In 1994 Clemantine Wamariya is six year olds and together with her sister flee the civil war in Rwanda. That begins a horrific period for them as they move from one refugee camp to another avoiding every known challenge you could possibly imagine. They cross through seven African countries moving to avoid criminals, rapists, soldiers in the search of safety and in search of some family member who would help them. All during this time they have no idea whether their parents who stayed behind are still alive.
After six years of living in camps not fit for animals they are granted asylum in the United States. Clemantine is taken in by well meaning families however the years in the camps of being treated as less than human, of going hungry and seeing death, could not be erased and she really struggles with how the families children live, behave and treat her.
This is essential reading if you want to understand what life is life for refugees today. Living our lives as we do today in our wealthy society will unsettle you as you read this book but you must. You’ll understand that the wars that create these situations and camps are not straight forward. You’ll understand that solutions are not easy and it will take a world initiative to change thinking, government policy and the right leadership to make the world see refugees as they deserve.
Cornerstone/£9.99/9781786090508
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