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Ishmael Beah
Ishmael is born in Sierra Leona in 1980. -
Period: to
A Long Way Gone
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RUF
The Revolutionary United Front (RUF) begins to attack villages in eastern Sierra Leone. -
At home in Mogbwemo
Ishmael is 12 years old when the story begins. He and his older brother Junior have a difficult homelife- their parents divorced when he was young. -
Mattru Jong
They meet up with friends in the city, Gibrilla, Kaloko, and Khalilou. The boys were sent home early from school because of a rebel attack on Mogbwemo- their home. They learn that the next attack will be on Mattru Jong. -
Heading to Mattru Jong
Ishmael, Junior, and Talloi head into the city of Mattru Jong to attend a telent show where they will perform a rap and dance. They pack their bags and head out- without saying goodbye. They stop to visit their grandparents in Kabati on their way. -
Families lost
The boys check the wharf in Mattru Jong every morning for news from their families. They wait and wait and hear nothing. -
Strive to be like the moon
Ishmael reflects- "we must strive to be like the moon". This adage served to remind people to always be on their best behavior and to be good to others. People complain when there is too much sun and it gets too hot, and also when it rains too much or when it is cold. But, no one grumbles when the moon shines. Everyone becomes happy and appreciates the moon in their own special way. A lot of happy things happen when the moon shines -
On the run
The RUF attacks Mattru Jong- sending the boys on the run. They know if they are caught they will be forced to join them. The six boys travel through the woods for days- with little to eat, sleeping in abandoned villages. -
Back to Mattru Jong
the boys head back toward the city in desperate need of food. They are captured by the RUF on the way- and once again have to escape them. -
All Alone
The boys continue on the run- then get word of a village where a relative is possibly living (Kamator). They farm at Kamator for three months. Rebels eventually come to this village, attack, and Ishmael is separated from his friends and his older brother Junior. -
In the Forest
Ishmael leaves the area after the village is attacked and ends up spending an entire month alone- wandering the forest. "If you are alive, there is hope for a better day and something good to happen"- these words drive him as he struggles to eat and survive in the forest. -
Seven Boys
Ishmael comes across six boys. They begin to travel together. His innocence has been replaced by fear- They meet the old man on their way to Yele- he gives them a map, but not his name: "My children, this country has lost its good heart" " -
The Atlantic
The boys finally make it to the Ocean, they spend time being kids- chasing and playing with one another on the beach, even playing soccer. Their shoes are stolen by a group of fishermen- they arrived at a hut on the beach all in pain and were taken in by a wonderful young man. He fed them and helped them heal. His village soon heard of the boys presence at the fishing hut and captured the boys. They were saved by the rap tape in Ishmael pocket- connecting them to innocence and childhood. -
Bad Omen
Saidu dies in the night. The boys meet someone who says that they have seen their families in a town two days walk away. The boys head that way and finally find Gasemu (a familiar face from Mogbwemo)- who leads them to the village where their families are. Just as they are arriving the village is attacked by rebels. Ishmael cannot find his family. They have to escape again- Gasemu is killed- but helps the boys to escape. -
Yele
The boys are taken into Yele- where it seems like they have finally found safety, and food. The government soldiers protect this village. The rebels begin to attack near the village- the boys are forced to fight or flee- they choose to fight this time. They are given "training" with AK47's and machete's on banana trees and are sent into battle. -
Becoming a Soldier
The boys are given a "day off" and are sent to battle the next day. They lose friends and are devastated- completely unprepared for the war. Ishmael kills a man for the first time They begin to use drugs heavily- to numb their pain. "My squad is my family, my gun is my provider, and protector, and my rule is to kill or be killed." -
UNICEF- Benin House
One day some of the boys are "chosen" to travel with people from UNICEF to a rehabilitation center by their leiutenant. UNICEF has just stepped in with the intent to rehabilitate some of these child soldiers. Ishmael spends a great deal of time at Benin House fighting withdrawal symptoms. He, and the other boys are struggling with being told what to do, and resist the rehab. -
It's not your fault!
Ishmael meets Esther- a young nurse that helps him learn to trust again- and gives him the chance to tell her his story. He is able to begin forgiving himself for some of the terrible things that he has done with her help and counseling. -
Family?
Ishmael is reunited with his uncle who lives in Freetown. He is repatriated and is allowed to live with their family. He learns to live with others again, and be "normal". -
United Nations- NYC
Ishmael is accepted to travel to New York Ciy to participate in a conference held by the UN about children at war. They meet Laura, who is very kind to them. His experiences in NYC are positive and emotional- and although they will never wipe out the horrors that he has faced- they show him that there is a world where he can be safe. -
Freetown again
Ishmael returns home and tells his family all about his experiences in NY. The rebel attack makes its way to Freetown- the sobels- they are kept in their houses, and laying low for 5 months- under attack Uncle Tommy becomes sick and dies. Ishmael decides to escape to New York- he cannot stay in Sierra Leone any longer. He has to travel to Guinea and shelters at the Sierra Leonian embassy. -
The monkey and the hunter
"A hunter goes into a bush to kill a monkey. He finds one lounging in an unconcerned manner in a tree and raises his rifle and aims at the animal. The monkey then begins to speak, telling the hunter that if he shoots him, the hunter's mother will die, and if he doesn't shoot him, his father will die. What would you do if you were the hunter? Ishmael makes it to NY and finishes high school and attends college as well. He works for the children who have been affected by war like he was.
