About South Sudan & PASS
South Sudan Facts
About PASS
Who we are
PASS was founded by Augustino Ting Mayai and Bol Deng Akech, both in South Sudan, and Fran Roby in the United States. The program operates under the oversight and direction of the PASS Board of Directors that includes members of the Apuk Padoc community, one chief, one educator and one elder, as well as the Executive Director.
The Selection Committee has six members, three based in South Sudan led by August Ting Mayai, and three members in the United States led by Fran Roby. The Selection Committee members in South Sudan review the applications, then forwards them to the Selection Committee members in the U.S. for final selection.
Why did we establish the PASS Scholarship?
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South Sudan is rated the #1 rated poorest country in the world with a per capita annual income of $455.
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By comparison, Haiti ranks #21 with a per capita annual income of $3,108 which is 6.5 times higher than that of South Sudan. (https://gfmag.com/data/
economic-data/poorest-country- in-the-world/) -
Because there are virtually no other college scholarship programs available to youth in South Sudan, PASS is their only opportunity to avoid a life of extreme poverty.
Why is South Sudan the poorest country in the world?
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Key factors contributing to South Sudan's poverty: decades-long civil wars, oil dependence, corruption in government, lack of an educated workforce, and climate change.
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#1 reason for continued poverty: Tens of thousands of youth graduate high school each year but do not have the means to earn a college degree, whether it be a 2, 3 or 4 year college program. These youth earn high marks in school, however their families do not have the financial resources to pay for post-secondary education. They are mired in poverty and they are demoralized.
Why are we called the Padoc Area Scholars Society?
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In its 1st school year, 2021-2022, PASS provided scholarships ONLY to youth from the Padoc community in Warrap State, South Sudan. The Padoc community is “the poorest of the poor” in South Sudan.
Who can apply for a PASS scholarship?
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ALL South Sudanese are eligible to apply for PASS scholarships, including the 4 million South Sudanese who live in refugee camps in neighboring countries.
How many PASS scholars are there currently?
During the 2024-2025 school year, through the generosity of sponsors and donors, 220 South Sudanese youth are attending universities with full-tuition and living expenses scholarships from PASS!
How is PASS funded?
PASS is a non-profit, 501(c3) organization registered with the IRS in the United States and with the government of South Sudan. PASS is completely funded by sponsors and donations. PASS is staffed by volunteers, so more than 95% of your sponsorship or donation money goes directly to the students.
The PASS Team
Augustino Ting Mayai
CO-FOUNDER, SELECTION COMMITTEE (SOUTH SUDAN)
Fran Roby
CO-FOUNDER, SELECTION COMMITTEE (USA)
Fran Roby was a Guidance and College Counselor in Minnesota for 33 years. He brings his passion, experience, and expertise assisting American students in preparation for college, as well as years of volunteer work with refugee and immigrant communities in Minnesota to the PASS program. Fran is the co-founder of PASS, and leads the USA branch of the Selection Committee.
Bol Deng Akech
CO-FOUNDER
Simon Bol Deng Akech is a graduate of the University of Juba and majored in agricultural engineering. His education largely focused on the mindset, function over form, and stability over showmanship. He conducts agricultural research to improve food production in South Sudan. Simon is the first person in his family to graduate from high school and thus the first to attend the university. Simon currently works for Schlumberger as equipment and machinery operator.
Professor Kim Korinek
BOARD MEMBER
Kim Korinek is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Utah whose research focuses on international migration and the population and health consequences of armed conflict. She holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of Washington. Professor Korinek’s teaching and service also seeks to advance access to education, especially among historically underrepresented and diverse populations
Karen Kitchel
BOARD MEMBER
Karen Kitchel is passionate about helping those who are less fortunate. With 30 years of experience at BI Worldwide, followed by 12 years managing a nonprofit, she now fills her days with a variety of volunteer activities. In addition to serving on the PASS Board, she sponsors 7 scholars, is active in the Twin Cities Prison Ministry, serves meals and
hosts events for the homeless, and helps Hispanic kindergarteners learn to read and
write. She also hosts a website at www.scatteringkindess.com.
What drew Karen to PASS was “Meeting the co-founders and the words of a scholar
who said: “I want to break the chain of poverty through education.”
Danielle Enblom
WEB COORDINATOR
Danielle is an educator, researcher, and performing artist. She holds a degree in Sustainability and Urban Studies from the University of Minnesota, an MA in Ethnochoreology (dance anthropology), a Diploma in Traditional Irish Music, and is a trained teacher in the Steiner/Waldorf School system. Danielle has worked with community leaders, policymakers, and grassroots organizations around the issue of unsheltered homelessness in the Twin Cities, and works in youth development. Danielle's work in the arts addresses issues of modern and historical cultural identity through cultural practice.
