It is often hard to imagine a ray of light emerging from the deep darkness of a bloody war…

But in dismal and violent South Sudan, the Washington Post tells us there’s an amazing story of hope beaming out.

His name is Lam Tungwar.

Dubbed as “South Sudan’s homespun blend of Bono and Bob Marley,” Tungwar is a bonafide star in East Africa.

The former child soldier fled the South Sudanese military and walked to refuge in Kenya at age nine. From there, he got an education and started making music.

He says from his website:

“I have been delivering positive messages through concerts, meetings, conferences, and campaigns and in various activities representing the voices of young people. I am working for the liberation of youth and fight for them in this tough world. My second album, Call the President, is talking a lot about the changes I want to see in our communities all over the world.”

Tungwar has attracted many young fans with his music, which combines positive lyrics with catchy hooks and danceable beats.

Unfortunately his songs, with titles like “Drop the Guns,” “Love,” and “Call the President,” are more of a vision for the future than a reality in today’s South Sudan. 

The turn for the worse in the country has affected Tungwar personally – his three brothers were killed just last month in the conflict. Still, he is hopeful for the future, despite the tremendous amount of suffering taking place.

Tungwar describes it like this:

“When a baby is born, they have diseases and are very sick, and their mother thinks they are going to die, but somehow they make it.”

We hope Tungwar’s music will be a part of the medicine that heals South Sudan. Keep fighting with love, Lam! Do it until they “Drop the Guns.”