and they are richly satified. But if you return away from them, they panic. When you take away their breath, they die and turn again to dust. When you give them your breath, life is created, and you renew the face of the earth. May the glory of the Lord continue with us in New Year 2009 forever!.
It was wonderful and joyful for me as I keed time without sleeping until the New Year come and to send you this at the same time.
Blessings,
Rev. Jacob Nhial Guut.
New Items in African Crafts Sale
Your purchases benefit our Sudanese Orphan Education Program.
Peter Nyok, Hope With Sudan board member, and one of The Lost Boys, coordinates the program.
Items are handmade by the Massai craft persons in Kenya.
For purchase information, contact awarren@hopewithsudan.org
Morgan Hill Film Festival
San Jose Mercury New Article 11/13/08
Fisher: In Morgan Hill, a festival for the short-film fan
Jerry Drino, an Episcopal priest who works with refugees in San Jose, is bringing some local Sudanese Lost Boys to the screening. Drino shows “Lifestories” …
read article
San Mateo County Library Events
Hope With Sudan is participating in the San Mateo County Reads program.
Our presentation, Songs of the Dinka Tribe, includes a musical performance of traditional songs from the Dinka tribe of Southern Sudan.
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Alliance of Sudanese NGOs
Jerry Drino, executive director of Hope With Sudan, attended a conference in Rochester, NY with several other international organizations. Working together to support Sudan, they began planning a Beach Boys benefit concert on July 9, 2009 during General Convention in Anaheim .
Read entire article & watch video.
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Canon Marc Atem’s October Visit
Marc with his son, Simon
Canon Mark Atem Thuc
Canon to the Ordinary – Diocese of Bor, Sudan
Meet Canon Mark Atem
UPDATE 10/11/08 His trip has been POSTPONED.
Canon Mark is the founding partner in Sudan of our diocesan connection – Hope With Sudan – which began informally in 2003.
Canon Mark carries the title of Commissary of Bor with responsibility for the oversight of the 18 Archdeaneries and the 800 clergy serving 1.5 million Episcopalians in an area half the size of California. None of the clergy are paid. One of the commitments of Hope With Sudan to the Diocese of Bor has been to support him and his family, out of which the larger scholarship program has grown. Now there are 80 students receiving scholarships from Hope With Sudan include five priests and their children.
Canon Mark was the Archdeacon for Kakuma Refugee Camp as it came to being in the early 1980’s to 2002 from with the Lost Boys and Lost Girls were resettled to this country. He has stood fast in his leadership and suffering in the face of almost all the villages of his diocese being destroyed, hundreds of thousands killed or wounded and the whole culture brought to the brink of destruction. He is truly an inspiring witness with his profound faith rooted in the goodness of God, a knowledge that God has not abandon the people and that there is a larger purpose for everyone to fulfill in this life.
For more information, contact Jerry Drino, Executive Director of Hope With Sudan jdrino@hopewithsudan.org (408) 259-2111.
