The harrowing story of a boy soldier

Last month, the Opportunity Book Club was transported to northern Kenya to learn about Dadaab, the world's largest refugee camp, through Ben Rawlence's powerful book, City of Thorns. Just like the nine stories featured in Rawlence's book, there are millions of people around the world who have been forced from their homes because of violence, persecution, and famine. Opportunity International cares deeply about these often-forgotten communities, and we work within refugee camps and communities to create opportunities for those that have been displaced.

This month, we are turning to one of the most powerful books out there: A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah.

In this unforgettable memoir, Beah recounts his harrowing experience fleeing rebel violence as a 12-year-old boy, being captured by the government army, and becoming a child soldier forced to carry out unimaginable violence.

"Everyone in the world should read this book," the Washington Post commented. "Not just because it contains an amazing story, or because it's our moral, bleeding-heart duty, or because it's clearly written. We should read it to learn about the world and about what it means to be human."

Join us as we read this powerful, gripping, difficult, and critically important memoir.

We can't wait to read with you!