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“Sierra Leone: claiming Ishmael Beah”
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I agree with you, I have read his book and in my personal heart, I feel he is representing Sierra Leone fully and the lessons he is teaching are fully linked to Sierra Leone and its wounds and healing. I pray to God that the healing is to be for now and ever for the Siearra Leonean population.
I have read his book and I had no words but to say that it is a true heroic but painful storry of a boy growing up in such African hostility.
It’s my prayer and hope that all the African Peoples would read Beah’s storry and think about our future as brothers and sisters of African descent.
I admire that young man and I hope he continues his goal as an activist for the world peace and freedom for the children in war “Child Soldiers”.
And As far as his return in Sierra Leone is concerned. ” I still believe He needs time or It’s his decision as an African to think about it and if he finds it in his heart to give such a “sacrifice to his continent” He should return and educate his people. My only worry is his security. I don’t want him to follow Lumumba’s footsteps
Hello James,
Thank you for your comment. I’ve met Ishmael several times he is really incredible. He has no interest in politics..he’s actually a social activist working very hard with human rights watch and other orgs…to raise awarenedd about the use of children in war. I dont think that he could ever become Sierra Leone’s Lumumba (thank God). The context is completely different…the CIA is not gunning for him.
Additionally his experience and the civil war in Sierra Leone were not as a result of a lack of education. Many Sierrra Leoneans were affected by the war and the nation is in the process of reconstruction. There was a Truth and Reconcilliation Commissionset set up by the UN which was a very useful in the reconcilliation effort.
Thanks again for your comment
Dear All, i met Ishmael before i knew of his story, and i would like to tell you what i experienced from that angle. He is a wonderful person, good listener, always carries a smile, no vengance or such, very charismatic as well.
We became friends and i couldnt tell at any point of time on what he actually went through, till when we got to discussing that.
What i am trying to say is, i learnt alot of lessons from him. Before i knew of his story i liked him as a person who tackles issues very peacefully, good observer. Then after knwowing his past story apart from getting the message of how bad and devastating such situation actually is, i think he actually represents a promise of the future. And he surely plays that role by not only being a Sierra leonnean, but a young person, hence even from other sides of the world we can replace his situation to ours and learn from it.
I think he represents a lesson that we should all learn, and not individually only but as nations so we use this past to not repeat the mistakes to our future.
I just recently befriended a Sierra Leonean family, who have relocated to the Gambia after the war. Although they have shared with me stories of the war, it wasn’t until I read Ishmael’s book that it really dawned on me. I must commend this young man for his endurance and perseverance. Ishmael has potentials that are yet to be discovered. I wish him all the best in his future endeavours.
PS. Is there an email address through which I can contact him?
I don’t know my Website URL. Can I still be contacted?
Gene Glover
PS. I loved the book by Ishmael Beah and would like to help in any way in his endeavors.
I have also read “A Long Way Gone”. My question is: is it possible to hear him (Beah) speak somewhere? I know the Global Young Leaders Conference (GYLC) is taking place right now in New York, and he is one of the key speakers, but I couldn’t find a schedule from their site. Well, I don’t even know if it would be possible for me to check any of the conference’s events out… Maybe not. If anyone can point anything out to me regarding this, I would appreciate it!
The book Ishmael wrote captured me in a way that made me finish the whole book in two days! But honestly, Ishmael’s testimony changed my life. I have the greatest respect for the survivors of the war. I have the greatest respect for the people in Africa enduring in struggling places like Sudan (Darfur). I wish I could e-mail Ishmael myself. By any chance is there anyone who knows his e-mail?
I did field research in Sierra Leone in January 2002 and am now working on a doctoral thesis focusing on reintegration of former child soldiers in Sierra Leone.
After reading Ishmael’s book, I thought it would be so helpful to email him, or meet him face to face. I have questions that only people with his experience can answer.
Can anyone help me?
