National Network for Equitable Library Service

War, genocide, rape, looting, violence – the makings of nightmares is the daily reality for millions in contemporary Africa. To survive often means abandoning everything in a quick escape. If it were you, what would you do to survive? Could you flee? Could you leave behind belongings, memories, valuables, children, mothers, fathers? In 2012, more than a thousand refugees to Manitoba, most from Africa, did just that. They are the lucky ones. In this compelling collection, African refugees tell us, in their own words, how their lives were ripped apart and what they had to do to build new ones. They relate their stories with calm, matter-of-fact dignity that underplays the horrific challenges they have faced. In the pages of this book, we meet a wide assortment of men and women ranging in age from four to 73, representing a variety of African countries and backgrounds. Their often untold stories span from experiences in their African birth countries through to their new homes in Manitoba. The Lucky Ones tells the story of the teenager who was kidnapped and then chained at an outdoor garage for 18 months. The woman who survived an encounter with a gun-toting rebel by knowing 30 generations of her family history. The young teen – all alone – who travelled across the continent from Burundi to South Africa in search of a home. These accounts, as compiled by Anne Mahon, tell us much about the strength of the human spirit. These refugees show an openness to change and an unwavering gratitude that is an inspiring lesson for Canadians fortunate enough to already live here.