The Team

Prof. Dr. Manuel Rauchholz

RIC International Director, Founder, and CEO

Manuel is Director of Anthropology and Intercultural Studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, USA and Canada.

Manuel grew up in Chuuk with four siblings and is fluent in the Chuukese language. He witnessed the establishment of Berea Christian School by local leaders and his parents, who had been serving the people of the Micronesian islands since 1966. Collaboration with government, church, and educational partners was role-modeled in his home.

The combination of conducting ethnographic research in the Western Pacific and developing long-standing friendships within local island communities inspired Manuel to work toward ensuring access to education in Chuuk, where it has become increasingly limited. Manuel began realizing this vision by founding Rauchholz International Consulting in 2011, followed by the establishment of Philadelphia Christian School (PCS) on Tol Island in 2019. The founding of PCS resulted from discussions with the Chuukiyenú community on Tol, as well as collaboration with local and international educators, private donors, and organizational sponsors—including the Philadelphia Evangelical Church in Chuukiyenú, the Evangelical Church of Chuuk, Faithwalk Christian College, and the First Presbyterian Church of Guam.

Prof. Dr. Mihamm Kim

Co-founder

Mihamm is married to Manuel and is a co-founder of RIC. Since joining the leadership team of Liebenzell Mission International in Germany, she has stepped back from active commitments to RIC.

Mihamm is a public speaker, guest lecturer, and professor at the International University of Liebenzell (IHL), where she has taught since 2011. She studied Protestant Theology in both Germany and Korea, earning her doctorate in 2005 under the supervision of Hans-Joachim Eckstein at the Faculty of Theology, University of Tübingen.

Mr. Raster Rasau “Sotto”

RIC Chuuk Director, Philadelphia Christian School Principal

Raster, known as “Sotto,” is the RIC Chuuk Director and the principal of Philadelphia Christian School on Tol Island since 2019. He is dedicated to improving access to education, despite the challenges faced by island communities, including teacher shortages, a lack of vocational specialists, and limited resources.

Raster believes that the children and youth of the islands deserve to live in a safe and healthy environment that offers them a sense of purpose and motivates them to learn and succeed. As most children and young people from Tol relocate to other parts of Micronesia and the USA, while others are left behind, Raster’s goal is to equip them with the knowledge, attitudes, skills, and relational competencies they need to succeed, whether they stay or go abroad.

Ms. Adryn Matai Yos

RIC Housekeeper and PCS Kindergarten Assistant

Adryn joined RIC as the housekeeper of Philadelphia Christian School and as an assistant to the RIC staff with a focus on supporting the Kindergarten classes.

She is also one of the enthusiastic translators at school who values the Bible focus in the morning assemblies because children learn why and how to be kind to each other, based on how God shows kindness toward them, and is passionate about them in their circumstances.

Ms. Eunice Kasyoka Mbithuka

RIC Volunteer and PCS Administrator and teacher

Eunice holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in statistics. She arrived in Chuuk from Kenya in March 2025 to join RIC as a teacher and administrator at Philadelphia Christian School. She now teaches K5 while also handling administrative tasks to ensure school operations align with the Chuuk State Department of Education’s policies. She aims at inspiring our children and youth to follow Jesus Christ in step with the Holy Spirit, whether at school, in their families, or in the community.

Mr. Ian Mwaura Githinji

RIC Volunteer and PCS teacher

Ian joined us in October 2025 from Kenya. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in education and is a nationally certified elementary teacher. Ian loves Jesus Christ and brings experience as a youth leader. He is enthusiastic about fostering a supportive educational environment where both staff members and students feel valued and empowered to reach their full potential.

Mr. Gedion Kiprono

RIC Volunteer and PCS teacher

Gedion holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in education and is a high school teacher from Kenya with experience in non-formal Christian education. He joined RIC in March 2025 to teach at Philadelphia Christian School (PCS), where he first taught first grade and then advanced the students to second grade. In addition to teaching at PCS, he is pursuing a master’s degree in education. His aim is to enrich learning experiences that support students academically, spiritually, emotionally, and socially. As a teacher, he seeks to positively impact students’ lives through creative teaching, dedication, and enthusiasm.

Mr. Martin Mungai Nyambura

RIC Volunteer and PCS teacher

Martin Mungai Nyambura from Kenya holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in education with a focus on mathematics, history, and government. While working on his master’s degree in education, Martin is helping us implement the Chuuk State curriculum aligned with Christian values. Martin aims to enhance students’ understanding of English literacy, Math, Social Studies, and Social Sciences through innovative instructional strategies and personalized mentoring as key learning elements.

Mr. CA Yos

RIC Security Officer

CA Yos serves as the security officer for RIC. He loves Jesus Christ, his wife Adryn, their children, extended families, and relations in their lineages. In his cheerful manner, he makes sure that children, staff, and parents feel safe on the school grounds of Philadelphia Christian School and beyond.

CA is one of the senior pastors at Philadelphia Church in Chuukiyenú, the youth president, and a community council representative. He is dedicated to supporting projects that improve the well-being of the island community.

Mr. TM Yos Tosimichy

RIC Sailor and PCS Maintenance Manager

Every trip across the lagoon in a motorboat entails unforeseen risks, which is why boat travel happens in teams of 2 to 3 sailors. This makes interventions possible, such as paddling and steering the boat when the outboard motor breaks down.