I just finished reading Ishmael’s book, and like everyone else, I was deeply touched. The first pages almost made me cry, but as I went on, I was able to smile as I saw glimpses of hope in his story. After reading the book, I almost felt like I knew Ishmael somehow, and I know it must have been very difficult for him to share this personal story. But I am glad that he did, and I thank God for preserving his life because he has clearly become an inspiration to many. Ishmael, if you ever get to read this - thank you for staying strong, and for sharing. You chose to make a positive impact on the world despite the negative experience you endured. God bless you, and I pray that everyone who reads your book will be motivated to take a stand to protect our children.
Ishmael’s story of his fate as a child born at the wrong time and in the wrong place, Sierra Leone during a civil war has struck me to the core. I cannot begin to fathom a life of such utter despair. I feel ashamed to have taken the safety and well being of my own sons for granted. Shame on me. I pray I will find an effective avenue to help children in need.
I just finished reading Ishmael’s book, what a story i am a poor reader but i cant believe i read this book in two days.as a Sierra-Leonean,i left before the war even though my hometown was attacked,fortunately none of my family was hurt. I’v heared a lot of stories about the war but A LONG WAY GONE was exceptional,appauling,and truly remarkable.I agree with the blogger, we need people like Ishmael in sierra-leone, he is a real hero.i im involve in charity programme that help people in need in my home town. i will love to meet him or hear him speak.can anyone help for his e-mail?
Dear All,
Thank you for all your wonderful comments…i’m going to forward this link to Ishmeal so he can see firsthand how his book has touched you all. If you check http://www.alongwaygone.com you should be able to see a list of his speaking/reading appointments. For more on Sierra Leone….i’d suggest Aminta Forna’s “Ancestor Stones”.
Thanks again for your comments.
Ishmael Beah is not only a heroic young man, but he is an extremely powerful and talented author. Bravo, Ishmael.
He needs to have a MySpace.
Ishmael is a true testament to the power of the human spirit! He has a way of telling his story(probably a trait from his ancestors) which brings the reader to the forefront of the war and illuminates exactly how severe the situation over there was/is. A true inspiration! The book leaves me longing to be a better person!
Ishmael writes this book with such raw power and grace it is amazing to think someone who has been through so much grief, can still find a way to maintain his positive spirit and good nature. I did not know what to think of this book when I heard about it and now that I’v read it I can say it is one of the most inspiring books that I have ever read. Hopefully I get to shake his hand one day.
I just read Ishmael’s book in 3 hours during a flight over from Singapore to Perth, Australia.I just could not put it down. It was really mindblowing and I could not believe that children were put through such horrors. The loss of innocence was just very hard to take in.
It does make one angry and disgusted when such civil wars occur and when the world just sits by and watches hoping that it blows over. Rwanda and Sierra Leonne are just two examples of conflicts that should have had some sort of UN intervention. Why is it that so many African countries suffer in silence when the UN were so quick to jump into Afghanistan and Iraq?
Well, I could go on till I am blue in the face.
As Bob Marley so famously said, Wake Up and Live!
Respect to you Ishmael.
I just finished reading this book for our summer-reading assignment at my highschool. I actually found it hard to keep reading, mostly because I couldn’t find the nerve to pick it up after certain points. It ended up giving me nightmares about showing up at school and being handed a gun.
Does anyone know a way to contact Ishmael Beah? I wrote him a letter, but I don’t know how to get it to him. I can’t find an email for him, and his myspace hasn’t been used since last May.
I found this book to be a very interesting and fascinating story. Very depressing, but eye opening. I know a few people from all over Africa, including Sierra Leone, Ghana, and Nigeria, and currently, a student of mine is from Sierra Leone. It’s amazing to think what happens in other parts of the world that we have no idea about. All the news we get is so sensored that we don’t know the “real” of it. I think it would be a great honor to someday sit and talk with Ishmael, not necessarily about the war, but just being in his presence and getting to know him now.
I’m reading this book,and i think it’s very interesting…I already knew sierra leone’s conditions but not so in particular…I’m from Italy and I really would like meet Ishmael…I will able to learn a lots from him.
I just read this book in 2 days and must say I am absolutely amazed at how grateful I am for Ishmael’s truthfullness. I have never read a book like this before and am so enlightened by his forgiving spirit. I learned much about Sierra Leone and the heartaches the people there have experienced. While reading this book, I thought of what I probably was doing at the same time Ishmael was going through a living hell. I am even more grateful for living in America. I wish I could sit down and talk to him face to face and see if there would ever be a way to thank him for just being him!
