World renowned hip hop artist and refugee activist Emmanuel Jal, and Brotherhood of St Laurence employee David Nyuol Vincent, share an extraordinary story.
Emmanuel Jal
The two spent many years together as young children in a refugee camp in Ethiopia. In 1991, war broke out in Ethiopia and they were both forced to flee to their homeland in Sudan’s south, braving heavy crossfire on the way. Each assumed the other had not survived the journey.
David Nyuol Vincent
Many years later, after David had made Australia his new home, he discovered his old friend was still alive. They made contact via Facebook, and their close friendship resumed. The two childhood friends have recently joined forces to work on community and peace building projects in the lead up to the referendum which took place in January 2011. The vote was held to determine whether Southern Sudan should become an independent nation. (Its independence was formally declared on 9 July, 2011).
This event gives attendees the opportunity to view the amazing documentary of Emmanuel Jal’s life, War Child (in which you’ll see real footage of Emmanuel and David as kids, filmed in the refugee camp), listen to a Q&A session with Emmanuel and David, ask questions, and meet them both in person. Tickets can be purchased for $25, or $20 concession. For more information or to book tickets please visit this link or call (03) 9483 1301.
But for now, I’ll hand you over to David Nyuol Vincent, who will tell you a little bit about himself. David works at the Brotherhood’s Napier Street Child and Family Resource Centre, where, among many other things, he coordinates the Breakfast Club program. (What you'll read below is only a fraction of his story, which is so heartbreaking and inspiring that it almost defies belief – come to the event to find out more).
I’m sure you’ll agree, David’s a truly remarkable person, and this is an event you won’t want to miss. Please spread word of it to your friends and family!
I’m sure you’ll agree, David’s a truly remarkable person, and this is an event you won’t want to miss. Please spread word of it to your friends and family!
Peta Levett, Communications department, the Brotherhood
When I was asked to write a few words about myself and my connection with Emmanuel Jal, who will be touring Australia in October, I thought this could be an opportunity to share with you a bit about me and my involvement with the Brotherhood of St Laurence. I arrived in Australia in August 2004 from Kakuma refugee camp in Northern Kenya where I spent nearly 13 years. Just like any other refugee on their way to a new home I was thrown in deep thoughts of what should I do once I arrived in Melbourne. I knew nothing about Australia back in Africa but one thing I knew for sure was that I’d be free at last.
I arrived with goals of what and who I wanted to be. I had my plans carved well and the only dilemma was how I can perfectly execute them. Of course amongst other things on my to do list were, an opportunity to eat three meals a day, sleep on a soft surface, wake up alive the following morning, sleep throughout the night without worrying myself of what will happen next, cling or cuddle a pillow instead of a gun, sleep throughout the night without hearing any gun shots and an opportunity to go to university. I must confess though I was not sure if I was worthy or clever enough to sit in a mixed class with “white people.” Please pardon my language. I had this image that I was not clever, never mind that I had never been in a proper school setting before. Whilst in the camp and during the war I had no idea what I was capable of doing. I had very low self esteem and lacked confidence. I guess it was because of the environment I was subjected to since I was three years old. All I was ever good at was how to fend for myself; you know what I mean …
I wanted to accomplish everything on my list on the same day. I was so excited that I did not sleep for nearly a week. I was sitting all day eating; I wanted to compensate for the days, months and years where I had little or nothing to eat. I have eaten distasteful things just so I could live to see tomorrow. I am still ashamed to even mention them. I knew nothing beyond the perimeter of the camp. Life in the camp was a nightmare but that was all I knew; no words can convey the horrific conditions I was subjected to through my childhood and early years of my adulthood.
The memories were still fresh and for a second I thought I was day dreaming. I would pinch myself just to check I was not dreaming. I was very glad to realize “this is actually real”. Here in Australia I have all I need, in the land of plenty.
When I was on the plane to Australia, I promised to leave behind all the vivid memories of sorrow and pain I have gone through. I was set to start a new life - a new beginning. I was completely wrong. I had trouble moving forward until I found strength from reviewing my past experiences through sharing my story and only then I developed a desire to make a difference.
I owe a lot to the Brotherhood of St Laurence. My first encounter with the organisation was as a client. When the reality of living in Australia caught up with me a few months later, I rocked up at the front door office of the Brotherhood in 2005, confused and with one question in mind that I had rehearsed well enough. “Can you please find me a job?” I was sharing a three bedroom with my cousins in building 90 Brunswick Street, just opposite the main office. Indeed, they looked after me well. A couple of weeks later my support worker found me my first job at Officeworks in Fitzroy. I have no idea how he managed to get me a position there considering I was fresh from the camp with no work experience … not even a resume.
That same year, I was offered scholarships at University of Melbourne and RMIT. I was thrilled. This was my happiest moment in Australia. For the first time in my life I had an opportunity to choose. I decided to go to University of Melbourne where I completed my BA double major in Criminology and Political Science.
In 2006, I received a phone call from a lady (Kate) who told me about the Breakfast Club program. She was wondering whether I would consider volunteering. After she explained what they do there, I thought I had time to offer. I was completely not sure where this would lead me. The first day I was there I was in love with the program immediately and from one day a week that I was asked to volunteer I made it to three times a week. Immediately I could relate to the kids at the program. A few months later I was offered a part time position and with no hesitation I said yes and since then here I am running the program! I must say am very proud, for the last four years I have never called in sick. No matter how sick I feel in the morning I still drag myself up to come to Breakfast Club. One day I lost the keys to the front door of the hall, I can’t forget that day. I turned up few minutes to 8:00am and just standing at the front door were all these grumpy faces waiting for me. They made me pay for it dearly by constantly reminding me of that day.
I know most of you have only heard of me when the Brotherhood of St Laurence hosted the film screening of War Child, Emmanuel Jal’s story. Emmanuel and I grew up together in Ethiopia until 1991 when the war broke out in Ethiopia and we were forced back to Sudan. Since then I lost touch with him. In such circumstances once you don’t see your friend for a couple of days after heavy cross-fire you rule them out and just assume they are dead. Since I hadn’t heard from Emmanuel after we left Ethiopia I thought that was it for him and he was thinking the same about me.
In 2007 my friends started to talk about this young charismatic South Sudanese singer. When they mentioned his name I thought “hang on, I know this guy”. I started to piece together some clues as to who this Emmanuel might be. I joined Facebook and reluctantly requested Emmanuel to be my friend. At that time he was already big and I thought he might not even take a second to see who I was. The next day Emmanuel accepted my friendship and there came a message confirming whether I was the same David Nyuol. I was very glad that now I know he survived … but singing?! Singing that I was not sure of but recalling things we did together in the camp I knew nothing will stop this guy from achieving what he sets his mind to achieve. I was very happy for him. Since then we have been in touch and together we founded the Sudanese Summit at the end of 2010, just before the elections in Sudan. We went out campaigning together for a peaceful referendum. Back then Sudan was at the brink of another civil war and through this Summit, it was our aim to draw world attention to what was about to happen in Sudan.
Now Emmanuel is set to tour Australia in October and it is a privilege that Emmanuel with be visiting some of our programs to see the good work that the Brotherhood of St Laurence is doing with refugees. There is a lot to be learned from this guy and am glad some of our young clients will be given this opportunity to meet him in person.
I have come so far when I look back, and this could not have been possible without the splendid work environment I continue to enjoy. For this, I say thank you to the Brotherhood of St Laurence.
