In the heart of Sudan’s unrelenting political turmoil, a remarkable trailblazer emerges as a beacon of hope for the nation. Meet Mendy Hameda Abdulrasul, an international relations specialist and co-founder of Hope Relief and Rehabilitation for Disabilities Support, an organization dedicated to empowering people with disabilities.
More than a decade ago, I had the privilege of meeting Mendy, also known as Abhizzy, during a time when we were both Sudanese nationals, long before the historic 2011 South Sudan independence referendum. Mendy, a fun loving and spirited individual, possessed an unwavering devotion to his homeland.
I have fond memories of visiting a restaurant in the heart of Nairobi’s Central Business District. We enjoyed a meal of crispy chips, succulent chicken, and refreshing mango juice, sharing inside jokes about the seemingly insatiable love South Sudanese/Sudanese have for mango juice. At the time, I was a student at the University of Nairobi’s main campus, while Mendy pursued his studies in Daystar University. Looking back at our old conversations, you’d stumble upon phrases like “xaxa” and “xema”, along with other trendy slang terms. It was just a phase we all went through, so please refrain from passing judgement.
Mendy quickly became a dear friend. We had many mutual friends and acquaintances to the point where I thought we might be related. But Mendy took pride in his roots, hailing from the Nuba Mountains in South Kordofan, Sudan. Fast forward to adulthood, and our paths crossed again a decade later at the Young African Leaders Initiative in Nairobi in December 2022. During the intervening years, I had been following Mendy on social media, witnessing not only his physical transformation (he was short and skinny) but also his unwavering commitment to realizing his vision for Sudan.
Mendy’s remarkable journey encompasses a multifaceted commitment that transcends boundaries. Beyond his pivotal roles in peace, security, and disability advocacy, he exhibits versatility as freelance expert specializing in human rights and governance matters. His unwavering dedication and fervor have culminated in his appointment as a member of the African Union’s Youth Advocates committed to elevating global youth involvement in the implementation of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
It’s remarkable to reflect on how we both understood the challenges of being urban refugees, and how far we’ve come since then. Mendy’s personal connection to the struggles of those affected by Sudan’s protracted conflicts sets him apart. He has taken proactive steps to change the narrative and ensure that refugees and people with disabilities are not sidelined in critical decision-making forums. This commitment led him and a group of volunteers to establish Hope Relief and Rehabilitation for Disabilities Support (www.hrrds.org) a fully operational organization that is now making a significant impact in the overlooked region of South Kordofan, Sudan.
The organization is engaged in a diverse array of initiatives focused on disabilities, providing a solid groundwork for assisting people with disabilities and advancing the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. For further insights into Mendy’s endeavors and his ongoing mission, you can connect with him through his social media: on X (@MendyAhbizzy) or LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mendy-hameda-abdulrasul-56b0a9122/)