I’m a freshman at St.Amant High school in Louisiana, and i wanns say that this book has really changed me. When you read it, it’s like your reading a fiction book, but it’s actually real. Ishmael Beah is my hero because throughout the book, he goes through anything and everything you can think of, and still is living today. It’s a very touching book because when you read it, you relize how good we have it in America. There isn’t people running around like crazy killing everyone in their path. Ishmael Beah’s goal in life back then was just survive the next day. Hoping he could see his family again was all he wanted. Our goals are like to be on a diet when they in Africa lived through weeks without eating. Or maybe your goal is to do good in school or get a career you love, and Ishmael couldn’t even get an education with the rebels chasing him everywhere. Out of the goodness of my heart, I am saying read this book, because you won’y not like it. You’ll love it, I promise. :))
I have almost completed “a long way gone” in my third day of reading. I must say though it has pierced my heart, I must say knowing what is has presently accomplished gives me hope. I was somewhat angry and dissapointed that after years of genealogical research I joyously found an ancestry in Sierra Leone, only to research further and find out about he atrocities of the civil war. Since then, I have comitted myself to helping that country in it’s recovery one village at a time. Ishmaels story, while very painful to me at the same time has really served as a motivater to wade through the beauracracy and red taped obstacles to ensure that the work I endeavor to do is accomplished. It has been difficult getting others to choose to be involved in the work of helping Sierra Leone, however, I’m sure that if they read this book, there will be no way that they can turn away from being of assistance in some manner, regardless how large or small. God bless Ishmael Beah and the many who share his experience, wherever they may be.
I just finished reading A Long Way Gone, and I was in awe throughout the entire book. I am not an avid reader and I was grateful that this book was assigned as a class project because it has changed my perspective on life. Many people do not know what a true struggle is, and if they were to read this book, I am sure they’d think twice before complaining about anything else. I had heard of the civil war in Sierra Leone, but did not know details. Now I am taking every opportunity to learn more about it and child soldiers.
If Ishmael ever reads this, just wanted to commend him on a work well done and to wish him the best of luck in future endeavors.
Ishmael, bravo. I’m one of the fortunate ones that were born in Freetown, Sierra Leone and raised in the U.S. Therefore I know nothing except of what I read in the newspaper and online. I still have family in Sierra Leone that were there during the time of the war. However no really discuss much of their endeavor. While growing up I was aware that we had to send for our family back home and send money to the ones that weren’t fortunate to come to the states so they may survive. There was no reason or explanation given.(common in our culture). Just many unanswered questions. One of my Uncle’s came with his wife and six children through the lottery program and my other uncle remained and fleed with his family to Guinea. Personally I want to thank you for answering so many question that no one in my family wanted to discuss. I was not aware of the devistation and chaos that was going on in the country. Your story touched me deeply as you mentioned areas in Freetown that I’ve heard so many times within my family. Believe it or not my family is from Kutah Road and Kissey area and many of the areas you discussed was close. Thank you so much for giving me insight appreciation for life.I plan on visiting Sierra Leone next December for the first time since I left as a child and now after reading your book it has given me so much drive and passion to go home and do what I can to benefit our country. Again Ishmael I thank you for giving me a “will” in life.
I heard Mr. Beah speaking on C-Span. My heart was touched as I heard his heartbeat for deliverance for his fellow brothers. I would love to have him come to Cleveland, Ohio, one of the leading in the poorest cities in the cities. I believe he is being and has been an inspiration to whoever has or will listen to him speak. I look forward to reading the book.
I was deeply move when I read your story when I visited a very close friend of your who live in monteral who also share the same story as you. As a fellowing sirra leonian who also witness the war, am gald for the comment you gave on one of your interviw “there is no romance in war” that definately true. congratulation on the peace award you guys received yesterday in montreal.
