Sudan is the third largest country in Africa; it had previously been the largest until 2011 when South Sudan declared its independence from Sudan. It is a country divided from east to west by mountain ranges, and has suffered from wars, internal conflicts and ethnic strife for much of its history.

Cathy Solano rsm from the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea is working with the Nubia people in the Nubia Mountains near the border with South Sudan. She began this ministry in 2005 and ministers in the field of education. She served as the education co-ordinator for the Diocese of El Obeid in central Sudan for three years from 2005-2007, and after a period of time back in Australia has returned to Sudan in more recent years.