I just want to say my name is Emmanuel Jal.
I just want to say my name is Emmanuel Jal.

And I come from a long way.
And I come from a long way.

I've been telling a story that has been so painful for me.
I've been telling a story that has been so painful for me.

It's been a tough journey for me, traveling the world,
It's been a tough journey for me, traveling the world,

telling my story in form of a book.
telling my story in form of a book.

And also telling it like now.
And also telling it like now.

And also, the easiest one was
And also, the easiest one was

when I was doing it in form of a music.
when I was doing it in form of a music.

So I have branded myself as a war child.
So I have branded myself as a war child.

I'm doing this
I'm doing this

because of an old lady in my village now,
because of an old lady in my village now,

who have lost her children.
who have lost her children.

There is no newspaper to cover her pain,
There is no newspaper to cover her pain,

and what she wants to change in this society.
and what she wants to change in this society.

And I'm doing it for a young man
And I'm doing it for a young man

who want to create a change and has no way to project his voice
who want to create a change and has no way to project his voice

because he can't write.
because he can't write.

Or there is no Internet, like Facebook, MySpace,
Or there is no Internet, like Facebook, MySpace,

YouTube, for them to talk.
YouTube, for them to talk.

Also one thing that kept me pushing this story,
Also one thing that kept me pushing this story,

this painful stories out, the dreams I have,
this painful stories out, the dreams I have,

sometimes, is like the voices of the dead,
sometimes, is like the voices of the dead,

that I have seen
that I have seen

would tell me, "Don't give up. Keep on going."
would tell me, "Don't give up. Keep on going."

Because sometime I feel like stopping and not doing it,
Because sometime I feel like stopping and not doing it,

because I didn't know what I was putting myself into.
because I didn't know what I was putting myself into.

Well I was born in the most difficult time,
Well I was born in the most difficult time,

when my country was at war.
when my country was at war.

I saw my village burned down.
I saw my village burned down.

The world that meant a lot to me, I saw it
The world that meant a lot to me, I saw it

vanish in my face.
vanish in my face.

I saw my aunt in rape when I was only five.
I saw my aunt in rape when I was only five.

My mother was claimed by the war.
My mother was claimed by the war.

My brothers and sisters were scattered.
My brothers and sisters were scattered.

And up to now, me and my father
And up to now, me and my father

were detached and I still have issues with him.
were detached and I still have issues with him.

Seeing people die every day,
Seeing people die every day,

my mother crying,
my mother crying,

it's like I was raised in a violence.
it's like I was raised in a violence.

And that made me call myself a war child.
And that made me call myself a war child.

And not only that, when I was eight
And not only that, when I was eight

I became a child soldier.
I became a child soldier.

I didn't know what was the war for.
I didn't know what was the war for.

But one thing I knew
But one thing I knew

was an image that I saw that stuck in my head.
was an image that I saw that stuck in my head.

When I went to the training camp I say,
When I went to the training camp I say,

"I want to kill as many Muslims,
"I want to kill as many Muslims,

and as many Arabs, as possible."
and as many Arabs, as possible."

The training wasn't easy, but that was the driving force,
The training wasn't easy, but that was the driving force,

because I wanted to revenge for my family.
because I wanted to revenge for my family.

I wanted to revenge for my village.
I wanted to revenge for my village.

Luckily now things have changed
Luckily now things have changed

because I came to discover the truth.
because I came to discover the truth.

What was actually killing us wasn't the Muslims,
What was actually killing us wasn't the Muslims,

wasn't the Arabs.
wasn't the Arabs.

It was somebody sitting somewhere manipulating the system,
It was somebody sitting somewhere manipulating the system,

and using religion to get what they want to get out of us,
and using religion to get what they want to get out of us,

which is the oil, the diamond,
which is the oil, the diamond,

the gold and the land.
the gold and the land.

So realizing the truth gave me a position to choose:
So realizing the truth gave me a position to choose:

should I continue to hate, or let it go?
should I continue to hate, or let it go?