I had to take a moment and say thank you to Mr. Beah for writing what I believe to be one of the greatest books that I have ever read. His writing style is unbeleivable. I literally could not put the book down and read it in a day. I am a Ugandan and my mother was a refugee of Idi Amin. Many of my family members did no make it out and when I read the book it became real in a way that is indescriable what not only my family but millions of families across Africa have experienced. Thank you for giving voice to the past, warning to the present of the dangers of war, and hope for the future of an world that is free of conflict.
One of the best books-of this kind- that I had read.
It should be read by many young people.
Ishmael congratulations!!!
I’ve just begun reading A Long Way Gone for the second time because after the first read I felt as if simply putting this book on a shelf where it would collect dust would be an atrocity. Ishmaels story has inpired me more than any story has ever inspired me in my 24 years of life. For this second read I had a vision to unite with some friends who are musicians who haven’t read the book, buy them the book, and as we read each chapter it would be amazing to attempt to translate Ishmaels journey into a musical score. This book/Ishmaels story deserves so much more that to sit on a shelf and collect dust!
I really want to contact him about this idea. If anyone knows how I could achieve this or if anyone has any comments on my idea you can email me at sfstephen@gmail.com
I have just finished reading A long Way Gone and I can not begin to describe the many emotions that this book evoked. It made me cry and want to scream at all these irresponsible leaders who continue to rob innocent children of their childhood.As a Zimbabwean mother, this book has made me appreciate everyday I am lucky to have my children as children. Surely what happened to Ishmael should never happen to any other child. The fact that even after the publication of this detailed book , its still carrying on says a lot about AFRICA as a continent and us its people. Enough is Enough, this has to stop NOW
From the moment i saw this book on the shelf,the picture on the front immediately caught my eye.This was one of the best books I’ve ever read.I read it in 2 days,ocassionally putting it down so my mind could grasp what i was reading,and a little afraid to pick it back up for fear of what was coming next.my heart ached for these people especially the children.and i mean literally ached.this was a powerful book that shows how war truly affects everyone young and old.our world leaders need to read this book and get a clue.i haven’t stopped thinking about this book yet.it truly affected me in a way i wasn’t expecting.the cover photo of the young boy grabs me everytime i see it and for a while i couldn’t stop looking at it.Mr. Beah is a truly incredible person to be able write such a book and relive the hell he went through.i feel honored to have read this book about childhood innocence lost and give Ishmael Beah a truly deserving standing ovation.you are truly blessed and will continue to be blessed forever.Excellent.Excellent.Excellent work
I just read this book I saw him on the CNN Heroes and decided to get it from B&N. This was the BEST book I have ever read aside from Things Fall apart from Chinua AChebe. This was an amazing account of what occurred and it was powerful that he survived and realized he did not want to go back after he started the rehabilitation. GREAT READ. Now this should be on summer reading list for high schoolers.
This is an amazing story. I like the others read his story in 2 days. I felt compelled and hurt for him as a mother, especially during the month he spent alone in the forest. I truly admire this young man and hope great things for his future. If he does not do one more great thing he has his place in history for his courage and his determination to live at all costs. We all could learn from this.
Although I’ve not quite finished A Long Way Gone, I can already say it’s an amazing book. When a friend lent it to me, I had never heard of the book, but was immediately interested. I’m very, very interested in activism and try to stay as informed as possible about genocide, war, and the like all over the world - but in particular, Africa.
Reading this book just makes me feel so helpless and small, but I feel so compelled to take action. If you liked this book, you should definitely see the movie “Invisible Children.” (It’s also about child soldiers.) They have a website: http://www.invisiblechildren.com that is all about spreading awareness of atrocities ocurring in Uganda. I really hope you all will look into it and I would be forever greatful if you would. Thank you so much, Saurah.
This book broke my heart and mended it within a few hours, all in one sitting. As many before me have stated, I just couldn’t put it down. As cliche as that sounds, it is truth. It is the first time I have ever experienced that with a book…..Ishamel took us on the journey with him, from innocene to corruption, to redemption and forgiveness. Eloquently delivered, honestly shared. Thank you for touching my heart in incomparable ways. If only I could get in contact with him! I joined gather.com where he has a profile, but it has been quite some time since he has signed on, hoefully it will work. If anyone has an update, don’e hesitate to share!
i am from africa too but east africa. the situation that is going on africa is unbeleivable. children in africa die in three ways hunger,disease,or war.MR.beah had survivied that and he is glad. he is not the only one that been threw that situation how many children did too but couldn’t survivied . africa need help economically and other ways too. but no one cares truthfully. MR. beah keep doing what you doing i am really proude of you.
