Latjor Wuon Lat Dak

Resilience Forged – A Decade’s Odyssey from Darkness to Empowerment

Akoben: Stories of Impact.

Tales of Courage is a series that speaks about the power of education as a tool for transformative change in the world. They are told through the lens of Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni. Here is Latjor’s story.

Latjor Wuon Lat Dak was born during South Sudan’s liberation struggle. Born into a family that did not have the resources to pursue a formal education, Dak found inspiration in learning, seeing education as a means of uplifting his family and community from their dire circumstances.

His darkest phase was in December 2013, as political turmoil erupted into tribal warfare in South Sudan that resulted in the loss of thousands of lives. Dak and his family fled and were forced into an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp.

Dak and his family were forced to flee the horror of tribal killings, leaving behind their possessions and homes and joining the ranks of survivors seeking refuge in their own land; they became part of the IDP community, seeking refuge as they had become targets because of their ethnicity.

Living in the camps for ten years, Dak and his fellow IDP community endured hardships, including livelihood problems, food shortage, education deprivation and security challenges.

Despite the challenges, Dak completed his primary and secondary education. However, due to the ongoing crisis and lack of financial sponsorship, he spent five years out of school, unable to continue his university education.

After completing his secondary education, Dak participated in youth leadership programs and advocacy within the camp. He served as one of the youth leaders and was actively involved in community volunteerism. Dak volunteered to teach in crisis contexts in the camp, educating the next generation of survivors in primary and secondary schools. Along with his fellow team members, Dak co-founded schools in the camp, enrolling more than 500 students annually from 2019 to 2023.

Faced with numerous scholarship application rejections, Dak’s thirst for knowledge led him to pursue TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) tertiary education training. His efforts caught the attention of UNICEF and INTERSOS, which provided teacher training in the camp. Dak underwent teacher training in a crisis context and selflessly served the community voluntarily, educating youth and children.

Amid these efforts to give back, Dak sought to obtain tertiary education. He applied for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Program at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa) three times each within a period of three years but was rejected each time.

Dak’s education activism nevertheless caught the attention of a UNICEF staff member who mentored him. The mentor encouraged Dak to apply to the African Leadership University in Rwanda (ALU-Rwanda). He left no stone unturned, including many documents not required in the application, showcasing his volunteerism and commitment to giving back to the community in the camp. From references to certificates, Dak aimed to impress the scholarship committee with his remarkable recommendations and attestations.

He spent two days fasting and praying as he prepared his application. Despite his diligence, Dak faced limitations as he did not have a passport or an English test.

“This opportunity, which I have long sought, feels like a divine intervention guiding me to the Pan-Africanism University with a mission of producing the next generation of leaders who will transform Africa. Connecting with diverse individuals and fellow Pan-Africanists resonates deeply with my aspirations. This university embodies the ideals I’ve yearned for, and it’s transformed me in ways I couldn’t have imagined—physically, mentally, and emotionally,” Dak declares with conviction

Now, as a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at ALU-Rwanda, I am committed to furthering my leadership journey and giving back to my community with even greater determination and purpose

In just three months at ALU-Rwanda, Dak founded the South Sudan Youth Leadership Scholars Network Program (SSYLNET)—a registered youth-led national nonprofit organization. SSYLNET seeks to empower youth who face socio-economic barriers through educational opportunities and echo the call of UN SDG4 to break the cycle of poverty and instability by investing in the education and leadership potential of South Sudan’s youth. His ultimate aim once he receives financial support, is to be the premier organization offering tailored support to young South Sudanese people under the bondage of a 68% illiteracy rate in South Sudan.

Through SSYLNET, Dak, along with other South Sudanese Mastercard Foundation Scholars at ALU-Rwanda support prospective applicants in applying for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, impacting the lives of over 250 youth. This transforms challenges into hope, empowering youth facing social and economic barriers to receive scholarships abroad, including at ALU, USIU-Africa, KNUST, Ashesi, and more. Once funding is secured, his ultimate aim is to become the premier organization offering tailored support to young South Sudanese people.

“Thank you, Mastercard Foundation; you are empowering young people. To the founder & CEO of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program: I have never seen you, and you don’t know me, and your initiative is supporting me and transforming my life and that of others. Thank you so much! Community giving back is my part now,” says Dak.