The causes of our outboard motor breaking down can be related to ocean garbage becoming entangled with the propeller or to a rusty screw that pops and brings the motor to a halt. On a calm evening, a motor breakdown is easier to handle, unlike during stormy times with two-story-high waves, reminding us that we are dependent on the grace of God, our all-powerful and all-knowing pilot.

Mr. Thony Magangat

RIC Construction Manager

Thony enjoys working at RIC as a construction manager because he can leverage his extensive experience in building projects across multiple islands in Micronesia. After overseeing the construction of Philadelphia Christian School on Tol Island, he now manages the school’s buildings, oversees the expansion of classrooms and accommodations, and is responsible for upcoming building projects alongside our local teams.

Thony’s expertise includes the fabrication and efficient use of materials to optimize time and costs in the heat of the tropics, where we face salty weather conditions. He loves streamlining construction processes, though the boat transportation of materials across the open lagoon is a challenge. He works to ensure that we complete our projects effectively, given the limited resources available to us.

Mr. Masios Yos

RIC Intern and PCS Assistant to Teachers

Masios Ios is a graduate of Faithwalk Christian College who joined RIC as an intern to gain experience as a classroom assistant and supporter of RIC teachers at Philadelphia Christian School. Because he is fluent in English and Chuukese, he serves as a helpful translator with grassroots relations in the community.

His ability to mediate between international volunteers and local groups in Chuukiyenú promotes an understanding of language and cultural differences. Masios loves opportunities to create fusion dishes that blend local ingredients with other flavors and cooking methods.

Dr. Elizabeth Rauchholz

RIC Chuuk Deputy Director, International Operations

Elizabeth also grew up in Chuuk and joined RIC in 2024 as an anthropologist to support international operations for projects carried out in Chuuk. After working as a nurse, she transitioned to pastoral youth work, followed by working with multinational teams in local communities since 2009.

Elizabeth serves as a guest lecturer in cultural anthropology and qualitative research methodologies. Her teaching, training, and research focus on the dynamics of continuity and change that arise between Christianity and sociocultural values. She earned her Doctor of Philosophy degree in sociocultural anthropology from the Faculty of Behavioral and Cultural Studies at Heidelberg University in 2023.

Dr. Joycia Thorat

RIC International Grants Consultant

Joycia has 30 years of experience working in grassroots communities, especially with youth and women in faith-based organizations. She is on the national board of YMCA India and a member of the Diakonia in the WCC. Joycia operates as a freelance Development Consultant, leveraging her expertise to help organizations strengthen their programs, governance, and gender-inclusive leadership.

Joycia is currently supporting our grant-writing procedures at RIC, where we implement literacy-promoting projects shaped by local community input, aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Micronesia. Based on research conducted in local communities, Joycia supports grants that link education with capacity development to foster literacy and vocational skills essential for thriving in Chuukese societies, where Christian values are respected.

Prof. Dr. Mercia Selva Malar Justin

Mentor and Consultant on Education, Academic Administration, and Advancement of Women

Mercia is a passionate teacher and the author of the award-winning book, “Aspire to Be a Great Teacher” (2023). She works as a professor of international finance and has served as a dean at several business schools in India.

Mercia also is the honorary President of the North India Missionary Society, dedicated to intercessory ministries. With over 30 years of experience in teaching Finance, Accounting, and Administration, she is committed to serving island communities by holistically training educators, especially women, while keeping the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) in mind. She recognizes that women are often underrepresented in leadership roles, yet have significant potential to drive meaningful change.

Dr. Nahamm Kim

Mitgliederbetreuung

Nahamm provides counseling and pastoral care to members of the RIC team. Her counseling expertise is deeply informed by her time volunteering with RIC, during which she and her parents lived on the island of Tol and experienced firsthand the profound impact of COVID-19-related lockdowns on local island communities. She not only brings expertise in intercultural mentoring and counseling but also experience in supporting individuals through emotional and spiritual crises.

Nahamm has extensive teaching and mentoring experience as a professor of practical theology at theological seminaries in both Germany and Korea. She earned her doctorate in theology from Heidelberg University.

Mr. Andreas Liebrich

HR and Financial Operations

Andreas volunteers as our RIC Human Resources Administrator and Finance Manager. He helps our staff and volunteers with the administrative aspects of their onboarding, keeps financial records, and ensures compliance with HR policies.

He oversees the RIC accounts, prepares financial reports, ensures regulatory compliance, and administers donor tax-deductible donation receipts.

Mr. Jan-Henrik Ellinghaus

RIC Legal Advisor

Jan-Henrik is our legal expert, hailing from Munich in Germany. He ensures contract compliance and provides legal advice on non-profit limited-liability matters for RIC International.

Mr. Matthias Schulz

RIC Secretary Treasurer

Matthias Schulz has been our treasurer since joining RIC with his whole family in 2016. As our treasurer, he is a member of the board in Germany. Matthias oversees global financial transactions, budgeting, and reporting; maintains financial records; ensures compliance with regulations; and documents the monthly invoices of international and local operations. While living in Chuuk, he conducted training courses for leaders on transparent and accurate financial practices.