Nonostante la vita di Nyamayaro sia una di quelle che lasciano il segno nella vita di molte persone e una di quelle che ha rischiato di finire prima ancora di poter sviluppare il suo potenziale a causa di una terribile siccità, non è stato il racconto in sé di tutte le difficoltà per riuscire a coronare il suo sogno di lavorare per l’ONU ad avermi colpita. Piuttosto, sono rimasta impressionata dal racconto della sua vita in ottica del concetto di ubuntu.

La parola ubuntu viene dalla lingua bantu e significa umanità, ma fa riferimento a un concetto filosofico più articolato che indica più del semplice insieme degli esseri umani. Infatti, ubuntu viene tradotto anche come Io sono perché noi siamo e vuole significare che tra tutte le persone esiste un legame di condivisione che fa sì che la propria umanità individuale si formi in relazione a quella altrui: è un concetto presente in vari Paesi dell’Africa Sub-Sahariana, che lo hanno declinato in maniere anche molto diverse tra di loro.

Nyamayaro racconta la sua storia come di una persona che è riuscita a realizzare il suo sogno grazie alla sua comunità, che l’ha supportata, e così ha potuto lavorare per aumentare il benessere della sua comunità (che grazie al suo lavoro è diventata praticamente il mondo intero). Quindi alla fine tuttз hanno beneficiato del fatto che una singola persona abbia realizzato la sua ambizione, in pieno accordo con il concetto di ubuntu che Nyamayaro ha fatto suo.

È stata una lettura interessante per me che vivo in un Paese talmente accartocciato su se stesso da pensare costantemente alle proprie piccole beghe interne e da aver perso da tempo l’aspirazione a un futuro collettivamente migliore non solo per sé stesso, ma per tutti i popoli del mondo. Non è per niente un bello spettacolo vedere persone perse nella contemplazione del proprio buco del culo, intente a fare il tifo per la Russia o per l’Ucraina, dimenticandosi della gente – gente come loro, come noi tuttз – inerme davanti alla guerra, oppure a ignorare la crisi alimentare in Yemen, che va avanti dal 2016. Dal 2016. Grazie a un’altra guerra, tra l’altro.

È bello leggere che ci sono ancora persone che non si sono dimenticate della solidarietà, che ancora ci provano a rendere questo mondo infame un posto migliore. ( )

Elizabeth Nyamayaro’s memoir of growing up in a small village in Zimbabwe and experiencing starvation from drought. When she is helped by a United Nations humanitarian worker, she is inspired to follow in her footsteps. Nyamayaro lives in poverty with her grandmother, but, with the help of an uncle, and through hard work to support herself, is able to gain an education. She eventually works for the UN and World Health Organization. She travels back to her home country of Zimbabwe and to other African countries, assisting with HIV/AIDS and River Blindness education and treatment.

This is an uplifting story about a woman who overcame many hardships to achieve her dream of working for the United Nations. Her book is founded on the concept of ubuntu, an ancient African philosophy that recognizes the connectedness of humankind. One of the common themes running through her story is the need to develop a sense of community.

She has formed an organization that advocates gender equality, an inclusive movement that includes men and boys, HeForShe. She truly believes that transformative change is possible through working together and is passionate in her support of this belief. She is working to end child marriage and domestic abuse.

I think the book could have been organized in a way that flowed better, but overall, it is a wonderful example of a woman overcoming many obstacles to make a difference in the world.

“What we share is more powerful than what divides us.” ( )

The author’s life is a beautiful example of how a small act of kindness can change the world. When she was 8, she almost starved to death in her village in Zimbabwe when a United Nations worker (the woman in the blue dress) gave her a bowl of porridge. She swore then she would grow up to work for the UN. There and in her subsequent employment she has absolutely changed the world implementing programs to improve access to healthcare to saving Women from domestic violence from Finland to Malawi to the US. The author reads her own memoir in this audiobook about her life in unbelievable poverty, becoming a janitor in London in order to survive, as she navigates her way to finally get a foot in the door at the UN. This is an impressive story in countless ways and I cannot more highly recommend it. ( )

nonfiction/memoir. Positive story, with activism! ( )

I received an advance copy of this book, Thank you.

What a remarkable life and what a remarkable woman. To have overcome so many obstacles and remained true to her dreams is awe inspiring. Elizabeth was raise by her grandmother in Zimbabawe surrounded with love and guidance. Years of drought brought her village to starvation and she was saved from the brink of death by a young United Nations aid worker. That is when her dream began. That simple act caused Elizabeth to want to go forth and help others. This path seemed unlikely since at that point she hadn't ever gone to school. For a few years she spends time with her mother, who had reclaimed her. She also spent time with an Aunt and Uncle. During these times she did get schooling, and found support at home. She pursued schooling, but was often called out to work to help her family. She also missed her grandmother a great deal. Her Aunt was a doctor and this is where she realized how much need is in the world and how medicine alone can't fix things. She saw that change needed to come from within and be accepted throughout the whole community. This book is about her entire winding, but focused journey. One of my favorite quotes is: "If you think you are too small to make a difference try sleeping in a room with a mosquito." ( )