Post by Noushig Etyemezian

✨📍Nairobi Last weekend I had the honor and the massive joy to meet Emmanuel Jal . Once a very young child soldier from #Sudan today a talented , highly respected and massively loved Artist, Musician, Author, Dj, Producer, Singer, Mentor, Philanthropist 🤍 Jal was more than a #refugee Jal was more than a #childsoldier What a man, what a journey, what a story, what an inspiration! Jal is one of the many #stories a Protection Officer might have listened to, registered, referred to resettlement or just decided that he is JUST another refugee. Meeting him gave me loads of flashbacks, loads of memories, ones I am proud of and ones I'd rather not have witnessed … 🇺🇳The blue jersey we wear, the badge and the diplomatic passport we are too proud to hold DO come with a responsibility, too many responsibilities. Jal reminded me that no one is too small to make a #difference His story reminded me of many who got a second chance for a better life only because one person did their job right. The system is there to protect the unprotected but refusing to use that system does sometimes cost lives… far too many lives… True , we are not doctors But we still often change lives But we still often save lives Someone once told me I could still do good but be good to myself too (ie stop working in warzones) that felt #bitter not better, that still feels selfish not loving… What you do at the #frontlines can never be replicated from behind a desk What you #learn from people and with people will always go far beyond anything an online course can teach you #FieldReality That is the Reality And that Reality Is Not for everyone and that IS OK✨🤍 Inspired, Humbled, Proud & Looking forward to what’s coming▶️