For the past few months the pain of an empty stomach has plagued Emmanuel Jal.
With a self-imposed diet of one meal a day Jal denies his body's hunger to feed his current dream: to construct a school for refugee children in Kenya.
Tonight" Jal will visit UNC as a speaker and entertainer for ""Performances for Peace: A Diary of Darfur"" hosted by Students United for Darfur Awareness Now.
As an ex-Sudanese child soldier, Jal's current mission to erect a school is only one example of his dedication to aiding and educating those who remain in war-torn areas of Africa.
He said he feels satiated knowing that the money he would spend on two meals daily will buy a few more bricks for the school's building. Raising the needed money isn't the only reason he skips meals, though.
I'm missing out on my meals because it reminds me this one cause is something I need to achieve right now" Jal said.
We need food" but with no vision you perish.""
Since his escape from Sudan through the aid of a British volunteer" Jal has achieved success as a hip-hop artist" starred in the documentary ""War Child"" and served as a powerful voice against what many have deemed genocide in Darfur.
Jal's autobiography"" ""War Child"" which will be released this spring, expresses in print the horrors that he and thousands of other children in Sudan witnessed during war.
My music tells my story also" but in the book every chapter is a movie of its own Jal said.
Some people may not believe what's in it but in the end they'll know that I'm still here" and testifying to what I've seen and been through.""
Julian March" the media coordinator for S.U.D.A.N." said that both Jal's personal experience as a child soldier and the efforts he's made to help Darfur pushed the group to involve him in the event.
""Jal says in his music that he believes he's here to help people and touch lives"" March said. We felt he was the perfect speaker for ‘A Diary of Darfur.'""
Stephen Lee" who works for St. Martin's Press the publisher of Jal's book" said he has witnessed Jal's passion to help firsthand.
""The fact that he's willing to eat only one meal a day shows what kind of devotion he has"" Lee said. He's just one of those guys who wants to lead by example.""
Lee was a major advocate for the publication of Jal's memoir.
Though his past still weighs on him"" Jal has managed to retain a buoyant attitude. He hopes that students will hear his story and feel compelled to move to action too.
""I believe in people. I believe they can make things happen" Jal said.
I have a message of peace and hope" and I want to inspire people to carry on this message as well.""
HEAR EMMANUEL JAL SPEAK
Time: 7 p.m. today
Location: Memorial Hall
Info: www.unc.edu/sudan
Tickets: $3
Contact the Features Editor at features@unc.edu.
