Emmanuel Jal was saved by a British Aid Worker from SPLM to become a musician

We have always been told not to accept any person or religion to separate us as Kenyans. This is a lesson that we should learn from talented South Sudan artiste Emmanuel Jal story who had to persevere a lot in his life in order to be where he is today.

He was born when Sudan was going to a civil war. His mum was the one who used to give him hope that all will be well. At 5 yrs, Jal had to painfully watch her aunt being raped by an Arab soldier and all he could see is her aunt crying for mercy.

This South Sudan artiste had to shift from one place to the other after their village was destroyed by the government soldiers. This the point that Jal lost his mum whom used to give him hope for a better tomorrow.

Emmanuel Jal father wanted the best for his son and thus when he reached seven years, he sent him to Ethiopian schools where he had to walk from Sudan with other children for them to reach Ethiopia. During this long journey Jal said that many didn’t arrive as they succumbed to hunger and serious diseases.

He was recruited to SPLM at the age of eight, and all he ever wanted is to revenge the death of her mother. This is a rare occurrence in our country but in South Sudan, this was a normal drill.

‘’If God is on your side nothing can go wrong,’’ Jal said. He was rescued from SPLM by a British Aid Worker, Emma McCune at the age of eleven. This was the point Emmanuel was almost forced to eat one of his friend because he was seriously hungry.

Jal said, ‘’ my story is long. I lost my childhood and I can’t fix history, but I travel the world telling my story to raise awareness and emotional intelligence of every one I meet’’.

Jal hopes that the trust he puts on students whom he visits in school will be able to correct the mistakes of the past.

This South Sudan artiste is grateful for CNN Freedom Project because it will open the eyes of millions and create a positive energy.

Emmanuel Jal has done a few charity projects under Gua Africa where he has built a school in honor of his icon Emma McCune.

He is also going round the world to raise $ 1.4 million in order to help his brothers. For more information visit emmanueljal.com.