Fellow bloggers before on this subject have said it all. His story is amazing and he makes one realize that every day is a gift and we so often take the daily blessings of life forgranted. Could I have his email or a schedule of his upcoming speaking engagements? I would travel cross-country to hear him.
This man is a fraud. He has been used by his ‘mother’ and his publishers for their own agendas. The dates in the book are wrong by as much as two years. He lied about his experience and he was in the militia for as little as two months. Its time to remove the book from the bookshelves, and for this man to have a period of solitary reflection. Sorry for the bad news.
I as yet am waiting to read this - but having a passion for progressive activism - I am sure I will read it very quickly. The snippets I have sighted have been as powerful as the old tales - one might expect from Dickens . tragic, Powerful - and (in many cases probably true - but camouflaged) .
For the work he has stepped into as an activist - he is most definitely to be congratulated .I saw a news article about a situation in Africa last November where children - like Ishmael were being terrorized to fight wars - families destroyed - and children thrown upon a treadmill - of cruelty and tragic depravity. … All over .. greeed.
A land abundant in resources - and yet a collective peoples - of absolute squalor because of a hierarchy of vultures. Ishmael - should ever you read this you are most definitely are to be admired for your efforts. ( For what its worth I hate reading but I do love a good biography - and moreso when it is a change for the positive. )
Hello Vickie,
Thank you for your comment too!
To me social activism and politics are closely linked.
Ishmael’s efforts against children being recruited in wars is not just against the “moral code” of making kids soldiers. I think indirectly he advocates for better political policies especially in these war-tone nations like his former nation of Sierra Leone and others across the globe that use children as soldiers or “shields of defense” in wars.
So, my worry for him is not that he is going to become a politician, my worry is the fact that as much as his message is acclaimed by people like you and I who want to see a world better place for generations to come, there others out there who see different. Those who would rather subject the world to the misery that we see happening in nations across the globe like making kids soldiers, dictatorship and the like. These people may not welcome his message as you and I do. And so for that He needs to be careful if he returns to his former native country of Sierra Leone.
I also still believe that him having had the opportunity like he has, he needs to return and educate those children and youth and all people that have been affected by the war and it’s aftermath, because they can easily relate to his “wounds and scars” since he went through what they all went through.
If I may use my example: I lost my entire family of 7 between the ages of 4 and 10. Not to war but to disease. I know that I have a responsibility to return to my native -Uganda and provide health-care and hope to generations of African that have been affected by the pandemics of Malaria, AIDS and the like.
Thank you once again for your comment and I enjoy being challenged to think.
It is interesting that there seem to be no voices raised on this website concerning the apparent contradictions of dates in Beah’s book. No-one wants to know. Why is this?
Peter.
Sadly, his story isn’t completely true. He has got the date of the attack on his village wrong. He claims it was in 1993 (it was in 1995) and that seriously compromises the rest of his account because he can only have been a child soldier for a couple of months rather than over two years.
See http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au and search on “Ishmael Beah”. It has also been added to his Wikipedia entry which also has a link to the news story.
The article by Shelley Gare is most comprehensive. This is not the Wikipedia link which is to a shorter story written by Gare in collaboration.
I now don’t trust EVERYTHING he has written but he has brought the ghastly situation of child soldiers to the world’s attention (if it wasn’t before) and this can only help.
I don’t understand where this hostility for Ishmael is coming from. The guy clearly said that is his own account of the war. If any one has a problem with it, go write yours and leave him alone.
It almost sound as if some people felt let down because they could not feed their addition to the suffering of other people on the news that he only spent 2 months in the Army.
As any Sierra Leonean who suffered during those times would testify, you would not want your worst enemy to get caught up in that war for even a day.
I can tell you that there is not way he could have just spent 2 months with the Army.
Ok, lets say he got his dates mixed up. So what? He was clearly a child and could have been hard to get the dates spot on.
