PEACE & DEVELOPMENT

Letter from the founder

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed contributors, participants, beneficiaries, collaborators, and staff of the organization,

May the peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you all.

On behalf of myself, the Board of Trustees, our dedicated team, and our partners, I am honored to share a summary of our collective journey and achievements over the past two decades. With your unwavering commitment and the grace of God, we have faced challenges and emerged stronger, succeeding together. Today, I am privileged to highlight some of the key milestones made possible by your dedication and support.

For twenty-three years, we have worked tirelessly to build hope and shape the future. Our journey began with a simple yet powerful humanitarian vision in 2002. Today, celebrate the progress we’ve made, and we do so with deep gratitude to God and to all those who have supported our mission in education, health, peacebuilding, and relief.

We believe that education is the cornerstone of progress, health is a fundamental right, peace is essential, and relief is our ongoing humanitarian responsibility. Through these guiding principles, we have made significant strides, and I would like to share some of our achievements with you.

Education: Empowering Minds, Transforming Communities

With the invaluable support of our key partners, including David Frieze and Family, and George Colony, we have made an enduring impact in the field of education:

  • We have directly supported 88,442 primary school students, 682 secondary school students, and hundreds of university students at Subsharan College. These individuals are now equipped to pursue their dreams and contribute to the development of their communities.
  • We have established Women’s Centers in Kassab, Kalama, Abushouk, and Fata Borno Internal Displaced Camps, providing a safe and inspiring learning environment for those in need. These centers serve as sanctuaries for women, offering educational programs, vocational training, and protection for orphaned children, widows, and the elderly. Through these initiatives, we help empower women and ensure they can reintegrate into society with dignity.
  • The Mandola Project, initiated by our organization, has empowered over 8,000 families through the traditional craft of palm frond weaving. These families are now connected to sustainable markets, enabling them to improve their livelihoods.
  • Our Solar Energy Project has provided women with a safe, clean alternative for cooking, using solar-powered ovens and stoves. This initiative not only protects women from the dangers of collecting firewood but also brings them peace of mind, freeing them from the daily hardships they once faced.

Health: A Commitment to Care

In the health sector, our dedication has been steadfast:

  • We launched primary health projects in displacement camps and remote areas, ensuring that the sick and vulnerable receive basic healthcare. We also provided vital training for midwives and first responders, empowering communities to care for themselves.
  • Recognizing the importance of mental health, we have implemented programs to support individuals facing trauma, helping them rebuild their lives and mental resilience.

 

Peacebuilding: Restoring Harmony

Our efforts in building peace and fostering reconciliation in conflict-affected areas have been critical:

  • We’ve partnered with various organizations, including the MacArthur Foundation, the U.S. State Department, and the AU-UN Mission for Darfur, to facilitate workshops and trust-building sessions aimed at resolving conflicts in Sudan. Through these collaborative efforts, we have worked to establish lasting peace, which is the foundation for sustainable development and stability.

Humanitarian Relief: A Lifeline in Crisis

During the current Sudanese crisis, we have been at the forefront of providing much-needed relief:

  • Responding to the call of humanitarian duty, we have provided healthcare in shelters, access to clean water, and essential supplies to those affected by the ongoing conflict. Our efforts have focused on promoting solidarity and offering relief during one of the most challenging times in the region.

These achievements are not just statistics; they are stories of hope, perseverance, and progress. They reflect the smiles of children, the peace of women who have found empowerment, and the futures shaped by your support. For this, I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has played a part in this journey—from our donors and partners who believed in our vision to the staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly on the ground.

Our work is far from over. The challenges are still many, and our aspirations continue to grow. As we look ahead, we remain committed to furthering our mission, knowing that with your continued support, we can accomplish even more.

Finally, I affirm that these milestones are just the beginning. Our resolve is stronger than ever, and we are ready to embark on the next phase of our journey. Together, we can continue to be a beacon of hope, guiding those in need toward a brighter, more promising future.

May God bless all our efforts and grant us continued success in our mission of giving and service to humanity.

May the peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you all.

 

Suliman A Giddo Ph.D. 

Founder and President

Dr. Sabah Al-Shabebi (UAE)

Board Member

Dr. Sabah holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from Sanaa University, Republic of Yemen. She is a certified obstetrician and gynecologist by the Jordanian Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the Arab Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Prior to her current role as Deputy Director of the Modern Medicine Center, she served as an Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist at the Dubai Health Authority, Director General of Sharjah City Medical Center, and Medical Director of the National Center of Modern Medicine. Dr. Sabah is a member of the Emirates Medical Association and currently serves as the Chairman of the Supreme Council of Consulting and Training Group (Five and One Training Centre) within Mohammed bin Rashid’s projects – Government of Dubai. Additionally, she is the Chairman of KENZEL FACILITY MANAGEMENT within Mohammed bin Rashid’s projects – Government of Dubai. Dr. Sabah’s extensive experience and leadership in the medical industry make her a valuable asset to our DPDO organization.

