Christine Micity Martin Pio, South Sudan, enrolled in 2015

Christine’s journey with Mercy Beyond Borders (MBB) began in primary school at St. Bakhita Girls’ Primary School. Upon graduating, she was awarded a scholarship in 2015 to continue as a high school Scholar in South Sudan. Her path led her to Kajo Keji Health Training Institute (KKHTI) in Arua, Uganda, where she earned her degree in clinical medicine and graduated in 2024 as a fully qualified clinical officer.

She studied in conditions many would find discouraging. Like many students in resource-limited settings, Christine navigated overcrowded classrooms, scarce textbooks, unreliable internet, limited laboratory access, and bathroom facilities so inadequate that female students had to use the boys' latrines. Yet she pressed forward. “Since there are some resources that our school lacks,” she reflected, “we persevere.” That word—persevere—defines her journey.

Christine’s impact extended far beyond the classroom. She served as her hostel’s hygiene manager, organized campus cleanups, supported a fellow student-mother seeking malaria treatment, and helped facilitate student leadership elections. Her compassion was never confined to a hospital ward.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, while many paused, Christine continued gaining hands-on experience at a hospital in Torit, South Sudan. She later completed clinical attachments across northern Uganda and South Sudan—working in surgical wards, isolation units, OB/GYN departments, and emergency clinics. She assisted with procedures, managed waste disposal, supported medical staff, and bridged language gaps by communicating with Arabic-speaking patients.

For her capstone research, Christine spent nine months studying 55 pregnant women at Kuluva Hospital in Uganda. She found that even a primary-level education significantly influenced a mother’s ability to recognize pregnancy warning signs. Her recommendation: hospitals should proactively reach communities with education and outreach, rather than waiting for patients to come to them.

Now, Christine returns home to South Sudan, equipped with the skills and knowledge to serve her community. With a heart that knows no borders, her gratitude is boundless: "Words alone cannot describe my gratitude. I am deeply grateful to my family—and my MBB family."