News

  • School Construction in Juba

  • Grassroots Initiative Network provides literacy education; a life of opportunity to refugees

    Grassroots Initiative Network provides literacy education; a life of opportunity to refugees

    Coming from the war-torn county of South Sudan, Rieek Nyoach, 32, did not have the opportunity to get an education. When he came to America in 2017 as an international student at Saginaw Valley State University, his world changed forever. For the better.

    As a child, he did not grow up going to school, and fled to refugee camps. Today, Nyoach is proud to have his Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, and is teaching other refugees the impactful and invaluable skill of literacy. His nonprofit, Grassroots Initiative Network, has recently expanded to the Midland community.

  • Midland Rotary and Nonviolent Peaceforce sponsor Celebration of Peace

    Midland Rotary and Nonviolent Peaceforce sponsor Celebration of Peace

    “I wanted to give back,” says Nyoach. “There is so much going on, so many good people in Midland. It’s been a blessing.”

  • Midland celebrates City of Peace designation, International Day of Peace

    Midland celebrates City of Peace designation, International Day of Peace

    “Rieek was one our group in Rotary sponsored to bring him here along with his family,” said Event Coordinator Judy Timmons. “He wants to pay back to his homeland because there is such a need for schools.”

  • Midland’s United Church of Christ helping women in South Sudan

    Midland’s United Church of Christ helping women in South Sudan

    The congregation, located at 4100 Chestnut Hill Drive, Made Hygiene Kits for an adult education school in South Sudan. The project supports Grassroot Initiative Network (GIN), an organization started by Midland resident, Rieek Nyoach.

  • Rieek Nyoach the speaker

    Rieek Nyoach the speaker

    “We protect civilians in violent conflicts through unarmed strategies,” said NP member Jeanne Dellar, who served as moderator for the event. “We build peace side-by-side with local communities, and we advocate for the wider adoption of these approaches to safe-guard human lives and dignity.”

  • Speakers detail peace efforts around globe

    Speakers detail peace efforts around globe

    The event was hosted by the Midland chapter of Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) as part of its annual fundraising effort. Established in 2002, NP boosts a roster of 261 workers — separated into 15 teams — stationed in various conflicted areas across the world, primarily in four countries: South Sudan, Iraq, Myanmar and the Philippines.