Derik is a south Sudanese Cultural administrator. He was elected Chairman of the Sudan Development Intiative Abroad (SUDIA) in Feb 2002, and is the Founder and Director of KWOTO Cultural Centre, a Khartoum-based Sudanese NGO.

KWOTO sponsors a variety of musical and theatrical events designed to preserve and develop traditional cultures as well as provide a means for peace and reconciliation among Sudan's many ethnic and religious groups.

Kwoto's inspirational work has already led many youth from southern Sudan and other marginalized areas of the country to emerge with similar performance groups of their own. That indicates that the message behind Kwoto's programme - unity, cultural diversity, acceptance, and appreciation of each other's cultures -has reached them clearly. The performances and work of Kwoto echo the core issues people are looking for: cultural diversity, peace, tolerance, and mutual understanding based on respect and human dignity.