Let the man be.
I still admire his courage for sharing his story.
Re the controversu ofthe flaws - with the dates - personally I think it is important - to bear in mind one thing - the fact that the world - is at least acknowledging his story. Please note - I do not mean go out and make up lies - far from it- but be reallistic - we have not walked in hios shoes. Dates do get mixed up - and the pressures he endured - ( bearting in mind he was a child) must genuinely havce been enormous.
Last November I read an account of some other African countries - suffering massively as result of civil war. Even worse - the recruits were - surprise , surprise - children . I do not think I have to say the fate some of their pasrents met - nor the fate of some of the female girls. In disgust - I wrote a poem - I almost posted it up here two nights ago - but then I saw you must be diplomatic and can not attack anyone- the truth is - in this instance the UN has no teeth - and the collective superpowers tend to profit from it. Despicable - but - take a pen - sit down - and work out the resources within Africa - and also what goes where. I think you are right to say - there are flaws - but first have a lok at the BIG picture - people do make mistakes - and as for the situation I will close with a quote from a great movie- “Bad things happen when good people do nothing” . To criticize his efforts - we would be endorsing such complaceny . Peter Rowe
Dear James,
I have not only read Ishmael’s book and agree with it content and mission, but I at the same time thank God for giving Africa such a hard working and persevering child.
I hope every growing child in Africa and especially Sierra Leoneans would emulate the good examples set by this son of Africa.may God bless all those who are involved with this issue either in the form of clearification, or support of any kind. Alusine
With respect to the above comment, Ishmael Beah is not a child, not a child at the age of 28. That sort of comment, and the fact that he uses it himself really gets up my nose.
Andrew: The point is he was still a child when all those very bad things happen to him.
Any way, i will just quote some one from another forum
“I believe Ishmael actually experienced all or most of the things he wrote about.
For me as a reader it is not so important to have the details perfectly accurate.
His book is not only a memoir it is also read as a novel, his account for me is not only and so much his own story, as a representation of the experience of all child soldiers. And here he did a great job. I read other books by child soldiers, and his was far most successful, not because his experience was more brutal, but because, he was best in putting it into literary words.
I have just read Olaudah Equiano’s The Narrative of the Slave, and we can draw a parallel here. Now two hundred years later, they found out he was actually not born somewhere in Nigeria, but according to some records as a slave in North Carolina, which doesn’t change the value of his book, as he was also writing to represent all slaves, and his passage to freedom (as Ishmael his own fate of escaping death or other doomed fate facing many child soldiers).”
http://forum.visitsierraleone.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=1778&PN=3
She sad it all…
I have just finished reading “a long way gone” and although everyone is leaving the same kind of comments i feel that i must join in,,
well personally i found this book to be truly insperational,, growing up in scotland with a “cushioned” lifestyle i cannot even come close as to what Ishmael must of went through. Before reading i was completely oblivious as to what was going on in sierra leone,, although i am only 17 i feel that i should of been aware of the struggles and trials that people face around the world.Ishmael is someone i can truly look up to and admire.
I am a bookseller.i have read books but A Long Way Gone stands out.Ishmeal is an incredible person.i am happy he is an African.Ishmeal if you ever get to read this,dont join politics.continue to work for humanity.my favourites wish for you is that one day you will look up with smiles with a nobel peace prize in your hands.pls dont forget your late uncles wife and kids back home.People remember the best people always make themselves.
As a producer for WPBT in Miami, I covered an art exhibit on Peace by artist Huong in Miami Beach last month. I met a young women, Serafima, who paints pictures of child soldiers as a way to bring awareness to this issue.
She cited Ishmael Beah as one of her inspiration. I read the book two weeks after and could not stop until the last page. His story put our daily life in perspective and inspires us to see beyong our own issues that seem unbearable in our society. His book was written in a simple manner that depicts the simplicity of his goal : make people understand what he has been trough. People don’t care about data, number, statistics…it is stories such as Beah’s that really move, really trigger reactions and opinions.
I applaud him for his strength and the work he has been doing despite how hard it might still be for him to dig deep inside to revive those memories.
