A child soldier at the age of 12, Mandela learned that dialogue and not violence is the tool for peaceful resolution. The tragic experiences of his childhood led him to seek education, find faith in Jesus, and become an advocate of peace, dedicated to national and community change as an advocate of peace in South Sudan and the refugee camps. Because of decades of civil wars, most people that survived the conflicts in South Sudan are/were displaced. This has resulted in a staggering 82% illiteracy rate. “For the past ten years, working for Alfalit has been very impacting in my life and lifts up my spirit to best serve the people of my country,” Mandela says.
Mandela has a bachelor’s degree from Ndejje University in Uganda, majoring in Project Planning, Organizational Psychology and Philosophy, Financial Management, Industrial Relations, Research and Evaluation Methodology, Procurement Management, Entrepreneurship Skill Development, and Organization Development Skills. Mandela and his wife have two children, and raised eight foster children, four orphans from the civil war in South Sudan.
