She Survived The Journey

In the spirit of "Live and Become", "A Town Like Alice", and "Anne Franks' Diary", Memuna Barnes relives the terrifying upheaval and daily trauma of her capture by rebel forces and the long journey till her safe return home. This is the woman's war story. The devastation of family and two nations, while two prayers gave her the will to survive and the hope for freedom. She tells of her everyday life as a child, even when displaced to a neighbouring country to live with relatives not seen for years, her culture and the pleasure, trust, joy and challenges of growing within a large African family. But the slow development of this new normality is also ripped apart by the tumultuous upheaval of the same terrorist war that sent her from her homeland.

Along with her sisters and cousins - all taken captive - Memuna walks us through this new and often terrifying reality that becomes her world. During thousands of Kilometres and many many months she must also journey through childhood (cut short too soon) becoming a teenager of strength, courage and tenacity with the determination to survive responsibilities and horrors she did not chose. She must guide herself, her younger charges, strangers that become friends and enemies, as well as the boys who carry guns and give orders, through this strange enforced life to the harrowing journey home.

This is the woman's war story. The devastation of family and two nations, while two prayers gave her the will to survive and the hope for freedom.

As this is a personal view, it is a voice that needs to be heard. Ms Barnes is one of the innocents that are the constant victims in any war.