You can watch the artist with the child soldiers paintings at
http://uvu.channel2.org/PublicSite/Video.aspx?id=1749&skin=2
Dear Ishmael,
The 5th of May, a unique concert will take place in Holland. This day, Dutch Liberation Day - a very special, full-scale staging of Roger Waters’ opera Ça Ira being performed in the largest concert hall in Holland, with all proceeds from the event going to War Child, helping to reintegrate former childsoldiers all around the world.
The idea came from my 10-year-old daughter after I told her about my dream of staging the opera. She wrote to one of the most famous Dutch TV presenters and the idea received the whole-hearted support and encouragement of a delighted Roger Waters, who declared “Ça Ira in Holland? I couldn’t be happier!”
On September 17th, 2006, Veerle started the ball rolling by sending Paul de Leeuw (the presenter) an email with the plan to stage the opera. Three days later, a call came back with the answer: “Great plan. We are going to work with it!” During Paul’s TV program Mooi! Weer de Leeuw, on May 12th 2007, the 900-page score for Ça Ira was handed over by Roger Waters himself, who was in Holland for his Arnhem Dark Side of the Moon concert.
After Roger Waters asked the presenters to tell him about the meaning of ‘ça ira’, they told him: “It will go”. Well, he wasn’t satisfied with this answer at all. “There must be ‘more’ to it than that! Fifteen years have passed and the work is done. Lessons are unlearned. The innocent are still slaughtered in the name of God and Freedom. My friends Etienne and Nadine Roda-Gil and Phillipe Constantin made their mark upon the sand. The ‘more’ there is to ‘Ça Ira’ is this. There is hope”.
Roger dedicated his opera to those who are fighting for human rights. The connection with War Child therefore is obvious, and was one of the deciding factors in the granting of this event.
The performers will include, amongst others:
· Rob Vermeulen (conductor)
· Karin ten Cate (soprano)
· André Post (tenor)
· Ernst Daniël Smid (baritone)
· The Dutch Concert choir
· The Tilburgs Begeleidingsorkest
· Children’s choir
· Melisse Venema (trumpet)
· Will-Jan Pielage (sound technician)
It would mean a lot to us if you could join us in the World Forum Theater the 5th of May! We would be honoured to hand over the cheque for War Child to you personally.
I do hope this request will come to you one way or another!
Greetings,
Joke Tuinema
Foundation Ça Ira for War Child
I too am taking in this book by this wonderful young author - What Ishmael endured is beyond comprehension, when they forced his young friends (one of the boys was seven and couldn’t even manage his rifle) and was shot on their first time to leave the village. I cannot even imagine what he must have endured. I am staggered by anyone who could think to do such horrendous things to living beings, among them women and children.
I am not finished with the book yet yet, but thanks to whoever posted the url with his speaking engagement dates.
I do think that the UN should take steps to erradicate the practice of children soldiers in the world, I wish that we could all take the steps to make that happen. Keep writing on Ishmael, cuz you rock! Laura
Dear all, dear Ishmael,
I’ve just finished reading the book. It’s painful and very sad story (very well written though). I am happy that Ishmael shared it with us. We need to talk about it. World needs to talk about it.
Cheers Ishmael
best of luck
Jana
i read the book and i cant help wondering how his friend died when they were at the house and the dogs were crying and making noises i want to know how that young boy died and they found him with tears coming out of his eyes dead also how did his uncle die and i also hope is family is alive especially his brother
And again I have reread the book( my 6th time)..I just cannot seem to put this book down. Whenever I feel lost or confused about something, I tend to think all Ishmael and the other characters in this novel, I think about all they endured to survive and then I snap back to reality realising that they had it much more difficult than I do, but yet they made it. I wish Ishmael all the best in his future endeavours..This book has really changed my life…
I just read some comments that were posted by some obvious jealous and devious persons..It is such a shame that as black people( I am black, NOT African) we can only find solace in tearing each other down, rather than building each other up.How long must we continue in this path?
