The Bite of the Mango ~ Mariatu Kamara with Susan McClelland (69 of 2024)

The bite of the Mango is a very touching refugee real life story of and by Mariatu Kamara, recipient of Voices of Courage award, who had spoken for Women's Refugee commission; she had no hands. Born in Sierra Leone at the age of 12 rebels her age set houses on fire, murdered people, and finally cut her hands - so she would not vote! They spoke the same language, and could have been friends, but inspite of repeated request they did not refrain from chopping off her arms. After walking all through the night, she came across a man who was willing to help her, and feed her a mango, but she did not want to be fed by him, she managed to take a few bites of the fruit by cradling it in her injured arms.

She then walked all night reached a hospital,  got treatment,  resorted to begging,  got pregnant which media propagated to be part of riot.  She gave birth to a child who died. Liked begging,  took part in play,  got sponsors from west. Had financial support from Canada but was not sure if she would be able to go, so first went to London did not like there,  but learned alphabets and numbers. For migration had to invent DOB, Birth Certificate,  Passport.  In Canada she got to go to school and college,  get a degree, write her book and be a voice for her country and people. 

Got a chance to speak to the president of Sierra Leone. Seeing the plight of her people back home, she realized how the people in power were looting all the grands and supports received from other countries,  but letting the refugees live hand to mouth with kacha houses.