It is great to be here on Gather and I thank you all for your good wishes. I have been busy on my book tour but will make it a point to get back here as often as I can.
I have really had some spirited and amazing discussions with people during the initial part of this tour. A few things that have really struck me are the turnout at readings and all the age groups that have been reading this book. People have brought their children of all ages, school groups, adults from different works of life, some of whom lived in Sierra Leone, my country, way before I was born, and my fellow Sierra Leoneans have also attended, providing me the chance to speak some of the languages from home.
I wrote this book because I wanted everyone to read, understand and feel the humanity of my people and what happened to us, I am happy that it is happening. Also, Starbucks has done a tremendous job in bringing this book to a wider audience who now know about my country. I will continue to share this experience with you as time goes on.
Ishmael
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Comments: 57
May God's Grace continue to shine in your work.
Soni
I thank you again for sharing your story. I was able to meet you in Seattle. I thank you for your spirit and your courage. May God bless you and I pray that you always keep your eyes focused on Him.
Erica
And for those who haven't had a chance to read the book yet, take a peek at Chapter One of A Long Way Gone.
peace (i can't believe it, but am so proud and....i can't explain the joy. you're such an inspiration!)
-karla (kvictum@yahoo.com)
Here it is: A Mother's Saga: An Account of the Rebel War in Sierra Leone - Kabba Karamoh.
I'm not sure if Borders would have this particular one, but I know it's at Amazon as well. I hope it interests all of you in addition to Ishmael's book. I've been reading Ishmael's memoir, and it's quite good in the way it depicts everything and flows uniquely, for those of you who haven't decided whether or not to pick it up. At times, it's an emotional depiction.
Congratulations on your success so far, I am sure this is just the beginning.
Your book is very enlightening. In 2002 my wife and I adopted a war orphan from Sierra Leone. He has been with us now for 5 years and is 7 years old. His name was Mohamed Bangura but we lovingly refer to him as Jonathan Blade Contreras, (Jonny Blade). He is the joy of our life and a blessing to everyone he comes in contact with. He is full of life and incredibly intelligent. He has recently asked about his parents and specifically if they died in the war. My wife, Becky, and I are committed to sharing his African heritage with him when he is old enough to understand. Reading your book helps put the conflict in perspective and will help me explain what happened during the war. http://www.jonathanblade.com/
Thanks for sharing your heart and experiences,
You rock.
Jonny, KC & Becky Contreras
Thank you for writing your heartbreaking & hopeful story. I just finished reading it. You are a gifted writer & I believe that one of the reasons you survived all that you did was to tell your story. I am a great believer in the power of art & I believe that you have created something very special in your memoir. You are going to touch millions with your story; you have already helped so many people. You are such an inspiration to me. It must have been very difficult to write this and relive all of the events and emotions but you have given a great gift to humanity by telling your story. I agree with what Jon Stewart said to you. You show how the human spirit can survive all kinds of traumas and still be full of humanity, love, tenderness, and kindness.
I have been reading as much as I can about Africa since my husband & I visited Kenya in October of 1997. We were graduate students at Columbia (and had met as students at Brown) and we were only there for a short time but our expierence changed us. I published the poems that I wrote about my visit in several literary magazines and journals. I want to return on humanitarian aide campaigns (with my husband who is training to be a surgeon) but right now, I am completely overwhelmed taking care of my six year old daughter who has severe autism. I know that her disease cannot compare to the life-threatening horrors that you faced throughout your childhood but witnessing her daily struggles to do the simplest things that most children take for granted like having a short conversation with her parents or drawing a picture are so sad to watch. She is still spends a lot of time crying and she only has a few words to express herself so I feel so helpless when I don't know how to comfort her.
She used to be so frusterated( from age two-four) becuase she couldn't speak yet that she used to bite me, kick me, scratch me, pull my hair when I tried to get her to do anything new or outside of her routine. I had so many bruises and cuts and bites that one of my students asked me if I was the victim of domestic abuse. She is just an innocent child and none of this is her fault. Your rehabilitation center is like my daughter's school. They use behaviorial therapy to teach the twenty children everything they learn. It is a very slow process but it is helping her a lot. These days, her aggression is down and is getting less frequent all of the time. I hope that she can have a life where she can understand what is going on around her and that she can learn to communicate and be happy. I am trying to give her the best life possible.