So he Ishmael got his dates mixed up, so what? The fact is there was a bloody war in Sierra Leone, children were forced to fight as soldiers, many people died, women were savagely raped( now please correct me if Ishmael forgot to mention any of what I have outlined in his masterpiece). My point is he may have supposedly lied about the dates, but he NEVER lied about the facts/
My suggestion to those who are causing themselves sleepless nights, as a result of Ishmael’s contribution, is to make themselves productive and find ways in giving back to their societies the way Ishmael has. Organise some charity and donate to the many people who still suffer today as a direct result of the war. Or how about writing your own book??
It is my view that forums such as this are somewhat of a verbal sewerage pipe; the opinions are not neccesarily fully informed nor are the of any use to an assymetric conversation on the issue of child soldiers. However, I would point out that the issues raised by members of The Australian newspaper do warrant further questions. It is not that one would doubt or seriously contest Ishmael’s account it is that the published work was ‘initially’ portrayed in the marketing for the book as non-fiction. Whether you side with Ishmael’s story or not, the anomally’s in the storyline that have been exposed do seriously fracture his account. It is the continued and unwarranted inability for Ishmael and his publisher to seriously speak on these issues that have furthered this debate. Whether this was a marketing ploy we will never know. To read a book is one thing, but to believe it’s entire contents based on the account of a then young and impressionable mind is another thing entirely. It is not that one wants to discount his account it is that a serious and frank discussion of the academic merits of this first-hand account requires one to intrinsicly question the facts. It is that simple. More power to Ishmael; this person has had a difficult life and it is a wonderful thing that he can now contribute at the ‘coalface’ of the problem. Dont discount forensic journalism; it is this very tool that propels free speech.
hi
my name is Myriam and I am a Psychology student. I m very concerned by the situation of child-soldier and wish to be able to help. I want to conduct a research on the subject, in order to help the rehabilitation of these children. For this purpose I want to interview some people who have been involved during a armed conflict. This project is really closed to my heart. If anyone can help me to contact some people willing to take part into my research, it would be really helpful…. I know that I won t change the world, but I do thing that we can all help in our own way…
Hi Myriam,
You could start by looking on a very informative website http://www.child-soldier.org/home.
Interviewing child soldiers usually involves doing field work. Interviewing former child soldiers is helpful, but if they are not in their country of origin, that means they have had some external help - usually funding - to get them out of their country. That means their life is significantly different than those children who are still in their own country.
Hope this helps.
Stephanie
Myriam,
My name is Dan Moore, Jr. I am in Atlanta, GA and working on an exhibition on children affected by war and armed confilct. One of the major components of the presentation is the issue of child soldiers. We have on board, historians, sociologist as well as psychologists to extricate dara and vaildate information. Our scope is broad and touches each continent. We currently have correspondance with Kenya, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Iraq, and Colombia. We are working towards Eastern Europe, Asia and India. Please feel free to contact me, as we are in need of research and empirical studies on the subject.
Hi Stephanie,
Thanks a lot for your answer, and for giving me this link for this web site.
I do totally agree with you, and I know that conducting some interviews with some children that are out of their country would not be the same than interviewing some children that still live there. Unfortunately, I also know that I ll not get any fundings for this research, thus I m quite limited. Nevertheless, I m trying to contact some local associations in Africa, as I was thinking that I might be able to conduct some interivews via internet (with a we-cam).
Thanks again for answering to me.
Best
Myriam
Hi Dan,
Thanks a lot for your answer. I would like to be able to communicate with you. This is my email: kyaskat@yahoo.fr
Could you contact me, in order for me too get your email, and to be able to discuss about this project. Thanks
Best Myriam
Dan, I am interested in what you are doing. I did my doctoral thesis on reintegration of former child soldiers in Sierra Leone.
Stephanie
It is a great read but it is a pity that he won’t acknowledge the error in the dates. I worked at SRL from July 1992 to January 1994 and know for a fact that the rebel raid on SRL and Sieromco took place in January 1995.
My boss was on holidays in Australia in Jan 1995 and the RUF looted his home then.
MY #1 son’s 18th Birthday was on 2 July 1993 (mid term in my contract with SRL) and I flew both sons to SL at great expense ($AUD10,000) for his birthday.
Had the rebels invaded SRL and Sieromco in Jan 1993 (6 months earlier than the birthday party, according to Beah) then this would not have been possible, or advisable.