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On March 25th, 2009 Souhegan High School hosted former child soldier, New York Times bestselling and award winning author and current UNICEF Ambassador Mr. Ishmael Beah along with Mr. Alusize Kamara. Together, these men presented their shared story of redemption and hope while exploring the topic of war, youth and recovery - from the point view of the child soldier and adults like Mr. Kamara, who risked their lives helping them recover.
The event was preceded by the students reading Mr. Beah's book "A Long Way Gone" and learning about Sierra Leone. The display case in the main hall was filled with photos, fabric and information artfully arranged. Before the formal presentation, the 2 men spent time with students in small groups, where students could interact and ask questions.
About Ishmael Beah and Alusine Kamara
Ishmael Beah was born in Sierra Leone on November 23, 1980. When he was eleven years old, Ishmael's life, along with the lives of millions of other Sierra Leoneans, was derailed by the outbreak of a brutal civil war. After his parents and two brothers were killed, Ishmael was recruited to fight as a child soldier at the age of thirteen. He fought for over two years before he was removed from the army by UNICEF and placed in a rehabilitation home in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone.
The Director of this home was Mr. Alusine Kamara. With the help of Mr. Kamara and other trusted adults, Mr. Beah struggled to regain his humanity and to reenter the world of civilians, who viewed him with fear and suspicion.
Thanks You's and the Press
This event is free and open to the public, however donations were collected at the door to support a partnership effort between Schools for Salone / Books For Africa. Both organizations are accepting funds to send a container with 22,000 books to rural schools in Sierra Leone, including the Junctionla School that Ishmael built near his hometown of Mogbwemo with proceeds from his book.
(Click here to learn more about the Schools for Salone / Books For Africa joint project)
Thank you to Marjorie Hobbs (mhobbs@sprise.com) for all her help.
Thank you to Jeff Hall for sharing some of his photos, which can also be seen at http://www.parkerhall.com/IshmaelBeah/ .
Several articles have been written about the event, two by Souhegan junior Kristin Leffler, printed in the Nashua Telegraph - Neighbors Section, and one by Daymond Steer, with a photo by Bob Hammerstrom, printed in the Milford Cabinet Press. Follow the links below to read more.
Former child soldier to give talk at Souhegan High, by Kristin Leffler.
(Click here to read the original 1st article by Kristin Leffler on line at the Nashua Telegraph)
Author Tells Souhegan students how
he overcame days as child soldier, by Kristin Leffler.
(Click here to read the original 2nd article by Kristin Leffler on line at the Nashua Telegraph)
Former child soldier shares story at Souhegan High, by Daymond Steer, with a photo by Bob Hammerstrom.
(Click here to read original the article by Daymon Steeron line at the Cabinet PRess)
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