From Greenbelt to University of Notre Dame, Panther’s Story.

‘‘Greenbelt Academy opened my eyes to entrepreneurial leadership, being proactive, and looking at challenges as opportunities for change. I was never taught essay writing in high school, but I had to write essays in order to apply to African Leadership Academy where I studied in South Africa, and later to Notre Dame. I read a few books on my own, asked for help, and consistently practiced writing, which helped me reach this point. Through support from the school, especially Mr. Majak (founder of Education Bridge), Mr. Paul Kut Kelei (Greenbelt Academy’s high school counselor), and my friends, I applied to African Leadership Academy and was admitted. Who would have thought that a kid from Kiryandongo refugee camp would attend a pan-African boarding school in Johannesburg, South Africa? Greenbelt Academy opened doors for me to both African Leadership Academy and the University of Notre Dame. I am forever grateful to all the staff at Greenbelt for their continued support in cultivating leaders who will transform the country.’’

Panther with Katie Conboy, the President of Saint Mary’s College and John I. Jenkins, President of the University of Notre Dame.

Joining the African Leadership Academy (ALA) in 2021 is one of the life-changing opportunities that has happened to me. I got to connect with like-minded people, across the African continent working together to create lasting Peace and Prosperity in our communities. Apart from being surrounded by great minds, ALA offered me an opportunity for self-exploration and the development of my leadership skills. At ALA, students voted me as the Entertainment representative of the student government. I organized events on campus, in compliance with COVID-19 protocols, giving me the opportunity to care, understand, and put others’ needs before mine. I was also a student ambassador, a program that allowed me to meet prospective parents, students, and donors of the school. I shared my story and ALA’s mission with the outside world by sharing my first-hand experiences as a student.

ALA also gave me the opportunity and facilities to play basketball, the sport I am really passionate about. Playing basketball with students from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds was amazing to be a part of. It brought so much joy and even when we did not know much about each other’s backgrounds, we worked together as a team to achieve a common goal. I began to understand that my passion for basketball could extend beyond just playing it with friends and having fun. I witnessed the power it held at bringing different cultures and backgrounds together in an instant, which is much needed today in my community. I was appointed as the co-captain of the school basketball team because of the love I have for the game, my hard work, and my ability to lead others. This was truly an amazing experience as I got to understand what it means to lead people different from myself and how to navigate a multicultural environment on and off the court. I hope to use this game to unite the youth, and discover and develop talents in my community. Sports is one of the many ways I believe we can achieve peace in South Sudan. Back in South Sudan, schools lack sports facilities, especially basketball courts, and youth who are as passionate about sports as I do not get the opportunity to explore their talents and abilities. I hope to use the opportunity I got to give back to those less fortunate. Through ALA, I got admitted to the University of Notre Dame. I therefore consider ALA a stepping stone that cultivated and led me to greater opportunities.

I am incredibly grateful to my former school, Greenbelt Academy Bor, founded by Education Bridge. I met the founder, Ngor Majak Anyieth in the Kiryandongo refugee settlement in Bweyale, Uganda. Majak’s and my family were neighbors and I got to meet him when he visited. He spoke to me about his journey to African Leadership Academy in South Africa and later to Notre Dame. Through him I learned about the diverse, conducive, and transformative learning environment at ALA, and the many resources and supportive family at Notre Dame. I decided then that Notre Dame was where I wanted to go. There were obviously many requirements I needed to apply to Notre Dame, one of which was writing a personal statement. Mr. Ngor Majak Anyieth told me about Greenbelt Academy, the school he founded to inspire and educate a generation of peacemakers and transformational leaders. Through Greenbelt, I would apply to African Leadership Academy which would later lead me to Notre Dame. I decided to transfer to Greenbelt Academy and finish my high school education in Bor, South Sudan.

Greenbelt Academy opened my eyes to entrepreneurial leadership, being proactive, and looking at challenges as opportunities for change. I was never taught essay writing in high school, but I had to write essays in order to apply to African Leadership Academy where I studied in South Africa, and later to Notre Dame. I read a few books on my own, asked for help, and consistently practiced writing, which helped me reach this point. Through support from the school, especially Mr. Majak (founder of Education Bridge), Mr. Paul Kut Kelei (Greenbelt Academy’s high school counselor), and my friends, I applied to African Leadership Academy and was admitted. Who would have thought that a kid from Kiryandongo refugee camp would attend a pan-African boarding school in Johannesburg, South Africa? Greenbelt Academy opened doors for me to both African Leadership Academy and the University of Notre Dame. I am forever grateful to all the staff at Greenbelt for their continued support in cultivating leaders who will transform the country. Greenbelt alumni are all around the world exploring their different passions, and doing things that will help create change in their communities.

When I tell my Notre Dame story, it is impossible not to mention that Greenbelt Academy was founded by a Notre Dame alumnus, Ngor Majak, whose journey inspired me. His experiences at Notre Dame compelled me to such an extent that I followed in his footsteps. Recognizing the challenges that so many high school students had, I decided after my first year at Notre Dame to go back to Bor, South Sudan and spent the summer of 2023 helping students at my former high school learn to write essays – an invaluable life skill that I believe will help them take advantage of many opportunities around the world. I will continue to use the resources and meaningful connections I made here at Notre Dame to give back to my community as much as I can.