Contact us: (415) 539-9769
Contact us: (415) 539-9769
The Refugee Crisis. We've Lived It.
South Sudan Was Our Home.
We're highly motivated to help the children of South Sudan because our Founder Gabriel Nyok was a refugee himself, orphaned and forced to flee the ravages of war. Fortunately, he was rescued and brought to the United States, but he remembers what it felt like to want a better life and to be educated. You can read more about his life in the section below.
Lost Boys (and Girls) of the Sudan—Over the years, the civil war in South Sudan drove an estimated 20,000 young boys and girls from their families and villages in southern Sudan. Most of them just six or seven years old, fled to Ethiopia to escape death or induction into the northern army. They walked more than a thousand miles, half of them dying before reaching Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya. The survivors of this tragic exodus became known as the "Lost Boys and Girls of Sudan". Gabriel and some of the organizers of this charitable organization were among them.
The International Rescue Committee and organizations like it helped hundreds of refugees start new lives in cities across the United States. Here they've been able to enjoy peace, freedom and education. But they haven't forgotten the people of their country nor the conditions back home. That's why they've joined hands with others in their communities to create this nonprofit charity , "Helping Hands for South Sudan".
Our Founder and Chairman
Gabriel Akim Nyok
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 of South Sudan. With determination and compassion, he's taken annual trips back to South Sudan and Uganda to meet with village elders, local school officials and refugees in order to 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 now makes its home in Kampala, Uganda while Gabriel works in both Uganda and South Sudan, furthering the mission of this nonprofit. Refugee camps and partner schools are in both Uganda and 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.
In 2023, Gabriel was instrumental in the building of two brand new schools in Juba, South Sudan—The Juba Integrated Elementary School followed by the Juba Integrated High School. Our nonprofit supports most of the students at these schools, about 750 children in 2024, as well as many administrative expenses.
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
Gabriel visiting with children in the Adjumani Refugees Settlement in Uganda, February 2020
Gabriel (far right) with other South Sudanese young people, the day they arrived in the United States, 2006.
Graduating from San Jose State University with a major in Justice Studies and a minor in Human Rights, 2018.
Gabriel with wife, Roda, also from South Sudan
Gabriel and Roda with their five adorable children!
Our Board of Directors
Gabriel Akim Nyok, Founder and Chairman
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. His 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.
Ron Dickel, Secretary/Treasurer
Ron is a recently retired tax vice president from Intel. He has been active with nonprofits, such as serving on the Session (governing body) at Presbyterian Church of Los Gatos, where he served as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee. He also was a director of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary before he moved to Los Gatos, California in 2010.
Constance Maurer, Board Member
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.
Brenda Costanzo, Board Member
Brenda is a retired engineering director from Lockheed Martin. She has been active with service organizations such as tutoring math for Campbell Adult Community Education (CACE) and serving as the chair of the Adult Education Committee at the Presbyterian Church of Los Gatos. She was also recognized as a 2020 Woman of Influence by the Silicon Valley Business Journal.
The Rev. Dr. David G. Watermulder, Advisor
Dave Watermulder is the Pastor and Head of Staff at Presbyterian Church of Los Gatos in Los Gatos, California. After graduating from The George Washington University in Washington DC, Dave served in the Peace Corps in West Africa before feeling called into ministry. He graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2006 and graduated from Portland Seminary in 2020 with a Doctorate in Ministry. Dave served at Providence Presbyterian Church in Rhode Island from 2006 until being called to PCLG in 2012.
While Dave is not officially a Board Member and this nonprofit is not a religious organization, Dave's compassion for the refugee children of South Sudan has led him to take an active role in our work. He not only meets with the Board as a contributor of ideas and opinions but has been to Africa several times to personally be a part of our work there.
Beth Bordelon, Communication
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, social media and visual communications. Previously, Beth worked as an advertising agency art director in New York and Dallas.
Other Advisors
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
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 Board Member Connie Maurer at helpinghandsforsouthsudan@gmail.com or (415) 539-9769.
South Sudanese Volunteers
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.
How You Can Help
Let your hands be Helping Hands. Whether you help through monetary donations or spread our mission through word-of-mouth, thank you. We couldn't accomplish our goals without the help of supporters like you.
We welcome donations of any amount, but a gift of $500 sponsors an entire year of school for a child! Or choose from our list of suggestions:
- $500 One child's education for a year
- $250 Tuition only
- $100 Meals
- $45 Books
- $35 School Uniform
- $30 Transportation
- $25 School Supplies
- $15 National Exam Cost
We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, so your gift is tax-deductible—Tax ID #82-5215402. You may use PayPal, a credit card or debit card using the link below. (As with any PayPal purchase, your transaction is secure.) Check donations may be made payable to Helping Hands for South Sudan and mailed to us at 16575 Shannon Road, Los Gatos, California 95032, USA.
