The Refugee Crisis. We've Lived It.

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Born in South Sudan

Gabriel was born in a clinic near the Nile River in 1983. The fact that he was born in a clinic, a rare occurrence in South Sudan, earned him the middle name Akim, which means “doctor” in Dinka, his native tongue. 

Gabriel was among the “Lost Boys and Girls of the Sudan,” over 20,000 orphaned children who were separated from their families due to the civil war. This group trekked enormous distances over a vast unforgiving wilderness, seeking refuge from the fighting. At that time, Gabriel was only 2 or 3 years old, so he was carried by Red Cross volunteers. They traveled on foot from a camp for displaced persons in South Sudan to a UNHCR Refugee Camp in Northern Kenya. Having had to leave his weakened mother behind in South Sudan, he and his brother grew up as orphans in the refugee camp. Gabriel was fortunate to receive a scholarship from UNICEF to attend school in Kenya. After his graduation from high school, he went back to the camp and worked as a teacher. 

16 Years in the Unites States

As an act of humanitarianism, the United States government brought many of the South Sudanese refugees to the United States in 2006. So around the age of 21, Gabriel was resettled to the California Bay Area. Believing that education was of utmost importance, he enrolled at De Anza College right after finding a job and an apartment. 

Gabriel first returned to Africa and visited the South Sudanese refugee settlements located in Uganda in 2011. He was distressed to see the children suffering as he had just a few years earlier. Gabriel came back to the United States resolved to make a difference in the lives of these children. 

In 2018, Gabriel earned his Bachelor of Science degree from San Jose State University with a major in Justice Studies and a minor in Human Rights. His strong hope and life's vocation has become to eliminate illiteracy and bring education to the children and young people exiled to these remote, rural areas of eastern Africa. With determination and compassion, he's taken 11 trips back to South Sudan and Uganda since then to meet with village elders, local school officials and refugees to help facilitate educational needs. 

Prior to creating this nonprofit, Gabriel was personally sending several refugee children to school each year solely through his own donations and personal fundraising. This nonprofit was his way of formalizing and expanding fundraising abilities. "Helping Hands for South Sudan" grew out of his vision and passion and has gained support and involvement of many along the way. With your help, we hope to give back to the people of South Sudan the gift of education they so richly deserve.

In addition to serving as Chairman of the Board of "Helping Hands for South Sudan", Gabriel serves as an Advisor for "Rebuild South Sudan", a non-profit organization working on education in his home community of Kolnyang and the greater Jonglei area (on the Nile). He speaks at events focusing on the plight of South Sudan, letting people know his firsthand point of view and how they can help. He is also overseeing the process of  building a high school in Juba, South Sudan and will continue to work for healing among South Sudanese populations no matter where they are on the globe. 

A Return to Africa

In September of 2022, Gabriel decided it was time to take his family, his knowledge and his vision for a more educated South Sudan back to Africa where he could be closer to what matters most— refugee children hoping to go to school. He and his beautiful wife Roda, along with their five children, feel very blessed to have lived in the United States for 16 years. They became U.S. citizens and had all five of their children in California. They were valued members of Presbyterian Church of Los Gatos and made many friends in America.

The family will make its home in Kakama, Uganda while Gabriel works in both Uganda and South Sudan, furthering the mission of this nonprofit. Refugee camps and partner schools are both in Uganda, and another of our partner schools is in Juba, South Sudan. Having "feet on the ground" will allow Gabriel to be more involved in every aspect of the local needs of students, teachers and administrators. 

Of course, Gabriel will continue working with our Board and those of us who serve the needs of Helping Hands for South Sudan stateside. 

Watch a short video of Gabriel telling his story. 

Email us at helpinghandsforsouthsudan@gmail.com

The organization was founded upon Gabriel Nyok's firsthand knowledge of life as a refugee and his desire to help educate the children of South Sudan. He commitment has inspired many and serves as our guiding light. Working alongside him is our dedicated Board of Directors. They give their time and talents to help further the mission of this nonprofit. It is their responsibility to oversee the organization's activities and steer it towards a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies. 

Constance (Connie) Maurer is a retired Sales Professional from Honeywell International and several other organizations.  She has been an active mentor and board member of Friends for Youth in Redwood City, California for over 20 years.  She is also active in the Kiwanis Club and has served as a board member and president of Woodside Terrace Kiwanis Club of Redwood City.

Like Gabriel, some of the board's advisors are former "Lost Boys and Girls of the Sudan" who through their own escape from adversity developed a strong desire to give back: 

David Anyieth (pictured)

Garang Bol

Paul Kuai

Sri Narasimhan

Not on our board, but a valued member of our team, is volunteer Beth Bordelon, a former advertising agency Art Director, who oversees the development and maintenance of our website and social media platforms.

We look forward to adding more board members from a variety of backgrounds, viewpoints and skill sets. If you are interested in joining our team, please contact Gabriel Nyok at helpinghandsforsouthsudan@gmail.com or (408)723-3320.

Since our charity is based in the United States, it helps to have feet on the ground in the communities we are trying to help. While our Chairman Gabriel Nyok has traveled to Africa multiple times to personally to meet with refugee elders, school officials, and children, volunteers like Isaiah Mayen, Michael Kui, Taban Agau and Samuel Ayuen (pictured) are important contributors in the facilitation of some of the day-to-day local activities. We thank them for their dedication and help.