So I happened to forgive. Now I sing
So I happened to forgive. Now I sing

music with the Muslims. I dance with them.
music with the Muslims. I dance with them.

I even had a movie out called "War Child,"
I even had a movie out called "War Child,"

funded by Muslim people.
funded by Muslim people.

So that pain has gone out.
So that pain has gone out.

But my story is huge.
But my story is huge.

So I'm just going to go into a different step now,
So I'm just going to go into a different step now,

which is easier for me.
which is easier for me.

I'm going to give you poem
I'm going to give you poem

called "Forced to Sin,"
called "Forced to Sin,"

which is from my album "War Child."
which is from my album "War Child."

I talk about my story.
I talk about my story.

One of the journey that I tread
One of the journey that I tread

when I was tempted to eat my friend because we had no food
when I was tempted to eat my friend because we had no food

and we were like around 400.
and we were like around 400.

And only 16 people survived that journey.
And only 16 people survived that journey.

So I hope you're going to hear this.
So I hope you're going to hear this.

My dreams are like torment.
My dreams are like torment.

My every moment.
My every moment.

Voices in my brain, of friends that was slain.
Voices in my brain, of friends that was slain.

Friends like Lual who died by my side,
Friends like Lual who died by my side,

of starvation.
of starvation.

In the burning jungle, and the desert plain.
In the burning jungle, and the desert plain.

Next was I, but Jesus heard my cry.
Next was I, but Jesus heard my cry.

As I was tempted to eat the rotten flesh
As I was tempted to eat the rotten flesh

of my comrade,
of my comrade,

he gave me comfort.
he gave me comfort.

We used to raid villages,
We used to raid villages,

stealing chickens, goats and sheeps,
stealing chickens, goats and sheeps,

anything we could eat.
anything we could eat.

I knew it was rude, but we needed food.
I knew it was rude, but we needed food.

And therefore I was forced to sin,
And therefore I was forced to sin,

forced to sin to make a living,
forced to sin to make a living,

forced to sin to make a living.
forced to sin to make a living.

Sometimes you gotta lose to win.
Sometimes you gotta lose to win.

Never give up. Never give in.
Never give up. Never give in.

Left home at the age of seven.
Left home at the age of seven.

One year later, live with an AK-47 by my side.
One year later, live with an AK-47 by my side.

Slept with one eye open wide.
Slept with one eye open wide.

Run, duck, play dead and hide.
Run, duck, play dead and hide.

I've seen my people die like flies.
I've seen my people die like flies.

But I've never seen a dead body,
But I've never seen a dead body,

at least one that I've killed.
at least one that I've killed.

But still as I wonder, I won't go under.
But still as I wonder, I won't go under.

Guns barking like lightning and thunder.
Guns barking like lightning and thunder.

As a child so young and tender,
As a child so young and tender,

Words I can't forget I still remember.
Words I can't forget I still remember.

I saw sergeant command raising his hand,
I saw sergeant command raising his hand,

no retreat, no surrender.
no retreat, no surrender.

I carry the banner of the trauma.
I carry the banner of the trauma.

War child, child without a mama,
War child, child without a mama,

still fighting in the saga.
still fighting in the saga.

Yet as I wage this new war I'm not alone in this drama.
Yet as I wage this new war I'm not alone in this drama.

No sit or stop, as I reach for the top
No sit or stop, as I reach for the top

I'm fully dedicated like a patriotic cop.
I'm fully dedicated like a patriotic cop.

I'm on a fight, day and night.
I'm on a fight, day and night.

Sometime I do wrong in order to make things right.
Sometime I do wrong in order to make things right.

It's like I'm living a dream.
It's like I'm living a dream.

First time I'm feeling like a human being.
First time I'm feeling like a human being.

Ah! The children of Darfur.
Ah! The children of Darfur.

Your empty bellies on the telly and now it's you
Your empty bellies on the telly and now it's you

that I'm fighting for.
that I'm fighting for.

Left home.
Left home.

