Ishmael Beah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ishmael Beah
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Beah in Cologne, Germany on 28 June 2016
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| Born | Ishmael Beah 23 November 1980 Mogbwemo, Bonthe District, Sierra Leone |
| Occupation | author, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Children Affected by War, human rights activist, former child soldier |
| Nationality | Sierra Leonean |
| Notable works | A Long Way Gone Little Family Radiance of Tomorrow |
| Relatives | Junior Beah Ibrahim Beah (siblings) Priscillia Kounkou Hoveyda (wife) |
Ishmael Beah (born November 23, 1980) is an author and human rights activist from Sierra Leone. He became well-known for his powerful memoir, A Long Way Gone. This book shares his experiences as a child soldier during the Sierra Leone Civil War. He has also written the novels Radiance of Tomorrow and Little Family.
Contents
Ishmael Beah's Early Life
The Sierra Leone Civil War began in 1991. When rebels attacked Ishmael Beah's hometown of Mogbwemo, he had to run away. He got separated from his family. For months, he wandered with other boys, trying to survive.
Becoming a Child Soldier
At just 13 years old, Ishmael was forced to become a child soldier. He fought in the government army against the rebels. He says he was a soldier for almost three years. It was a very difficult and dangerous time for him.
Rescue and Recovery
In 1996, UNICEF helped rescue Ishmael. He found it very hard to adjust to a normal life after being a soldier. He and other former child soldiers often fought with each other.
A kind volunteer named Nurse Esther helped him a lot. She noticed his love for rap music and reggae. She gave him a Walkman and a Run DMC cassette. Music helped him remember his life before the war. Slowly, she helped him understand that what happened was "not your fault."
Life in New York City
In 1997, violence in Freetown made him leave Sierra Leone again. With help from UNICEF, he moved to New York City. There, he lived with Laura Simms, who became his foster mother.
Ishmael attended the United Nations International School in New York. After high school, he went to Oberlin College. He graduated in 2004 with a degree in political science.
Returning Home
In 2009, Ishmael Beah traveled back to Sierra Leone. He described this visit as a mix of happy and sad feelings. In 2013, he spoke at the My World Conference in Calgary.
Ishmael Beah married Priscillia Kounkou Hoveyda in 2013. She is from France and Congo. They have three children and live in different places around the world.
Books and Recognition
Ishmael Beah is a talented writer. His books have received many awards and good reviews.
A Long Way Gone
His memoir, A Long Way Gone, was nominated for a Quill Award in 2007. Time magazine called it one of the best nonfiction books of 2007. They praised how it showed readers the life of a child soldier. The book was also listed among Amazon's "100 books to read in a lifetime."
Radiance of Tomorrow
In 2014, Beah published his novel Radiance of Tomorrow. This book tells the story of Benjamin and Bockarie. They are two friends who return to their hometown, Imperi, after the civil war. The village is destroyed, and bones cover the ground. The book explores how a community tries to rebuild after war. It received positive reviews from major newspapers like New York Times Book Review and The Washington Post.
Little Family
His third book, Little Family, came out in April 2020. This novel is about five young people who have lost their homes. They create a new family together, living on the edges of society. It is described as a "deeply affecting novel."
See also
In Spanish: Ishmael Beah para niños
- Children of War (2009) documentary by Bryan Single
- P. W. Singer investigator and author of Children at War (2005)
