An ex-child soldier from South Sudan is bringing his powerful message of peace to students across the St. Clair Catholic District School Board.
“We are pleased that Emmanuel Jal is returning to St. Clair Catholic,” says Laura Callaghan, Superintendent of Education. “Since his visit last year to Ursuline College in Chatham, St. Clair Catholic students have been captivated by his personal story of survival and drawn to his message of peace.”
Jal was born in South Sudan, became a child soldier and, eventually, with the help and support of a British aid worker, became a recording artist and activist, with a message of peace and hope, not only for his own country, but for the world.
His story inspired Mrs. Courtney Mellow’s Grade 7 and 8 students at Christ The King Catholic School, Wallaceburg to raise $1,300 last year for his charity, GUA Africa, which promotes and supports education in South Sudan. He now returns to Canada and will speak to both secondary and Grade 4 to 8 students from schools across the district.
“Jal’s inspiring story of overcoming adversity and turning hatred and bitterness into a life of peace has a tremendous impact,” says Callaghan. “It is a message that resonates with students and helps to spur interest in social justice projects.”
Emmanuel Jal’s Chatham-Kent itinerary is listed below:
– November 24 at 9:45 a.m. – Christ The King Catholic School, 227 Thomas Avenue Wallaceburg (students from all three Wallaceburg Catholic schools)
– November 24 at 1:00 p.m. – St. Vincent Catholic School, 9399 McNaughton Line, E., Chatham – (students from six Chatham-Kent Catholic schools)
– November 26 at 9:40 a.m. – Ursuline College, 85 Grand Ave., W., Chatham