Don't even know the day I'll ever return.
Don't even know the day I'll ever return.

My country is war-torn.
My country is war-torn.

Music I used to hear was bombs and fire of guns.
Music I used to hear was bombs and fire of guns.

So many people die that I don't even cry no more.
So many people die that I don't even cry no more.

Ask God question, what am I here for.
Ask God question, what am I here for.

And why are my people poor.
And why are my people poor.

And why, why when the rest of the children were learning how to read and write,
And why, why when the rest of the children were learning how to read and write,

I was learning how to fight.
I was learning how to fight.

I ate snails, vultures, rabbits,
I ate snails, vultures, rabbits,

snakes, and anything that had life.
snakes, and anything that had life.

I was ready to eat.
I was ready to eat.

I know it's a shame. But who is to be blamed?
I know it's a shame. But who is to be blamed?

That's my story shared in the form of a lesson.
That's my story shared in the form of a lesson.

(Applause)
(Applause)

Thank you.
Thank you.

(Applause)
(Applause)

What energized me and kept me going is the music I do.
What energized me and kept me going is the music I do.

I never saw anybody
I never saw anybody

to tell my story to them
to tell my story to them

so they could advise me or do therapy.
so they could advise me or do therapy.

So the music had been my therapy for me.
So the music had been my therapy for me.

It's been where I actually see heaven,
It's been where I actually see heaven,

where I can be happy,
where I can be happy,

where I can be a child again, in dances, through music.
where I can be a child again, in dances, through music.

So one thing I know about music:
So one thing I know about music:

music is the only thing that has power
music is the only thing that has power

to enter your cell system,
to enter your cell system,

your mind, your heart,
your mind, your heart,

influence your soul and your spirit,
influence your soul and your spirit,

and can even influence the way you live
and can even influence the way you live

without even you knowing.
without even you knowing.

Music is the only thing that can
Music is the only thing that can

make you want to wake up your bed
make you want to wake up your bed

and shake your leg,
and shake your leg,

without even wanting to do it.
without even wanting to do it.

And so the power music has
And so the power music has

I normally compare to the power love
I normally compare to the power love

when love doesn't see a color.
when love doesn't see a color.

You know, if you fall in love with a frog, that's it.
You know, if you fall in love with a frog, that's it.

One testimony about how I find music
One testimony about how I find music

is powerful is when
is powerful is when

I was still a soldier back then.
I was still a soldier back then.

I hated the people in the north.
I hated the people in the north.

But I don't know why I don't hate their music.
But I don't know why I don't hate their music.

So we party and dance to their music.
So we party and dance to their music.

And one thing that shocked me is one day
And one thing that shocked me is one day

they brought an Arab musician
they brought an Arab musician

to come and entertain the soldiers.
to come and entertain the soldiers.

And I almost broke my leg dancing to his music.
And I almost broke my leg dancing to his music.

But I had this question.
But I had this question.

So now I'm doing music so I know what the power of music is.
So now I'm doing music so I know what the power of music is.

So what's happening here?
So what's happening here?

I've been in a painful journey.
I've been in a painful journey.

Today is day number 233
Today is day number 233

in which I only eat dinner.
in which I only eat dinner.

I don't eat breakfast. No lunch.
I don't eat breakfast. No lunch.

And I've done a campaign called
And I've done a campaign called

Lose to Win.
Lose to Win.

Where I'm losing so that I could win
Where I'm losing so that I could win

the battle that I'm fighting now.
the battle that I'm fighting now.

So my breakfast, my lunch,
So my breakfast, my lunch,

I donate it to a charity that I founded
I donate it to a charity that I founded

because we want to build a school in Sudan.
because we want to build a school in Sudan.

And I'm doing this because also
And I'm doing this because also

it's a normal thing in my home, people eat one meal a day.
it's a normal thing in my home, people eat one meal a day.

Here I am in the West. I choose not to.
Here I am in the West. I choose not to.

