From humble beginnings in Juba, South Sudan, to a growing force for change across communities — discover the journey behind St. Mary's Global Foundation for Education and Health.
St. Mary's Global Foundation for Education and Health was born from a deep conviction that every person in South Sudan deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and live a healthy life. Based in Juba, the capital of one of the world's newest nations, our foundation was established to address the critical and overlapping challenges of limited access to education and healthcare that affect millions of South Sudanese people every day.
South Sudan gained independence in 2011, but decades of conflict left behind fractured infrastructure, displaced communities, and generations of children who had never seen the inside of a classroom. Health facilities remained scarce, with preventable diseases claiming lives that could be saved with basic medical care and clean water. We saw these challenges not as insurmountable obstacles, but as an urgent call to action.
Our founders — a group of educators, healthcare workers, and community leaders from Juba — came together with a shared belief that education and health are the two foundational pillars of community development. When a child can attend school without hunger or illness holding them back, and when a mother can access prenatal care within her own village, entire communities begin to transform. That belief continues to drive every program we run, every partnership we build, and every life we touch.
Today, St. Mary's Global Foundation operates across multiple states in South Sudan, working hand-in-hand with local communities to create lasting, sustainable change. We are not here to provide temporary relief — we are here to help communities build the capacity to thrive on their own terms, for generations to come.
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The principles at the heart of everything we do, from program design to community partnerships.
To improve the quality of life in South Sudan through sustainable education and health programs that empower communities, build local capacity, and create pathways out of poverty for the most vulnerable populations.
A South Sudan where every community has access to quality education and healthcare — where no child is denied the chance to learn, and no family goes without essential medical care regardless of where they live.
Compassion — We lead with empathy and care for every individual. Integrity — Transparency and accountability in all we do. Sustainability — Programs designed to outlast our presence. Community Partnership — Local voices guide our work.
From our founding in Juba to the communities we serve today, each milestone reflects the dedication of our team and partners.
St. Mary's Global Foundation was officially registered in Juba, South Sudan, by a group of local educators and healthcare professionals determined to address the urgent needs of their communities. Our first initiative provided school supplies and basic health screenings to 200 children in the Munuki area of Juba.
With support from local donors and international partners, we opened our first community learning center in Juba, offering free primary education classes, adult literacy programs, and a safe space for children displaced by conflict. Within six months, enrollment exceeded 350 students.
Recognizing that education alone could not succeed without healthy students, we launched our mobile health outreach program, bringing basic medical care, vaccinations, and maternal health services to rural communities in Central Equatoria State. In its first year, the program reached over 1,500 individuals.
Our programs expanded beyond Juba to communities in Jonglei and Western Equatoria States. We trained 40 local community health workers, established two additional learning centers, and introduced our clean water initiative, installing boreholes in three underserved villages.
We launched a dedicated teacher training program to build local educational capacity, graduating our first cohort of 25 certified teachers. Simultaneously, our scholarship fund enabled 120 girls from rural communities to continue their secondary education, breaking barriers that had kept generations from learning.
Dedicated leaders from South Sudan and beyond, united by a shared commitment to transforming lives through education and health.
Born and raised in Juba, Achol has spent over 15 years in community development across South Sudan. A trained public health specialist, she founded St. Mary's Global Foundation with the conviction that education and health must work together to uplift communities. She oversees all programs and strategic partnerships.
James is a former primary school teacher from Bor who witnessed firsthand how conflict disrupted learning for an entire generation. He leads our community learning centers, teacher training initiatives, and scholarship programs, working closely with local schools to develop curricula that serve South Sudanese students.
Rebecca is a registered nurse and midwife with experience in rural healthcare delivery across Central Equatoria and Jonglei States. She manages our mobile health outreach, maternal care, and clean water programs, training community health workers to ensure care reaches the most remote villages.
We are grateful for the organizations and institutions that support our mission and amplify our reach across South Sudan.