Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Emmanuel Jal

Here is a link to a video of an ex-child soldier from Sudan. Emmanuel Jal was drafted to be a soldier when he was only seven years old; his gun was most likely bigger than he was. At the beginning of this video he recites a poem that briefly sums up his troubled childhood. After, he performs a song called "Emma" which is about the woman that rescued him and what he would be without her. Jal is now a spokesperson for world peace and child soldiers and is very well known. For example, he performed at Nelson Mandela's birthday celebration, which is a major indication of his popularity. Enjoy the song.