So in my village now, kids there,
So in my village now, kids there,

they normally listen to BBC, or any radio,
they normally listen to BBC, or any radio,

and they are waiting to know,
and they are waiting to know,

the day Emmanuel will eat his breakfast
the day Emmanuel will eat his breakfast

it means he got the money to build our school.
it means he got the money to build our school.

And so I made a commitment. I say,
And so I made a commitment. I say,

"I'm gonna not eat my breakfast."
"I'm gonna not eat my breakfast."

I thought I was famous enough that I would raise the money within one month,
I thought I was famous enough that I would raise the money within one month,

but I've been humbled.
but I've been humbled.

(Laughter)
(Laughter)

So it's taken me 232 days.
So it's taken me 232 days.

And I said, "No stop until we get it."
And I said, "No stop until we get it."

And like it's been done on Facebook, MySpace.
And like it's been done on Facebook, MySpace.

The people are giving three dollars.
The people are giving three dollars.

The lowest amount we ever got was 20 cents.
The lowest amount we ever got was 20 cents.

Somebody donated 20 cents online.
Somebody donated 20 cents online.

I don't know how they did it.
I don't know how they did it.

(Laughter)
(Laughter)

But that moved me.
But that moved me.

And so, the importance of education to me
And so, the importance of education to me

is what I'm willing to die for.
is what I'm willing to die for.

I'm willing to die for this,
I'm willing to die for this,

because I know what it can do to my people.
because I know what it can do to my people.

Education enlighten your brain,
Education enlighten your brain,

give you so many chances,
give you so many chances,

and you're able to survive.
and you're able to survive.

As a nation we have been crippled.
As a nation we have been crippled.

For so many years we have fed on aid.
For so many years we have fed on aid.

You see a 20-years-old, 30-years-old
You see a 20-years-old, 30-years-old

families in a refugee camps.
families in a refugee camps.

They only get the food that drops from the sky, from the U.N.
They only get the food that drops from the sky, from the U.N.

So these people,
So these people,

you're killing a whole generation if you just give them aid.
you're killing a whole generation if you just give them aid.

If anybody want to help us
If anybody want to help us

this is what we need.
this is what we need.

Give us tools. Give the farmers tools.
Give us tools. Give the farmers tools.

It's rain. Africa is fertile. They can grow the crops.
It's rain. Africa is fertile. They can grow the crops.

(Applause)
(Applause)

Invest in education.
Invest in education.

Education so that we have strong institution
Education so that we have strong institution

that can create a revolution to change everything.
that can create a revolution to change everything.

Because we have all those old men
Because we have all those old men

that are creating wars in Africa. They will die soon.
that are creating wars in Africa. They will die soon.

But if you invest in education
But if you invest in education

then we'll be able to change Africa.
then we'll be able to change Africa.

That's what I'm asking.
That's what I'm asking.

(Applause)
(Applause)

So in order to do that,
So in order to do that,

I founded a charter called Gua Africa,
I founded a charter called Gua Africa,

where we put kids in school.
where we put kids in school.

And now we have a couple in university.
And now we have a couple in university.

We have like 40 kids, ex-child soldiers
We have like 40 kids, ex-child soldiers

mixed with anybody that we feel like we want to support.
mixed with anybody that we feel like we want to support.

And I said "I'm going to put it in practice."
And I said "I'm going to put it in practice."

And with the people that are going to follow me and help me do things.
And with the people that are going to follow me and help me do things.

That's what I want to do to change,
That's what I want to do to change,

to make a difference in the world.
to make a difference in the world.

Well now, my time is going,
Well now, my time is going,

so I want to sing a song.
so I want to sing a song.

But I'll ask you guys to stand up
But I'll ask you guys to stand up

so we celebrate the life of a British aid worker
so we celebrate the life of a British aid worker

called Emma McCune
called Emma McCune

that made it possible for me to be here.
that made it possible for me to be here.

I'm gonna sing this song,
I'm gonna sing this song,

just to inspire you how this woman has made a difference.
just to inspire you how this woman has made a difference.

She came to my country and saw the importance
She came to my country and saw the importance

of education.
of education.

