Where We Began

In 2006 plans were initiated by Dr. Joseph Dumba, a family physician in Omaha, Nebraska, and a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, to take a medical team to Kajo Keji, South Sudan, where he was born and raised. Wayne Naro, an attorney in Omaha and a CPC member, was the first volunteer to go with Dr. Dumba to explore possibilities, resulting in a 17-member medical mission team traveling to South Sudan in 2007. The lack of primary medical care and facilities touched the team's hearts, and they came back to the United States with a thought that gave birth to the vision of a permanent medical presence in Kajo Keji, South Sudan. So, in March 2008, Dr. Dumba, Wayne Naro, and Pastor Jeremy Grant returned to South Sudan for a fact-finding mission to strategize how to provide a permanent medical ministry. In consultation with the Anglican Church and the bishop of Kajo Keji, Rev. Anthony Poggo, and Hon Ben Yengi, an agreement was reached between the three to begin establishing a medical facility in the county. Local elders in Lijo Village donated land, and the government gave the green light to build the medical facility.

In 2009 a second medical mission team provided needed medical services. Through the efforts of Wayne, The Healing Kadi Foundation was incorporated and received 501(c)(3) status with IRS in May 2010 to begin raising funds for the hospital. Wayne desired to return to Kajo Keji with the mission team in March 2011, but due to a severe illness, he could not go. Although he passed away in May 2011, his desire to help the people of South Sudan is being fulfilled today through the Marilyn Miller Memorial Clinic, which is now fully functional and saving lives.