Your story gave me comfort and hope. I admire your perseverence and your strength. And the way you were able to protect and preserve the best of yourself. I would say that you definitely have "become like the moon."
You are a beautiful person and I wish you a life of peace and fulfillment. You are a wonderful storyteller. You should become a teacher. You are very wise and I am sure that you will change the lives of everyone you meet and everyone who reads your book.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Franklin
Just finished reading your book. It's an amazing story and has made me appreciate my predictable and safe life. It quite shocking how suddenly a life can be turned upside down from happiness and joy to brutality and survival. I'm sure the world willl hear a lot more from you. Good Luck.
Ian.
I am a geography teacher in Seattle, WA, and many of my students are from countries in Africa to include Gambia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia. I was compelled to read your book and gain a global perspective of what many children must endure to reach adulthood. I thank you for your courage, honesty, sincerity. and the brutal truth of your most painful story. I pray that your healing will continue throughout the rest of your beautiful life. Every time I look at the moon I think of you and your strong heart in sharing the images. God bless you, Ishmael. I have highly encouraged my entire family, my colleagues, and my students alike to read your story.
Sincerely,
Jon M. Rogers, M.Ed.
-Chris Giamporcaro.
I can not begin to tell you how much your book moved me. I was so touched my your words and the description of what life was like for you back home. As I read your book and could envision everything you describe. I admire your courage and your candidance to an remarkable story. God has big plans for you Ishmael - BELIEVE THAT! Your story made me appreciate my life more. I would love to hear from you. Thank you Thank you Thank you!
Claudette
I just attended your speaking in Nanaimo, I really wanted to take a minute to talk to you, but it was very busy. I really wanted to thank you for coming out and speaking, I was very moved and inspired by you. I am part of the Canadian Students for Darfur, and am questioned and criticized all the time about what I am doing, and as you said, many people do think that it is a way of life.
I thank you so much for bringing forward the fact that it is not how you grow up and what you are used to. Living in those conditions is not as "normal" as everyone sees it. Many people do have their preconceptions about africa and conflicts there, I am so glad there are people like you to educate them. As a Canadian, I am criticized by others, even by myself about the realities in Africa, how could I know what it's like and what to fight for if I have never been?
Listening to you speak reinforces the fact that what we are doing is making a difference. I just managed to get a copy of your book (it sold out before the event), and I cannot wait to finish it.
I am telling my friends in Toronto about your speaking on the 18th, and if you are ever interested, I used to work at the University of Toronto, and can book a time at thier Isabel Bader Theatre for you. I know so many people who would really like to hear you speak.
Thank you,
Victoria
savenow.vic@gmail.com
I bought your book at Starbucks on Saturday because I needed something to read while I was waiting for my car to be fixed. I couldn't put it down - I finished it that night. I couldn't stop thinking about it so I got on the internet and found your page - it looks like I just missed your visits here in Cleveland:( Anyway, your book is amazing and I am so happy that I stumbled upon it. I am hoping to organize something at my church to bring you back over here to talk again (I'll try to make it during the summer:).
There were a few times in your story when you were wondering why you kept surviving... we all know now.
Thank you.
I just heard you speak at McGill University. Unfortunately I did not get to speak to you because, believe it or not, I have an exam tmr morning and sadly had to get back to studying. I just felt compelled to let you know that you really truly are a wonderful person. I sensed your passion all the way up leacock 132! I admire your strength Ishmael, and you have inspired me to keep a light heart no matter what happens. Seeing you making a difference in this world truly inspires - perhaps I'll get to see you again and thank you person!
-jOY!
KEEP SMILING AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE Ishmael!
