Mading Aweil Community Association in the UK (MACA) began as an informal community network supporting South Sudanese families in the United Kingdom, without restriction by ethnicity, religion, or background.  Since its early days, MACA has organised community meetings, cultural events, and informal welfare support for members facing difficulties, coordinated by an elected executive committee (President, Secretary, Treasurer and other officers).

The need for a local support organization became clear after our community was faced with a series of serious and interlinked crises, including a young community member’’ bereavement by suicide, other deaths in unresolved circumstances, community members facing extremely challenges conditions with no recourse, and a marked rise in homelessness. Members provided support to each other and to families in need, but these events exposed the limits of what an informal, unincorporated group could do, and provided a direct catalyst for registering as a CIO.