Our Mission
Friends in Solidarity (FiS) is a collaborative ministry initiated by Institutes of Women and Men Religious in the United States supporting the people of Africa, especially South Sudan, through capacity building initiatives that include the training of teachers, health care professionals and pastoral teams. Compelled by the suffering of our African brothers and sisters, we are committed to raising awareness of their situation and working in collaboration with the Church in Africa as it accompanies, equips and empowers the people to create a sustainable future where their full human potential may be realized.
Our Vision
We envision a just and peaceful society in Africa built upon the values of collaboration, inclusivity and solidarity between and among peoples, cultures, generations and nations. Friends in Solidarity (FiS) is an initiative of US Catholic religious men and women in support of religious working in South Sudan and beyond. It was incorporated as a not for profit in November 2015 as an outgrowth of interest in the work being done by Solidarity with South Sudan, a project begun by the International Union of Superiors General and the Union of Superiors General in Rome in response to a request of the Sudan Catholic Bishops Conference in 2006.
Model of Ministry
Friends in Solidarity supports Solidarity with South Sudan’s unique model of ministry—one of collaboration between congregations of women and men with different charisms, coming from a variety of countries. It is inspired by the call of the Congress on Consecrated Life, Passion for Christ, Passion for Humanity, held in Rome in 2005. The Congress invited religious to search for “a new paradigm… born of compassion for the scarred and downtrodden of the earth—around new priorities, new models of organization, and open and flexible collaboration between men and women of goodwill.”
Friends in Solidarity is inspired by this call and the collaborative model.
Join us for our Spring Webinar! April 1, 2025 at 7pm EST!
Guest Speaker: Fr. Augustine Ekeno, SJ
Fall 2024 Webinar Replay
Meet Our Team
Sr. Mūmbi Kīgūtha, CPPS
Sr. Mūmbi Kīgūtha, CPPS, a member of the Sisters of the Precious Blood of Dayton, Ohio, is…
Jasmine Young
Jasmine Young plays a vital role in supporting the mission of Friends in Solidarity, working closely with…
Mary Ngugi
For over two decades, Mary Ngugi has been dedicated to walking alongside the people of South Sudan…
Denis Pringle
Denis Pringle oversees the financial operations of FiS, ensuring transparency, accuracy, and responsible stewardship of resources. As…
Jannie Kirby
Jannie Kirby is a marketing and communications professional whose career began in corporate sales at IBM in…
Meet Our Board
Simone Blanchard
Simone is the Director of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) for the Sisters of Bon…
Br. Larry Lundin, SJ
Br. Larry joined the Resource Center for Religious Institutes (RCRI) office in 2013 as associate director for…
Sr. Eilis McCulloh, HM
Sister Eilis McCulloh, HM is a Sister of the Humility of Mary. She currently serves as the…
Sandra Bell-Coles
Sandra Coles-Bell has served as the Executive Director of the National Black Sisters’ Conference since 2022, following…
Sr. Bridget Bearss
Sr. Bridget Bearss, RSCJ is an educator, artist-writer, activist for the Beatitudes, and facilitator of processes to…
Margie Clark
Margie Clark is an attorney with DC’s Counsel for Child Abuse and Neglect representing children, parents and…
Camille Grippon
Members of the Corporation
Sr. Mary Bourdon, RJM
Religious of Jesus and Mary, US Province
Sr. Jeanette Gaudet, MFIC
Missionary Franciscans of the Immaculate Conception, US Province
Sr. Rose Marie Jasinski, CBS
Congregation of Bon Secours of Paris
Sr. Mary Jane Lubinski, OP
Sr. Margaret Malone, SSND
School Sisters of Notre Dame, Atlantic-Midwest Province
Rev. Lance Nadeau, MM
Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers
Sr. Ann Oestreich, IHM
Sr. Theresa Sandok, OSM
Servants of Mary