Zangako holds a student's drawing while at the Greater Equatoria Community School in Cairo, Egypt.
Fleeing may be one of the hardest and heaviest decisions one has to take, leaving behind the warmth of home, being with family and the comfort of familiarity. Emmanual Zangako is one of over 45,000 refugees who sought refuge in Egypt, escaping the civil war that has plagued South Sudan for over a decade, causing mass casualties and paralyzing its stability.
A passionate man who strove to pursue his education, Zangako studied International Law at Ain Shams University in Cairo. The burden of pursuing higher education while working to support himself often weighed heavily on Zangako, who at many times, considered quitting just to earn a living. Realizing the opportunities he would be giving up, he persevered and graduated in 2023.
Having experienced firsthand the challenges of life as a refugee, Zangako decided to use his experience to help those at the start of their journey. He established the Youth Support Volunteer Organization (YSVO), a refugee-led community organization that provides stateless and displaced persons with services including food distribution, psychosocial support, sports activities, and workshops, fostering a sense of inclusion and community among those forced to leave home.
“UNHCR Egypt helped us enhance our capacity-building activities, and it was then that external organizations began to reach out,” said Zangako. His efforts resonated through the refugee community, leading to his nomination to join the UN Youth Advisory Board, allowing him to not only represent his community but to advocate on their behalf and propose solutions for pressing issues such as sustainability, community development, and support for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
His passion to help others is the driving force behind many of his endeavors. As an activist, volunteer, and advocate, he empowers youth to participate in initiatives led by Shabab Balad and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Zangako’s journey is a challenging one, but he has found the strength to rise above these challenges and become a role model and inspiration for the entire refugee community.
Generation upon generation of South Sudanese have grappled with conflict in the country, now considered one of the largest prolonged refugee situations in Africa. While the split of South Sudan from Sudan had many dreaming of prosperity and stability, the violence has forced over 2 million people to seek refuge in neighboring countries.
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