I am not sure if you remember me but I went to UNIS with you as well. I just finished reading your book and I want to congratulate on this amazing achievement. This book is an incredible testament to your strength and resilience. I cannot imagine how surreal an expereince it must have been coming to UNIS surrounded by the triviliaties of high school life in NYC. I want to thank you for making the issues and experiences faced by child soldiers so accessible to the gernal public in such a poignant and sincere manner. Additionally, your expereince and insight is critically important to the humanitarian aid community as we work to address the escalating use of child soldiers in areas on conflict around the world. Thank you for your bravery in sharing your story with us.
I had the good luck of bumping into your book at starbucks in Denver, and I just didn't want it to end, I really loved and lived through it! You are such a great writer! I have two sons 12 and 13 and one daughter 8. Very similar. I really have to thank you for having the courage to write about your life, even things that you didn't want to remember at first, but you know, you are helping people all over the world by sharing your experiences. I have had the opportunity to be in Africa twice, but not in Sierra Leone, unfortunately. I would really love to hear you speak and to meet you in person, I am from Guadalajara, Mexico, and it would be great to have you here. Hope you can find some time, and we will take good care of you here! I will contact the person who represents your talks and maybe we will have you here soon, people in my country need to hear about you, do you have your book translated in spanish? Congratulations and hoping to meeting you soon! it has been great knowing you from your book, and hope you write many many more. Ale.
to having such a realistic view of life, and actually working to change the effects that war can have on children.Aside from all that, you seem like the type of person who is nice to just talk to, we run very short on people who are young and still able to carry on a conversation here (in oklahoma). Your book really encouraged me
to think that I can improve myself. I lost almost the same years of my childhood,
not in nearly as tragic of a way, i think you could be encouraging for children who have been in gangs, rehabilitating children in jails, or even children of abusive or addicted parents, children and young adults need to know that someone believes in them, no matter what,if they want to do better, the opportunity is ther for them.
Thank you very much for writing your story and publishing it.
I want to tell you it meant a lot to me, even though I have never been in a war torn country.
I was raised by a violent man, my father, who killed both my sisters. Even though I lived in cities, I found comfort, instruction and support in nature.
Your book spoke deeply to me, in ways I cannot articulate.
Thank you for having the courage to present your life to the world. I benefited from reading it.
With utmost respect,
Leslie Stewart
I just saw the interview you did with Allen Greg on TVO, and I have to say
I'm very impressed with what you've accomplished in your life especially after
a horrific "childhood" that most of us could not begin to imagine.
You are an inspiration and have caused me to rethink about some truly
petty issues in my own life. Heck every "problem" I've ever had now looks
petty and insignificant compared to what I've learned about you just from
that 30 minute interview. I'm looking forward to reading your book.
Mike
How de body! I really enjoyed your book. Me and you have something in common, my family too is from Sierra Leone; my parents. They grew up in Freetown... the city where you lived before the left the country. Your book showed me another side of the war that I never saw but could only imagine. I saw terrible movies and still remember some of the things I heard that was going on in Sierra Leone (I was 9 when the war reached Sierra Leone so I wasn't allowed to watch the movies-but I heard enough and my imagination supplied me with all I needed). lots of my family members homes were destroyed! Like you, my aunt and her family were able to go to Guinea. My mother grew up near Kissy Road and my dad on Albert Street. I recently went to Freetown during Christmas two years ago, and I saw that the streets were overcrowded with people. My cousins told me that everybody migrated to Freetown from 'upline' because of the war, and just never left. Have you gone back since you have been here?
Its amazing how my blood is from Sierra Leone but because I was born here in America, I will never be accepted in the Sierra Leonian community, no matter how great my krio may be. It saddens me, but it doesnt discourage me in making friends and continuing to travel back and forth.
Once again, I REALLY loved the book and I hope that you continue writing!!
Sincerely,
Doreen
I thorougouhly enjoyed reading your book. My best friend is Nigerian, and I traveled to Africa in 2004 and am preparing to do so for his wedding this summer. So I am somewhat familiar with his culture and, from your book, can see some common values. Through his eyes and yours, I have come to appreciate the sense of community, the love and respect shown to family and friends and the intensity of relationships. I am sorry that things happy to disrupt these wonderful things from time to time. I hope that peace and justice will soon return to Sierra Leone. Will you be speaking in the St Louis, Missouri area on your tour? I would like to be there.
