Ishmael Beah

Dear Ishmael,
I am a 2005 graduate from Oberlin College. I regret not ever knowing you during our time at Oberlin, but happy for this opportunity to contact you about your accomplishments with your book.
I recently finished your book and it was amazing. You have the ability to paint a picture of your experiences through your words. I am proud of you; for your drive to keep on going when there seemed to be nothing left to live for. I admire your courage to speak up for the thousands of other children soldiers and to educate the public about this tragic event.
I am a special education teacher for middle school students who have an emotional or behavior disability. Many of my students have been through traumatizing events that started at a young age. I was touch when reading the section from your book about Esther the nurse. I kind of saw myself in her, because it is my job to help provide my students with opportunities to help better themselves and let them see that they can make it, no matter how difficult their life may seem.
Teaching is a profession that allows me to educate the future of this nation and possibly in other places throughout the world. It is my goal to learn about global issues and then educate my students about them. I am trying to do this by traveling abroad (I taught in New Zealand), to continue to read books like yours, or learn about issues in Africa from my boyfriend's family who are from Malawi.
As my eyes are being opened to such global issues and learning ways to help, I want to help open my students eyes too. I plan to create lesson plans that address topics talked about in your book. I am excited to see that you have an audio version of your book (this will be helpful for my students). I would love to work out a way for you to come talk to my school about your life and your drive to survive. I know that there may be some sort of guidelines to follow in order for this to happen. If you could please inform me of any steps I need to take, please let me know.
Ishmael, continue to do great things!
Best wishes,
Karen

Hey, Ishmael

I am Vincent from Taiwan , well , maybe you are not familiar with my place , Taiwan locates in Asia , next to China.

I read your book , just want to tell you something eagerly ,
I am four years younger than you , you experience is really touching for me , I like rock n' roll , I know the feeling of treasuring a beloved tape in pocket , every single episode in your book is quite profound to me.

I want to convey my blessing to you and your families , wherever they are , they are proud of you , I'm sure with that.

Take care , good luck!

hye ishmael,
i'm rus from malaysia..
i've read your book and it reminds me to the "Blood Dimond" film. the part where they used children as soldiers.
i just have 1 question regarding to your book, after you reach the ambassy, how do you happened to go to new york?
i really think that everyone in this world should read your book.

Dear Ishmael,

My name is John Mark Jones and I worked for Sierra Rutile up until the mine was overrun by rebels on 19 Jan 1995. I know Mogwemo and lived in Mobimbi and South Spur when I came to Sierra Leone from 1985 to 1995. My office in Bethlehem, PA helped the Kasila Lion Club form and we spent many many months at the plant and in Freetown. I still have freinds there you might know like Sahr Wonday and Alex Kamara. I would enjoy hearing from and in fact I again worked for SRL as a consultant to restart the mine in 2005 and 2006. You can contact me at my e-mail: grayint@aol.com, My office Phone 484-285-0240 or home phone:610-767-4155. I was happy and sad to read your book. I wish we could go back to the good old days but I am sure the peace will now last forever in Siraa Leone.
J. Mark Jones

Dear Ishmael,
I am a freshman at Kennebunk Highschool in Kennebunk Maine. We recently chose your book for a free choice novel, and we thought it was absolutely fantastic. We have to teach A Long Way Gone in a lesson to our peers as part of an assingment, and i was wondering if i could ask you a few questions that we could use as part of the lesson.

1. what was the most difficult part about writing the book?

2. Do you think that the other countries of the world coukd do more for Africa?

3. what was life like for you adjusting to life in New York?

4. When is your next speaking thing in our area?

5. Did you ever reconnect with people from your past?


Thank you so much! if it wouldn't be to much trouble, my email is will_traveler@yahoo.com. Please respond to there.

Sincerely,
Will C.

Hi Ishmael! My name´s Alexandre, I´m from Brazil and I´d barely read your book. It´s fantastic! You life story must be told to all those who keep doing war all over the world. You´ve done the best to tell us all things you´ve passed. It touched me so much. I´d like to be in touch with you, that´s the reason I´m sending you this message.
I hope you can answer me.
My email adress is alexandremarcusso@hotmail.com
Sorry about my english writing. Here in Brazil, we don´t have good english teaching at school.
See ya!
Alexandre.

Ishmael,
My email is spartankid4@gmail.com and if you got my message and you can't reply you can just send your response there

- Luke Babcock

Hey ishmael
My name is Philip Hamner.
I'm a 9th grader at Piedmont High School, my class is doing a report on controversial issues. (one examples is legalizing marajawana) I read your book (I loved it by the way) to give me a different perspective on the child soldier phenomenon. Part of our assignment is to get an interview with an expert on our subject to get some perspective. If you sent me an email with your phone # and a time, I would be happy to interview you. Or, if you would prefer, you can send me an email asking me to email my questions to you. (It is preferable for me to interview you by phone, because I will be able to record the way you emphasize a point, giving the interview a less two demensional aspect)
My email is philiphamner@gmail.com
Thank you.
P.S., this assignment is due tuesday, may 13, so I need a prompt reply

Ishmael,
My name is Luke Babcock . I am doing a biography project in school and I chose do do my project on you. I am useing your book as my reference. I thought that it would be really cool to get a response from you to present to my sixth grade class. I had a few questions. First, who or what was your source of strength as you healed from the drama you lived through? Also, since you left Sierra Leone, have you revisited the country? I would really appreciate it if you got back to me.

Thank You,
Luke Babcock

Hi Ishmael,
My name is Yenge. My name was given to me by the children at the jedi in Mattru Jong when we would go market, or to the ferry to spearfish or swim. Most commonly they called "pumoi,pumoi,pumoi.pumoi..." :), but eventually started calling me Yenge. We lived there from 1988 to 1994. I was a nurse at the haliwebu, and my husband taught at Centennial. Do you remember us?