We’ve all experienced when something clicks and our life suddenly changes in a small or big way. Emmanuel Jal, former child soldier who was saved by UK Aid worker Emma McCune when he was a young boy, is now and artist and peace activist. He shares about his past and a pivotal moment that prompted him to think how he thinks, live how he lives, do what he does.
Emmanuel Jal
You in a word -
Purposeful
On you -
I was Born in Tonj, Grew up in South Sudan in the war before I was rescued and taken to Kenya. Now I live in Toronto, Canada - I'm finally a Canadian Citizen! My memories and life as a child soldier growing up in South Sudan and my lowest point where we embarked on a journey and only 16 out of 300 survived are the formative memories that have shaped my life, given me purpose and a desire to be part of a solution and to restore balance.
"I want to create experiences that give people joy and connect them with their purpose to increase their mental power and create the life they want to see. "
On work and purpose –
I'm a recording artist and activist and I use experiences for social emotional learning to create conscious global awakening, through the Arts, Business and Philanthropy. My purpose is spreading acts of kindness, be part of a solution and contribute to restore balance and give without expecting anything in return. I want to create experiences that give people joy and connect them with their purpose to increase their mental power and create the life they want to see.
"When we embarked on the journey where only 16 people survived out of 300, I was nearly tempted to eat my friend because we were starving. This was the lowest point of my life, but it's given me the potential energy to propel me forwards. "
On a formative memory –
When we embarked on the journey where only 16 people survived out of 300, I was nearly tempted to eat my friend because we were starving. This was the lowest point of my life but it's given me the potential energy to propel me forwards.
On your mantra -
On the My Life is Art. I can create the future I want to see.
On now -
I’m most excited about my project Be the Love South Sudan where I'm working with different artists from South Sudan. I'm also touring Canada and the U.S with a fantastic speaker called Elizabeth Koch, I'm launching My Life is Art app and writing my book 'My Life is Art' too which is based on the principles which have guided my life and the daily practices I take to have peace of mind.
"I’m most excited about my project Be the Love South Sudan where I'm working with different artists from South Sudan... and writing my book 'My Life is Art' too which is based on the principles which have guided my life and the daily practices I take to have peace of mind. "
On love -
I love generating positive emotions through storytelling and Art. I see the way it builds community and this is love to me.
On what makes you laugh -
Cartoons.
On ARTICLE22 -
It's a purpose driven company. The peace bracelets are my favorite.