Now that today is African children’s day, I think of one child in particular. The child soldier. I cannot begin to fathom what they go through. Being abducted from their homes, watching their parents being killed, sisters being raped and other close friends and villagers mutilated before their very eyes.
No matter how evil you may be, no human deserves to go through that. But that is the tale of the child soldier. It varies in degree, but the torment is the same. They are sedated with gunpowder and indoctrinated to kill, feel no pain; have no heart and no mercy.
Just stop and think about it for a moment, you are raped of your childhood in all senses of the word. You lose part of being human and enjoying the basics of family, communion, laughter and playing. You are reduced almost to an animal, no reason is required, just kill, at 5, 7 or 13 years. You are numb to the ideals of a good childhood and lose the meaning of life.
It’s a hard and impossible place to be in, but there are several rehabilitated ex-child soldiers that’ll you meet walking on the streets. Veterans of war in the late teens and early twenties from Southern Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo and many other war torn African states. To be able to transform from being a stone cold killer to being able to function as a rational human being is commendable and admirable. I do admire and respect all these rehabilitated former child soldiers for that. But there’s one ex-child soldier who stands out as a visionary and ambassador for social change.
His name is Emmanuel Jal. His smooth ebony skin, king sized smile and cool demeanor can fool you. He appears as a young man born into wealth. He’s shared the stage with Nelson Mandela, Will Smith, Bono and Moby among several other international artists in both the Live 8 concerts and in Hyde Park last year to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s 90th Birthday.
He’s not just an ex soldier Jal’s a hip hop artist leading a generation with a new message of peace, reconciliation and a fight to end poverty.
Like many child soldiers, his plight begun at a tender age, being torn away from his family and shipped off to Ethiopia to train as a soldier for the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army (SPLA). His life was pre-determined to end pitifully, but that course changed when a British Aid worker by the name of Emma McCune, now deceased, rescued and smuggled Emmanuel to Nairobi.
In Nairobi, he found religion and music to soothe and heal the wounds of the past atrocities committed and experiences that haunted him. It’s through his unique Hip Hop style; focused on social injustice and a push for change that separates Jal from American counterparts, who glamorize gangster culture. Jal has even composed a song, “50 Cent” questioning American Hip Hop sensation, Fifty Cent on his approach to music.
Jal has since released three albums. The first two; A day in the life and Ceasefire were a hit in Kenya and received airplay on the BBC which then propelled Jal to the International Stage. His 2008 US album release, War child catapulted him further. He also has ana ward winning Film by the same name War Child. Have a look at the trailer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0402tJk3g5U&feature=related
Jal has brought the plight of child soldiers, trafficking and slavery to the fore. He is also the spokesperson for the Make Poverty history, The Coalition to stop the use of child soldiers and the Control Arms campaigns. He’s also established his own organization; Gua Africa. The word Gua (pronounced Gwaa), means Peace in his native Nuer language. Gua Africa supports former Sudanese child soldiers.
Jal is currently in the process of building a state of the art learning facility and safe haven on 15 acres of land in Leer, in Southern Sudan. He is currently eating one meal a day to raise awareness on this initiative till he raises the funds to build the institution. You can keep track on Jal’s progress and send your support on http://www.youtube.com/emmanueljal.
Its determination and sacrifice that Emmanuel Jal exemplifies that we as young Africans need to embrace to push an agenda of change and development in the continent.
All young people of Africa, this is your time to arise and bring forth the Africa of your dreams and aspirations.
If you want to know more about Emmanuel Jal and Gua Africa, you can check out the links below.
http://www.emmanueljal.org/
http://www.gua-africa.org/
You can also connect with Emmanuel on Facebook and MySpace; www.myspace.com/emmanueljal
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