Our Leadership

Gattuoch Kuon, President

Gattuoch is the President of the organization providing leadership and vision for the organization. In 2013, due to his exceptional performance in primary school, Gattuoch earned a four-year high school scholarship from UNHCR in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. In 2017, after another excellent performance in high school, Gattuoch was awarded the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) scholarship to study at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Gattuoch holds a Bachelor`s Degree in Computer Science and currently works as a Software Engineer at Humana in the United States.

Paldueri Thiang, Country Director, USA

Paldueri Thiang previously served as Director of Finance, Kenya, where he played a key role in strengthening the organization’s finances and supporting accountable program delivery. He currently serves as Country Director, USA, where he is helping to grow the organization’s membership across the United States. Paldueri is a recipient of the SEP Scholarship in Kakuma Refugee Camp, which enabled him to attend Lodwar High School. He later earned the prestigious DAFI Scholarship, through which he pursued his undergraduate studies at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology.

Nyaguari Tut, Country Director, Kenya

Nyaguari Tut is the Country Director, Kenya, where she leads strategic initiatives to advance the organization’s mission and impact. She is a recipient of the prestigious DAFI Scholarship, which supported her four-year undergraduate studies beginning in 2021. Nyaguari holds a Bachelor’s degree in Diplomacy and International Relations from the University of Nairobi. With a strong academic foundation and a deep commitment to service, she is dedicated to fostering sustainable development and driving positive change within her community.

Kuok Gatdet, Country Director, Uganda

Kuok Gatdet is the Country Director for Uganda at I Stretch My Hand, where he is leading the launch of the organization’s operations and programs following its successful implementation in Kenya. He came to Canada through the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) Student Refugee Program and is currently a student at the University of Toronto.

Naomi Gelinas, Director of Media and Engagement

Naomi Gelinas is the Director of Media and Engagement at I Stretch My Hand (ISMH), where she leads media outreach and manages the organization’s external communications and public engagement. Naomi has dedicated her career to empowering young people through community and non-profit work. She became involved with ISMH through her engagement with its members during her time at McGill University, where she served as Co-Chair of the WUSC–McGill chapter and later as a WUSC Student Refugee Program (SRP) Coordinator. She currently works as a Youth and Family Services Manager at a community centre located in one of the top 5% most deprived areas in London, England, bringing strong grassroots experience to her role at ISMH.

Reat Deng , Director of Finance, Canada

Reat Deng oversees financial planning, controls, and compliance in support of the organization’s programs. He completed his primary school in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya, after which he was awarded the Secondary Education Program (SEP) scholarship, based on merit, by Windle International Kenya in 2014 to pursue his high school education. After a successful completion of his high school, Reat was awarded the Student Refugee Program (SRP) scholarship by the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) that allowed him to move to Canada in 2019. Reat was admitted to the University of Toronto’s St. George campus, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry and Statistics.

Martha Nyakuan, Deputy Director of Finance, Canada

Martha Nyakuan is the Deputy Director of Finance at I Stretch My Hand, working closely with Reat Deng to ensure the organization’s financial health and accountability. She came to Canada through the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) and is a graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism.

Chieng Banypiny, Director of Finance, Kenya

Chieng Banypiny is the Director of Finance, Kenya, where he oversees financial planning, controls, and compliance in support of the organization’s programs. Chieng completed both his primary and secondary education through the Secondary Education Program (SEP) in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya. He was later awarded a merit-based Social Entrepreneurship scholarship by the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa – Tangaza University College. He subsequently received the prestigious DAFI Scholarship, through which he pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies with Information Technology at Maseno University (Kisumu Campus). In addition to his academic training, Chieng has completed the Climate Diplomacy Academy and Security Program, organized by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s Climate Policy and Energy Security Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as the Climate Governance, Diplomacy, and Negotiations Leadership Program through the African Group of Negotiators Experts Support (AGNES) Fellowship.

Teny Chuol, Manager, Internal Communications, Kenya

Teny Chuol serves as Manager, Internal Communications (Kenya) at I Stretch My Hand, where his work is critical to ensuring clear internal coordination and effective information flow across the organization. Teny is a graduate and a former recipient of the prestigious DAFI Scholarship, awarded to high-performing students from refugee communities. He pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance at Kenyatta University. Prior to joining the university, he demonstrated strong leadership as Chair of the Science and Technology Club and News Editor for the Journalism Club. With a strong understanding of the transformative impact of education, Teny is deeply committed to I Stretch My Hand’s mission and to contributing to the development of the next generation of scholars in his community.

Nyagua Deng, Manager, Internal Communications, Canada

Nyagua Deng manages internal communications in Canada at I Stretch My Hand and works closely with Teny Chuol to ensure effective coordination across the organization. She came to Canada through the WUSC Student Refugee Program from Uganda and is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s in Economics and Finance at Vancouver Island University.

Kam Bajak, Program Manager, Kenya

Marko Bajak currently serves as Program Manager in charge of Academics at I Stretch My Hand, where he is responsible for ensuring scholars’ academic performance through regular school visits, monitoring progress, and providing ongoing support. He previously worked as a teacher at Somali Bantu Secondary School in Kakuma from January 2020 to February 2024. Bajak is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Laws at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa under the DAFI Scholarship in Nairobi, Kenya.

Panom Malual, Program Manager, Kenya

Panom Malual serves as Program Manager incharge of Community Programs at I Stretch My Hand, where he leads the NEFI initiative, strengthening community engagement and mobilizing support from the Naath community in support of the organization’s mission.