Sincerely,
Mike W.
I read your book this weekend and you have so moved me. You asked over and over in your story why you were still alive. Your book is the answer - at least part of it. You are doing something so important by sharing your story. Thank you for your inspiration. I hope to meet you someday. Keep touring if you can! Warmly, Vaughan M.
I have just seen an article about your book in metro life, the free paper that I pick up the bus on the way to work each day... no doubt that it will be very moving and I will be going out to buy it.
I was an officer in the Royal fleet Auxiliary in 2000 (I was 24)and I was serving on a ship moored alongside the harbour at Freetown, along with the British Army and the Gurkhas. The ship was a major part of the compound serving as Accomadation for troops, a hospital and an equipment store. I was the only RFA woman lucky enough to go out there and see what was really happening... we worked closely with UNISEF and UNAMSIL. You will understand when I say, Too much too late really. I can honestly say that the experience out there changed my life and me with it, it will stay with me forever, the people are amazing. The trips after that.. going around in circles in the Gulf just seemed pretty insignificant really, my outlook on life changed and my family meant more and I left the sea... I remember going up country and passing the orphanages on the outskirts of Freetown, rehabilitation homes for the child soldiers like yourself who only know how to live one way... who will never get over their traumatic childhoods.
Bless you Ishmael For bringing a little known about war, in a little known country to the British public, because although British forces were sent eventually, it wasn't really publicised and the general public were unaware. Thankyou for sharing your story and helping to recognise the other forgotten child soldiers. You are so right about about the film Blood diamond... I was very disappointed, although it brings Sierra Leone to light the story doesn't doesn't doesn't cut it by any far stretch of the imagination! Best of luck to you. Sarah.
Good luck to your work. ( One people one country).
Good luck and sucess for you.This job gonna make world better...we need that.
congratulations again.
I read your book yesterday in one sitting...I couldn't put it down untill it was finished. I really didn't sleep last night. Everytime I closed my eyes I saw the pictures in my head that you had described and I cried. For you and for everyone who went through the war. War is an ugly thing...it is inhuman. My father was in vietnam. The people he was fighting used child soldiers. They would have little children walk up to them and then through grenades at them. My mother says that my dad still has nightmares about this. For a long time we couldn't run up to him or suprise him because he might have a flashback... Thank you for writting. Thank you for sharing with the world this nightmare you lived through. I think it is something the world needs to read.
I want to read more and know the continuation of your book, "A Long Way Gone." I hope there's another one coming out soon. I want to know how's your migraine now? May I also be informed what's going on now at Sierra Leone?
My daughter, Dianne, same age of yours, and I love to read your book. It inspires us.
God loves you. After all those trials that came your way, He gave you Ms. Laura Simms to replace everything that were stolen by the rebels from you. Always praise and thank God Ishmael for what you are now.
I am wishing you all the best.
Chat (Fairview, Quezon City Philippines)
I cannot forget what I read. It touched me in a way I did not think possible.
I posted a review on your book here on gather.
I would love to hear more on your story.
Do you have any plans for any future books?
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977117483
From the bottom of my heart I truly appreciate you sharing your memories and giving the world the opportunity to understand and see Sierra Leone in an honest way. The book captivated me and I could not put it down. Even when I came to the last page I wanted to start reading it all over again. I wanted to know more...
I still cannot stop thinking about what it is I had read, what I had come to understand and the emotions that overwhelmed me. I am deeply disturbed by the violence and the unfairness of it all, but I am also filled with hope knowing that there are people helping and caring, that you survived and that you have the courage and determination to open up the eyes of many people around the world.
I truly admire the boy you were and the man you have become.
Sincerely.
I wish the best for you...
and thanks for write this story, because all the world can know this problem and try to better it, sincerely I didnt know about it, but a magazine from Brasil talked about the book and I bought, I loved so much! It's interesting because all the people can know better about this problem....