JAL Emmanuel
A former child soldier who performs as a singer and poet committed to peace, human rights and the rejection of war.
Country: Sudanese
Biography:
Emmanuel Jal had been forcibly recruited as a child soldier at the age of 7 in the genocidal war between Christians and Muslims in Sudan and Ethiopia. He was rescued at the age of 13 by Emma, an Englishwoman who managed to evacuate around 150 children to Kenya. Thanks to her, he was able to start studying there. Today, he sings around the world, raising public awareness through his records and his documentary Warchild, to encourage civil society to mobilize for peace. See also the text of his interview given to Graines de Paix in the Testimonials section.Publications:
- Documentary WARchild, 2008, Audience Award at the Tribeca Film Festival, (New York City)
- WARchild, disc, 2008
- Ceasefire, record, 2005
- Riverboat, record
- A Day In The Life, record