Nile Reflection Podcast

A voice for the voiceless

In this compelling part 2 episode, Nyabalang Gatwech, affectionately known as Princess Nyadollar, continues to share her inspiring story, delving deeper into the intricacies of her journey in the global stage of modeling and  advocacy.

Listen as Nyabalang reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped her resilience and determination, shedding light on the challenges she faced and the lessons she learned along the way.

In this captivating episode Nyabalang Gatwech, also known as Princess Nyadollar opens up about her remarkable journey from Kakuma refugee camp to the world of modeling, advocacy, and artistry. 

Hear her firsthand account about her experiences navigating through challenges, her journey towards resilience, memorable moments from Paris Fashion Week, and her advocacy work with Runways to Freedom and her unwavering commitment to mental health awareness.

Discover how Nyabalang empowers others to find their voices and pursue their dreams fearlessly.

In today's  special episode, Sarah Chan takes a turn as she's interviewed by Akol Dok, Founder of Orus Consulting and Board Member of Sawa Sawa Network. 

Sarah, known for her roles in African scouting for the Toronto Raptors and as a development associate with Giants of Africa, shares her journey from her background and career to family life.

She delves into founding the Home at Home Apadiet Foundation, a charity advocating for women’s rights and education through sports. Tune in to hear how Sarah made it to the BBC 100 Women's list in 2022.

Stephen Pitya Tongun (TOPGUN) is a phenomenal Hollywood actor and a Lawyer. He was born in Juba, South Sudan during the civil war.

His family got displaced shortly after and he became a refugee at just six months old. They escaped to Nairobi, Kenya where they lived in Kibera, the largest slum in Nairobi, and the largest urban slum in Africa, for 12 years before moving to Australia in 2000.

Stephen’s love for the performing arts and music have also seen him grace many stages as a professional actor and crooner.

He has recently appeared in the latest Netflix Sci-Fi Thriller ‘Spiderhead’, featured in the films ‘Escape from Pretoria’, ‘Never Too Late’ and on the acclaimed ABC TV series ‘Stateless’ and in ‘Danger 5’. He is also in a new Netflix TV series called ‘A Second Chance’.

Here is his amazing & fascinating journey!

Her journey will lead her from Kakuma Refugee Camp, to becoming a renowned Australian Lawyer. 

Nyadol Nyuon, is a chair of Harmony Alliance, which is a national advocacy body for migrant refugee women and an Executive Director of Sir Zelman Cowen Center at Victoria University. 

Here is the story of Nyadol Nyuon, the duaghter of a Freedom Fighter, born in Itang, Ethiopia, was in and out of Kakuma, Nairobi and schooled in Lodwar. Upon High School (KCSE) compilition, the approval to resettle to Australia in 2005 came in, in the nick of time. 

For certain she knew at 14 years old, that she had a passion to pursue further studies and a dream to become a Lawyer, despite initially struggling with school due to lack of serious commitment towards her studies in the overcrowded and overheated classrooms, at the Kakuma Refugee Camp. 

Nyadol graduated from Melbourne University with a Law Degree. In 2016 she achieved a long held dream, when she was admitted into a legal profession as an Australian Lawyer and now stands on various platforms, such as addressing the National Press Club of Australia.

In this episode, she honours the legacy of her father, Commander William Nyuon Bany. 

Nyadol Nyuon, receievd one of the highest awards in Australia - the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), awarded for service worthy of particular recognition. 

Guest: @Nyadolnyuon
Host: @miss_sarahchan:
Video: @joshi_mayaka 

We walk down memory lane with the Founder and President of Longhorns Basketball Club in Melbourne, Australia, the legendary coach Manyang G. Berberi, who has nurtured professional players such as, Kuany Kuany the current captain of South Sudan Men's Basketball Team, Deng Adel, Emmanuel Malou amongst other renowned South Sudanese Australian players that have immensely contributed to the success of the National team. 

Coach Manyang is a South Sudanese former basketball player, a coach, a Youth Worker, Sports Administrator, Historian, a Writer and Victoria University alumni.

Having gathered a wealth of knowledge and exposure from living in South Sudan, Kenya and Australia, out of pure passion and need, Coach Manyang established the Longhorn Basketball Program for youth development 2decades ago, in Melbourne, Australia. 

The prosperity of Longhorn basketball program is undeniable. He developed players from junior levels, produced professional players and has become a pipeline to the NBA, NBL, Australian National Team and the South Sudanese National Team that is currently geared to represent the nation in the Paris 2024 Olympics, this July.

Besides basketball, Coach Manyang has worked with the youth tremendously, through the Melbourne local government councils and within the South Sudanese community in Victoria. 

Well-deserved, in 2021, he got one of the highest awards in Australia - the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), awarded for service worthy of particular recognition, amongst several other awards over the years.  

Host: @miss_sarahchan
Guest: @manyang.berberi

A captivating, informative and engaging episode.

Majak Daw fled from Sudan to Australia when he was 9, during the Sudanese Civil War. Despite obstacles and hardship, his passion for football superseded him. 

Majak is the first African-born Australian footballer drafted to the Australian Football League (AFL). His drafting gained international attention. 

He went on to have a successful football career amidst injuries, a battle with mental health, suicide attempt, a journey of healing, resilience and an incredible comeback.

His AFL career has inspired a whole generation of African Australians. He advocates for the South Sudanese community, youth and sports.

This episode is graced by Mamuch Chuol, the co-founder of @nextgenunite . A phenomenal, formidable and exemplary young South Sudanese leader - a changemaker that is pouring into our Australian South Sudanese youth at 21. He is indeed an old soul and I stand in awe. Our guests blew me away with their depth, reach, purpose and continual impact. We need more of these conversations!

You should be a model! A common phrase, majority of South Sudanese girls have heard.

Exploring modeling, passion and navigating career pathways in a transparent, informative and engaging epsiode with a standout in the film industry.

In this exciting and laughter filled episode, I catch up with Akuol de Mabior, a South Sudanese filmmaker based in Nairobi, Kenya. 

She has directed one feature-length film and four shorts. No Simple Way Home, her documentary film, premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival in February 2022.

No Simple Way Home is the first South Sudanese film production to screen at the prestigious event and received best writing and best documentary nominations at the IDA Awards 2022. 

Akuol’s short films have screened around the world, from the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa and the Durban International Film Festival in South Africa to the Pan African Film Festival in America. Her latest short, On the White Nile, won gold at the New York Festivals TV and Film Awards. 

Believing that the perspectives of African women are undervalued, she aims to create stories for the screen that reach African audiences and encourage a renewed African imagination. 

An inspirational, fun-filled, unfiltered, emotional and candid father-daughter conversation about; how he met my mother, the day I was born, our family's education pathway, hardships, assassination plots against his life during the Sudan civil war, my basketball career leading me to meeting the former POTUS, H.E Barack Obama and every juicy information in between, and yes, down to the description of the man he would want as his son-in-law. 

Hosted by @miss_sarahchan 

Instagram:  @nilereflectionpodcast 

Facebook: @Ms. Sarah Chan 

IG @jobmbugua_ 

Nile Reflection Podcast Introduction.