FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Sayo L. B. Dukuly
Sayo L. B. Dukuly is a Liberian refugee who has the passion of helping young African refugee and migrant youths experiencing PTSD, mental health, drug and alcohol problems in the community. Having come from a similar background and having experienced trauma himself, Sayo believes that people of such backgrounds will always have some levels of unexposed/undiagnosed traumatic or mental health issues which need to be assessed and addressed by health professionals and in a timely manner to avoid further deterioration and damage. As a matter of serious concern in the emerging African refugee and migrant communities in Western Sydney, Sayo founded Sayo Kumbasi House Ltd in 2021 to help the disadvantaged African youths experiencing PTSD, mental health, drug and alcohol problems in their communities in Western Sydney area with the vision of expanding to similar communities all over Australia. This intervention aims to ease the pressures and burdens on the affected African youths, their families and the community at large.
Sayo has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) in 2010 and
a master’s degree in Mental Health Nursing from the University of Wollongong (UOW) in 2017. Sayo has vest skills and experience in all works of nursing from Emergency, Surgical Orthopaedic, Medical, Cardiac, Rehab, Child & Adolescents wards, older people mental health, general mental health, and Forensic Mental Health Nursing. Sayo has worked in nursing in Australia since 2010.
Sayo arrived in Australia as an asylum seeker, educated himself with a burning desire for education and he was the founder and chairperson of the Liberian Youth Association in NSW while studying his Bachelor of Nursing at UTS. Sayo also helped organise African international soccer tournaments in the African community over several years in Sydney with great success and the tournament has spread all around all Australia among the African communities. Sayo has served as the Liberian Community Chairperson and in many capacities over the years and he is regarded as one of the most influential African personalities in NSW. Sayo has a detailed track record of working with trauma affected African youth, young people and larger communities in collaborations with the NSW Police, Mental Health Hospitals, Migrant Resource Centre, STARTTS and many more service provides for African refugees and migrants in NSW. Sayo also works as a healthcare interpreter in the larger African community.
Sayo has worked as a clinical lead in mental health for over 10 years in sub-acute, acute, short stay unit, rehab, child & adolescent, and mental health intensive care units across Sydney in both public and private hospitals. Sayo has recently moved into the Forensic Mental Health Nursing where he enjoys working with the youths with civil and forensic backgrounds. Sayo is fervent and determined in spreading the message about mental health and drug and alcohol awareness in the refugee and migrant communities by engaging youths with trauma backgrounds and helping them live their life to the fullest as all other kids in the western world. Sayo is passionate in bringing the life of those disadvantaged youth back on track so they can meaningfully contribute to the society in which they live as good citizens. Sayo supports the plans to help the disadvantaged youths integrate more fully into the community.
DIRECTOR
Hawa Dukuly
Hawa is a mother of 5 and a fulltime qualified disability support worker. Has has a certificate VI in Disability and Childcare at Grandville TAFE, Sydney. Hawa has a long working history of providing support and help with daily activities such as preparing meals, bathing, dressing, going to the toilet, moving around, taking medicine and supports independent living.
Hawa has more than 5 years’ experience as a Personal Support Worker, she is adept in daily living support, housekeeping, and meal preparation. Moreover, while her on-the-job experience has afforded her a well-rounded skill set, including first-rate communication and interpersonal abilities. In addition to Hawa’s experience and personal qualities, she has a solid educational foundation and a passion for supporting refugee and migrant youths with PTSD, mental health drug & alcohol problems in the community. Hawa is extremely enthusiastic about Sayo Kumbasi House’s focus on catering to troubled and disadvantaged youths in the refugee and migrant community in Western Sydney and welcomes the opportunity to contribute to Sayo Kumbasi House’s youths support operations and business success.
Hawa responsibilities include meeting with case management team members for monthly planning and updating of Information Technology and Professional Services (ITPs) and then ensuring staff are following them for each youth. Hawa also provides assistance to the refugee and migrant youths to ensure their safety, health and wellbeing.
SECRETARY
Matthew Coker
Matthew Coker co-founded Sayo Kumbasi House in 2022. He serves as the Secretary and partner in handling daily activities in working with the refugee and migrant youths who are marginalized due to their traumatic experiences from their war-torn countries, mental health, drug and alcohol problems. Matthew’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Nursing from the University of Western Sydney and a Master of Mental Health Nursing from the University of Wollongong in Sydney.
Matthew has over 10 years experience in mental health and has worked in the custodial environment and various mental health specialist units. He has worked extensively with people with severe mental illness and trauma including schizophrenia, depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and displaced migrants from war torn nations. Matthew is passionate and has a special interest in disseminating mental health and drug and alcohol awareness, engaging youths with trauma backgrounds and empowering these marginalised groups. He ardently believes that there is a societal responsibility and obligation to advocate for mental health awareness and become part of the larger mass that drives change.
DIRECTOR
Laura Taitz
Laura is a Product Director at Envizi, an IBM company. Laura has held various roles in IT product and project management for organisations such as Dimension Data and Perpetual and has consulted to not-for-profits including Asthma Foundation NSW, BlackDog Institute and Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation. Laura is the co-founder of MedEarth, a charity with both an environmental sustainability and humanitarian mission. Laura is a past director of the National Council of Jewish Women NSW and was the founder and inaugural Chairperson of the mothers’ support program MUM FOR MUM in Australia.
Laura’s responsibility is to participate in board meetings to enable the board to reach these decisions and make sure that the company’s obligations are fulfilled. Overall, she oversees both performance and compliance in accordance with Sayo Kumbasi House’s purpose and objectives.
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Amara Toure
HEAD OF FINANCE, RISK & COMPLIANCE
Sekou Seasay