Old Fangak had a new health center, wells for clean water,
and small farms producing food for the market, thousands of
refugees fled to Old Fangak for safety. Some walked for two
months or more. All were hungry and tired, many were sick
and wounded, and some died along the way. Our once quiet
village of 5,000 grew to over 50,000, and more continue to
come. ASMP was in the right place at the right time.
ASMP is now entering its eleventh year in South Su-
dan. The war continues, but ASMP remains committed and
continues to move forward. Plans for the years ahead include
building a second clinic for infectious diseases, expanding
the agricultural project, drilling wells in more villages, and
training more local men and women.
We have certainly accomplished much more than our
original mission of building a health center. As we saw the
needs before us, we expanded our mission, not really knowing
how to make it happen either logistically or financially. It is
nearly an impossible place to work, but as the project grew
we held on tight and never let go. We dreamed. We persisted.
And we succeeded.
How does one survive in South Sudan? With a never-
ending supply of hope and faith.
Dr. Jack Hickel was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. He is a board certified family
physician and has a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. He began his professional
career in Africa as a medical missionary helping to run hospitals and bush clinics in
Swaziland. He is currently working as a primary care physician and medical director for
the Alaska Native Medical Center. He is the co-founder and president of the Alaska Sudan
Medical Project.
Dr. Jack Hickel, MD
Co-founder and President
Alaska Sudan Medical Project.