She said the only way to help Sudan
She said the only way to help Sudan

is to invest in the women, educating them,
is to invest in the women, educating them,

educating the children,
educating the children,

so that they could come and create a revolution
so that they could come and create a revolution

in this complex society.
in this complex society.

So she even ended up marrying a commander
So she even ended up marrying a commander

from the SPLA.
from the SPLA.

And she rescued over 150 child soldiers.
And she rescued over 150 child soldiers.

One of them happened to be me now.
One of them happened to be me now.

And so at this moment I want to ask to celebrate Emma with me.
And so at this moment I want to ask to celebrate Emma with me.

Are you guys ready to celebrate Emma?
Are you guys ready to celebrate Emma?

Audience: Yes!
Audience: Yes!

Emmanuel Jal: All right.
Emmanuel Jal: All right.

♫ This one goes to Emma McCune ♫
♫ This one goes to Emma McCune ♫

♫ Angel to rescue came one afternoon ♫
♫ Angel to rescue came one afternoon ♫

♫ I'm here because you rescued me ♫
♫ I'm here because you rescued me ♫

♫ I'm proud to carry your legacy ♫
♫ I'm proud to carry your legacy ♫

♫ Thank you. Bless you. R.I.P. ♫
♫ Thank you. Bless you. R.I.P. ♫

♫ What would I be? Me! ♫
♫ What would I be? Me! ♫

♫ If Emma never rescued me? What would I be? ♫
♫ If Emma never rescued me? What would I be? ♫

♫ What would I be? Me! ♫
♫ What would I be? Me! ♫

♫ Another starving refugee ♫
♫ Another starving refugee ♫

♫ What would I be? ♫
♫ What would I be? ♫

♫ What would I be? Me! ♫
♫ What would I be? Me! ♫

♫ If Emma never rescued me? Yeah! ♫
♫ If Emma never rescued me? Yeah! ♫

♫ Yeah! Yeah! ♫
♫ Yeah! Yeah! ♫

♫ You would have seen my face on the telly ♫
♫ You would have seen my face on the telly ♫

♫ Fat hungry belly ♫
♫ Fat hungry belly ♫

♫ Flies in my eyes, head too big for my size ♫
♫ Flies in my eyes, head too big for my size ♫

♫ Just another little starving child ♫
♫ Just another little starving child ♫

♫ Running around in Africa, born to be wild ♫
♫ Running around in Africa, born to be wild ♫

♫ Praise God, praise the Almighty ♫
♫ Praise God, praise the Almighty ♫

♫ for sending an angel to rescue me ♫
♫ for sending an angel to rescue me ♫

♫ I got a reason for being on this Earth ♫
♫ I got a reason for being on this Earth ♫

♫ 'Cause I know more than many what a life is worth ♫
♫ 'Cause I know more than many what a life is worth ♫

♫ Now that I got a chance to stand my ground ♫
♫ Now that I got a chance to stand my ground ♫

♫ I'm gonna run over mountains, leaps and bounds ♫
♫ I'm gonna run over mountains, leaps and bounds ♫

♫ I ain't an angel, hope I'll be one soon ♫
♫ I ain't an angel, hope I'll be one soon ♫

♫ And if I am, I wanna be like Emma McCune ♫
♫ And if I am, I wanna be like Emma McCune ♫

♫ Me! What would I be? Me! ♫
♫ Me! What would I be? Me! ♫

♫ If Emma never rescued me? ♫
♫ If Emma never rescued me? ♫

♫ What would I be? ♫
♫ What would I be? ♫

♫ What would I be? Me! ♫
♫ What would I be? Me! ♫

♫ Another starving refugee ♫
♫ Another starving refugee ♫

♫ What would I be? ♫
♫ What would I be? ♫

♫ What would I be? Me! ♫
♫ What would I be? Me! ♫

♫ If Emma never rescued me? Yeah! Yeah!♫
♫ If Emma never rescued me? Yeah! Yeah!♫

