Our founder Emmanuel Jal was offered the unique opportunity to give a speech at the prestigious TED global conference in Oxford, UK last month. TED is a nonprofit that started out in 1984 as a conference bringing people together from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, and Design. TED conferences bring together the world’s most fascinating thinkers and doers, ranging from politicians such as Gordon Brown to actresses such as Cameron Diaz. Emmanuel gave an 18 minute speech in which he talked about his life and work with GUA Africa. By the end, he had the audience on their feet clapping to his song "Emma", dedicated to British Aid worker Emma McCune.

The Observer newspaper (26/08/2009) wrote that Emmanuel's speech was "impossibly emotional" and made "hardened CEO's break down and weep". Awarded 'Speech of the Day', he then received another boost when the delegation decided to award GUA Africa €10,000 to go towards the Emma Academy project.

More information about Jal's speech at Ted can be viewed by clicking here.

GUA Africa would like to thank all those at TED that participated in the decision to donate to our cause.