Saving Lives in Sudan

When President Omar Al-Bashir ordered the relentless bombing of the citizens of his own country in the Nuba mountains of Sudan, Dr. Tom Catena was on the ground, one doctor serving 700,000 patients. When a ceasefire was agreed to and the bombing stopped, Dr. Tom stayed, to serve the people who have put their faith and their hope in him.

Telling the Story

A college friend of Dr. Tom’s, filmmaker Kenneth A. Carlson navigated armed militia in Sudan to tell the story. Internationally acclaimed and award-winning, The Heart of Nuba, is now available through iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Sony, Xbox and in public libraries via Hoopla. It has raised more than $2.200,000 for medicine, vaccinations, supplies and crucial training of Sudanese staff to support Dr. Tom’s critical, life-saving work.

What now for Sudan?

Omar al-Bashir assumed power in Sudan in 1989 after leading a military coup to overthrow the sitting government. During that time al-Bashir directed the mass killing, rape, and pillage against Black African civilians in Darfur, with the goal of eliminating the Black population. He led a relentless bombing campaign against the citizens of the Nuba mountains, also Black Africans, targeting civilians, killing thousands, and destroying homes, schools, business, crops and more. In 2009, al-Bashir banned all humanitarian aid coming into Sudan, leaving his people starving, sick, dying, and subject to intensifying violence.

He has been indicted by the International Criminal Court on five counts of crimes against humanity (murder, extermination, forcible transfer, torture, and rape), two counts of war crimes, and three counts of genocide.

“…a moving and remarkable story”
New York Times
“…gripping, inspiring documentary.”
Los Angeles Times
“……as inspiring as it gets.”
Hollywood Reporter
“…praiseworthy, almost Nobel Prize praiseworthy.”
Film Week, NPR

Recent News:

Aurora Foundation Launches New Global Initiative

Aurora Foundation Launches New Global Initiative

The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative has launched its new program, the Aurora Community, to actively support the program members by connecting them with each other in accordance with their area of intervention, encouraging them to exchange their knowledge, and promoting...

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Dr. Tom Delivers Keynote for WISH Summit

Dr. Tom Delivers Keynote for WISH Summit

Dr. Tom Catena delivered the keynote address to the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH), on November 15. The theme of this year's Summit was ''One World Our Health''. To quote the WISH promotion of the event: ''Dr. Tom,' as he is affectionately known to his...

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The Catena Family Expands!

The Catena Family Expands!

We could not be more delighted to share some recent photos from Dr. Tom of his and Nasima's new family member! This year the adoption of their son, Francis Gene, was finalized, bringing a much-earned source of love and joy into the Catena tukal (household). There is...

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An Update from Dr. Tom

An Update from Dr. Tom

The situation here in Nuba has been pretty stable for the past year. The Transitional government in Khartoum and the SPLA-N rebels have met recently for peace talks but were unable to reach any conclusions. The SPLA-N is demanding that Sudan have a secular (not...

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Sudanese rebels and government enter final phase of talks

Sudanese rebels and government enter final phase of talks

The Sudanese government and a coalition of rebel groups on Thursday entered into a final phase of peace talks, which will centre on the creation of a unified Sudanese army. Mediators described the discussions as the "most important" component of the Sudan peace...

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Reflections on an Earlier Interview

Reflections on an Earlier Interview

On March 27, 2018, Ishay Sesay of CNNi did a riveting 20 minute segment wtih Kenneth A. Carlson and Dr. Tom Catena about The Heart of Nuba. Carlson and Catena both talk about their aspirations for the Nuba people, which included al-Bashir being brought to...

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News from Sudan:

CNN: Sudan to hand ex-President Omar al-Bashir to ICC

CNN: Sudan to hand ex-President Omar al-Bashir to ICC

Khartoum, Sudan (CNN)The Sudanese government will hand Omar al-Bashir over to the International Criminal Court (ICC) along with other officials wanted over the Darfur conflict, according to a Cabinet of Ministers in a statement to CNN. Bashir, who ruled...

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Sudanese rebels and government enter final phase of talks

Sudanese rebels and government enter final phase of talks

The Sudanese government and a coalition of rebel groups on Thursday entered into a final phase of peace talks, which will centre on the creation of a unified Sudanese army. Mediators described the discussions as the "most important" component of the Sudan peace...

read more