♫ Yeah, Yeah! ♫
♫ Yeah, Yeah! ♫

♫ I would have probably died from starvation ♫
♫ I would have probably died from starvation ♫

♫ Or some other wretched disease ♫
♫ Or some other wretched disease ♫

♫ I would have grown up with no education ♫
♫ I would have grown up with no education ♫

♫ Just another refugee ♫
♫ Just another refugee ♫

♫ I stand here because somebody cared ♫
♫ I stand here because somebody cared ♫

♫ I stand here because somebody dared ♫
♫ I stand here because somebody dared ♫

♫ I know there is a lot of Emmas out there ♫
♫ I know there is a lot of Emmas out there ♫

♫ Who is willing and trying to save a life of a child ♫
♫ Who is willing and trying to save a life of a child ♫

♫ What would I be? Me! ♫
♫ What would I be? Me! ♫

♫ If Emma never rescued me? ♫
♫ If Emma never rescued me? ♫

♫ What would I be? ♫
♫ What would I be? ♫

♫ What would I be? ♫
♫ What would I be? ♫

♫ Another starving refugee ♫
♫ Another starving refugee ♫

♫ I remember the time when I was small ♫
♫ I remember the time when I was small ♫

♫ When I couldn't read or write at all ♫
♫ When I couldn't read or write at all ♫

♫ Now I'm all grown up, I got my education ♫
♫ Now I'm all grown up, I got my education ♫

♫ The sky is the limit and I can't be stopped by no one ♫
♫ The sky is the limit and I can't be stopped by no one ♫

♫ How I prayed for this day to come ♫
♫ How I prayed for this day to come ♫

♫ And I pray that the world find wisdom ♫
♫ And I pray that the world find wisdom ♫

♫ To give the poor in need some assistance ♫
♫ To give the poor in need some assistance ♫

♫ Instead of putting up resistance, yeah ♫
♫ Instead of putting up resistance, yeah ♫

♫ Sitting and waiting for the politics to fix this ♫
♫ Sitting and waiting for the politics to fix this ♫

♫ It ain't gonna happen ♫
♫ It ain't gonna happen ♫

♫ They're all sitting on they asses ♫
♫ They're all sitting on they asses ♫

♫ Popping champagne and sponging off the masses ♫
♫ Popping champagne and sponging off the masses ♫

♫ Coming from a refugee boy-soldier ♫
♫ Coming from a refugee boy-soldier ♫

♫ But I still got my dignity ♫
♫ But I still got my dignity ♫

♫ I gotta say it again ♫
♫ I gotta say it again ♫

♫ If Emma never rescued me ♫
♫ If Emma never rescued me ♫

♫ I'd be a corpse on the African plain ♫
♫ I'd be a corpse on the African plain ♫

Is there anybody who's here in the back, some love.
Is there anybody who's here in the back, some love.

Big scream for Emma everybody.
Big scream for Emma everybody.

Yeah! I'm gonna get crazy now.
Yeah! I'm gonna get crazy now.

♫ What would I be? ♫
♫ What would I be? ♫

♫ If Emma never rescued me? ♫
♫ If Emma never rescued me? ♫

♫ What would I be? ♫
♫ What would I be? ♫

♫ Another starving refugee ♫
♫ Another starving refugee ♫

♫ What would I be? ♫
♫ What would I be? ♫

♫ If Emma never rescued me? ♫
♫ If Emma never rescued me? ♫

♫ Yeah, Yeah ♫
♫ Yeah, Yeah ♫

♫ Yeah, I would have probably died from starvation ♫
♫ Yeah, I would have probably died from starvation ♫

♫ Or some other wretched disease ♫
♫ Or some other wretched disease ♫

♫ I would have grown up with no education ♫
♫ I would have grown up with no education ♫

♫ Just another refugee ♫
♫ Just another refugee ♫

(Applause)
(Applause)

Thank you.
Thank you.

(Applause)
(Applause)

Go save a life of a child.
Go save a life of a child.

(Applause)
(Applause)