Shiri Kalai

Assistant of programs

Shiri Kalai is an MSPH student in the Social and Behavioral Interventions program for International Health at the Bloomberg School of Public Health. She is completing her practicum with HEAL. In addition to joining the HEAL team, Shiri works with Key Point Health Services helping children in Baltimore City and County with their mental health symptom and behavioral management. She is anative Spanish speaker and is excited to work with Darfur Peace and Development to provide humanitarian relief to those in need!

Maisoon Ateem

Deputy Director of Health Program

Maisoon Ateem, Deputy Director of Health Program Maisoon has over 10 years of experience working in the field of public and global health. She graduated from Johns Hopkins Master of Applied Science (MAS) in Global Health Planning and Management and studied as an undergraduate in Sudan. Upon her graduation with a BA in Medical Science from Sudan University of Science and Technology, she worked for the United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) among other UN agencies and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in Sudan and the USA. Her focus was conflict-affected populations in particular women and Internally Displaced People (IDPs) with special attention on survivors of sexual violence and people living with HIV/AIDs. She has been involved in all stages of emergency and reproductive health design and implementation and dedicates her career to bridging access to quality healthcare at the community and individual levels. A strong advocate for education, Maisoon works to integrate various aspects of her practical and personal experience into helping to make the world a better place for all.

Susan Burgess-lent

Vice President & Director of Operation

Ms. Burgess-Lent began her career in humanitarian relief and development in 1994 and has worked extensively in East Africa. She is the former Program Director of Darfur Peace and Development Organization (DPDO), responsible for the funding and operation of Kassab Women’s Center, the model on which WCI’s work is based. She previously served as a consultant to the African Immigrant and Refugee Foundation (AIF), InterAction, CEPDA, and on staff at the American Red Cross International Services. In 2019, she published the non-fiction book Trouble Ahead: Dangerous Missions with Desperate People, about her work in Africa. She has presented speeches for many organizations about the impact of war and poverty on women, and solutions that can be implemented for their benefit.

Dr. Sabah Al-Shabebi

Board Member

Dr. Sabah holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from Sanaa University, Republic of Yemen. She is a certified obstetrician and gynecologist by the Jordanian Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the Arab Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Prior to her current role as Deputy Director of the Modern Medicine Center, she served as an Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist at the Dubai Health Authority, Director General of Sharjah City Medical Center, and Medical Director of the National Center of Modern Medicine. Dr. Sabah is a member of the Emirates Medical Association and currently serves as the Chairman of the Supreme Council of Consulting and Training Group (Five and One Training Centre) within Mohammed bin Rashid’s projects – Government of Dubai. Additionally, she is the Chairman of KENZEL FACILITY MANAGEMENT within Mohammed bin Rashid’s projects – Government of Dubai. Dr. Sabah’s extensive experience and leadership in the medical industry make her a valuable asset to our DPDO organization.

Cindy Castano

Treasure - Board of Directors

Cindy Castano is the president of Alpha Management Group, Inc. (AMG), which is an organization that focuses on business development, management and documentary film production. She has 30 years’ experience in client relations, sales and business development and has been a licensed investment advisor. Prior to founding AMG, amongst several positions in sales/marketing, Cindy has worked in the investment/financial markets of USA, London, England and Geneva, Switzerland, specializing in high value, multi-million dollar accounts. Documentary film production is one of the primary elements of AMG’s business and is structured under AMG Media, a division of Alpha Management Group. Ms. Castano is currently acting as writer, editor, and producer for a documentary entitled “MY SLAVE, MY INFIDEL,” which is in production. The film focuses on the slave trade in Southern Sudan and has expanded filming as events continue to unfold Darfur, Sudan. AMG also has a documentary in negotiations which will focus specifically on the genocidal conflict in Darfur.

Dr. Suliman A. Giddo

President ,Board Member

Dr. Suliman A. Giddo is a highly accomplished expert with over twenty years of intensive and comprehensive experience in leadership, international relations, strategic planning, conflict resolution and disaster and emergency management; having successfully created strategic plans for governments and private institutions in the Middle East, Africa, and the United States. He is also a renowned academic and researcher at George Mason University, with a proven track record of excellence in teaching at American universities including the School of Business at Indiana, and serving in senior positions for several international organizations, including the prestigious American Red Cross, Management System International and Qatar Foundation. Dr. Giddo’s extensive experience includes serving as a consultant for the UA-UN joint mission. He also served as a board member for several institutions and organizations.

Dr.Giddo is the dynamic founder and president of Sub-Saharan University, which offers eight programs in diverse fields such as medicine and general surgery, nursing, medical lab, business administration, information technology, computer network, and banking and finance, with over 2000 enrolled students mostly from Internal Displaced Persons.

Dr. Giddo earned his Ph.D. in Peace Studies and Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University in the United States, where he demonstrated exceptional academic prowess. He also completed postgraduate studies in Humanitarian Assistance from Fordham University in New York, a Master of Science in Business Administration/Accounting from Strayer University in Virginia, where he was an outstanding alumni (2008), and post-graduate studies in Strategic Planning and Project Management from the prestigious Stanford University in California. Dr. Giddo obtained his B.Sc. in Business Administration from the University of Khartoum.