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.
The program has offices in the U.S. and South Sudan. The Headquarters, in Juba, South Sudan, is administered by the Executive Director (ED), who reports to the Board of Directors. The ED is the Chief Operation Officer and manager of the day-to-day activities of the program. Augustino Ting Mayai will serve as the ED for the first year of PASS.
Why we established the PASS Scholarship
Apuk Padoc is a community in Warrap State, South Sudan. Its population is estimated to be about 90,000, the vast majority younger than the age of 30 years. This community has been deprived of development opportunities for decades, exemplified by limited access to basic services such as education and healthcare. Only 10% of Apoc Padoc residents are literate.
Murle people are pastoralists in a country where unpredictable shortages occur in rain, drinking water, bush fruits and cattle grass. Education and jobs are almost absent and there are very few possibilities to earn money by producing for domestic or foreign markets. With no roads throughout a vast territory, normal policing is almost impossible. Living in extreme poverty and with few legitimate ways to survive, the Murle, Dinka and Nuer tribes frequently raid each other in order to survive. Violence begets violence and the children suffer tremendously. Education is the best way of empowering the new generation of youth to understand that there is a better way forward for themselves and their communities, and to give them the tools they need to create a better society.
With the exception of PASS, Apoc Padoc area and Murle youth have virtually no college scholarship programs for which they can apply. Post high school education is the key to providing these communities with a much needed trained labor force.
How PASS is 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.
Natasha Torres
BOARD MEMBER
Natasha is currently a tax attorney in Minneapolis. She has her JD/MBA from Willamette University in Oregon as well as a Master of Education from the University at Buffalo. Natasha has worked with various organizations all over the nation helping to bring services to vulnerable populations. Most recently she has been working with Rainbow Heath which provides health advocacy and AIDS/HIV awareness to the LGBTQIA community and a grassroots organization that is focused on feeding unhomed people in the Twin Cities.
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.