From There to Here: Sixteen Tales of Immigration to Britain
Various (16) authors
In February 2007, Penguin publishers asked people from any background to send their true personal accounts of immigration to Britain.
Six judges - including Shami Chakrabarti of Liberty and the novelist Kate Mosse - selected the best, most illuminating and most powerful entries, which were published in 'From There to Here'.
One of those voices is Jade Amoli-Jackson, a volunteer at the Refugee Council, whose moving account of her journey will stay with you for a long time.
Publisher: Penguin (2007)
Country: Various
Critical acclaim
"Jade Amoli-Jackson's 'My Painful Journey'...packs a potent punch...Ina sense, her story is about the redemptive qualities of writing" - Time Out London's Book of the week
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Alek: Sudanese Refugee to International Supermodel
Alek Wek
The celebrity autobiography of one of the world’s leading supermodels. Wek was born in war-torn Sudan and witnessed violence from a young age. The book charts her journey from Sudan to London, where she was spotted by a modelling agent at a local market and whisked off to the US to begin a highly successful fashion career. Wek is a top model, astute businesswoman and refugee activist: her story is a truly inspirational read.
Publisher: Virago Press Ltd (2007)
Country: Sudan
Go to Waterstones to buy the book online
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier
Ishmael Beah
An autobiographical account of life as a child soldier in war-torn Sierra Leone. Beah documents how he fled his community after seeing his family massacred and his village razed. At thirteen years old he was coerced into joining the government army. Army leaders forcibly gave the young soldiers cocaine and cannabis, indoctrinated them with ideas of revenge, and then forced them to commit atrocious crimes. Now 25, Beah lives in New York. A true story of redemption and hope.
Publisher: Fourth Estate Ltd (2008)
Country: Sierra Leone
Critical acclaim for 'A Long Way Gone'
“An astonishing confession” – The Observer
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Child Soldier
China Keitetsi
The powerful true story of Keitetsi, a child soldier who joined the Ugandan National Resistance Army at just eight years old. Her story details the abuse she suffered at the hands of her officers and how she finally escaped to Europe to start a new life. Now 27, she lives in Denmark and is an international campaigner on child soldiers.
Publisher: Souvenir Press Ltd (2004)
Country: Uganda
Critical acclaim for 'Child Soldier'
“A haunting memoir” – Daily Telegraph
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Slave
Mende Nazer and Damien Lewis
The memoir of a girl kidnapped at the age of 12 and sold into slavery. Transferred to London to serve a member of the Sudanese diplomacy, Nazar managed to escape, and sought asylum in Britain. The book compares her peaceful childhood in the Nuba mountains with the seven brutal years she spent in slavery.
Publisher: Public Affairs (2004)
Countries: Sudan and Britain
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Achieving Against the Odds
Helene Ramazani
Helene escaped from Congo where she was in danger of her life, leaving behind her three children. She tells how she built a life for herself in England, learnt English and found work. She had two more children who brought her great joy and finally succeeded in bringing her three children from Congo to join her.
To order a copy, email ourlivespress@yahoo.co.uk
Never Give Up
Kristy Krasniqi
When Kristy refused to marry the man chosen by her parents, she was 'sold' by her father and trafficked from Albania to Italy, France, Belgium and England. A friend helped her to escape from the violent men she was working for. Thank to her lawyer, she won her case to remain in Britain and is now planning for the future for herself and her daughter.
To order a copy, email ourlivespress@yahoo.co.uk
From Sound to Silence
Rashida Abedi
Rashida, who became deaf as a result of meningitis, came to Britain in search of a cure, unfortunately without success.
She won the battle against deportation and went on to learn to speak English fluently and to lead an independent life.
To order a copy, email ourlivespress@yahoo.co.uk
So Many Things I Could Have Written
Asha Mohamed
Asha, a widow with two children, describes with humour how she came from Somalia as a refugee with no English at all and how she faced the challenge of learning a new language and adapting to a new culture.
Asha grew up in Somalia, learning survival skills in a difficult environment. Though she had no formal education she supported herself and her family through running a trading business, with camels and trucks crossing deserts.
To order a copy, email ourlivespress@yahoo.co.uk
Standing on My Own Two Feet
Faizia Zaman
Faizia, who came to England from Bangladesh as a young bride, was devastated when her husband died leaving her with five young children. She gained confidence through attending English classes and was able to overcome problems of money, housing and her children's education.
To order a copy, email ourlivespress@yahoo.co.uk
Looking Forward
Inma Suarez
Inma came to England from the Canary Islands as an au pair to learn English. She met her husband, a refugee from Laos, in English classes and then shortly after the birth of her daughter became seriously ill with leukemia. She describes how she battled against illness, trained in office skills and worked as a postwoman.
To order a copy, email ourlivespress@yahoo.co.uk
From East to West
Linh Hoa
Linh left Hanoi as a student. She describes her life in Vietnam how she escaped by boat and eventually arrived in England where she married, had children and trained as a hairdresser.
To order a copy, email ourlivespress@yahoo.co.uk
