Our guest writer is Saree Mading, Chief of Staff for the Luol Deng Foundation, a MATTER Pro partner. The Foundation recently began a new initiative, the South Sudan Youth Camp Activity, to strengthen and develop the youth of South Sudan through the power of sport.

She showed up to camp in a white skirt and blouse set that screamed “Model in the making!” Her long hair, makeup and heels made me think that she was not supposed to be at camp. She looked as if she’d just come from a really nice party. I was especially concerned about how she would fit in given all the eyes watching her every move with judgment in their eyes: she was so overdressed. None of us were expecting what we would see the next day.

Monday morning, all the campers were required to stand at the podium and state their name, their favorite sport, and their favorite food. Well, well, well…the young lady by the name of Sabura Foibe John walked up looking completely transformed! She’d come the day before with a long wig, but on Monday morning she got to the podium with a short natural afro. She stated her name, her favorite sport (basketball), and favorite food. And then…THEN…she burst out with a song and a rap that talked about young girls staying in school even when young boys are trying their best to court them and make them lose focus. As the entire room clapped to the rhythm and repeated the hook, I knew I had to talk to her! Pulling her aside, I was eager to learn more about this fearless young woman and what brought her to the camp.

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