I Am a Girl from Africa - by Elizabeth Nyamayaro (Paperback)

About the Book

"When severe draught hit her village in Zimbabwe, Elizabeth, then eight, had no idea that this moment of utter devastation would come to define her life purpose. Unable to move from hunger, she encountered a United Nations aid worker who gave her a bowl of warm porridge and saved her life. This transformative moment inspired Elizabeth to become a humanitarian, and she vowed to dedicate her life to giving back to her community, her continent, and the world. Grounded by the African concept of ubuntu--"I am because we are"--I Am a Girl from Africa charts Elizabeth's quest in pursuit of her dream from the small village of Goromonzi to Harare, London, New York, and beyond, where she eventually became a Senior Advisor at the United Nations and launched HeForShe, one of the world's largest global solidarity movements for gender equality. For over two decades, Elizabeth has been instrumental in creating change in communities all around the world; uplifting the lives of others, just as her life was once uplifted. The memoir brings to vivid life one extraordinary woman's story of persevering through incredible odds and finding her true calling--while delivering an important message of hope and empowerment in a time when we need it most"--

Book Synopsis

A "profound and soul-nourishing memoir" (Oprah Daily) from an African girl whose near-death experience sparked a lifelong dedication to humanitarian work that helps bring change across the world.When severe drought hit her village in Zimbabwe, Elizabeth Nyamayaro, then only eight, had no idea that this moment of utter devastation would come to define her life's purpose. Unable to move from hunger and malnourishment, she encountered a United Nations aid worker who gave her a bowl of warm porridge and saved her life--a transformative moment that inspired Elizabeth to dedicate herself to giving back to her community, her continent, and the world. In the decades that have followed, Elizabeth has been instrumental in creating change and uplifting the lives of others: by fighting global inequalities, advancing social justice for vulnerable communities, and challenging the status quo to accelerate women's rights around the world. She has served as a senior advisor at the United Nations, where she launched HeForShe, one of the world's largest global solidarity movements for gender equality. In I Am a Girl from Africa, she charts this "journey of perseverance" (Entertainment Weekly) from her small village of Goromonzi to Harare, Zimbabwe; London; New York; and beyond, always grounded by the African concept of ubuntu--"I am because we are"--taught to her by her beloved grandmother. This "victorious" (The New York Times Book Review) memoir brings to vivid life one extraordinary woman's story of persevering through incredible odds and finding her true calling--while delivering an important message of hope, empowerment, community support, and interdependence.

Review Quotes

"Nyamayaro's writing is particularly moving when describing personal tragedies like the losses of her beloved grandmother, Gogo, of her uncle, of her various mentors in the field. And Africa is ever the source of its own solutions ... victorious." -New York Times Book Review "Nyamayaro explores this transformative moment in her childhood and how it drove her to become an activist and fierce advocate for change. She shares personal stories of perseverance as she reflects on what it took to make it to the U.N. herself as a Senior Advisor, where she went on to launch the HeForShe campaign." -TIME "HeForShe founder Elizabeth Nyamayaro tells her story for the first time in I Am a Girl from Africa, which traces her childhood in Zimbabwe, her journey as a humanitarian, and her work as a United Nations Senior Advisor." -Bustle "[A] stirring memoir." -Good Morning America "A childhood near-death experience caused by severe drought in her village in Zimbabwe - and a lifesaving intervention by a U.N. worker - spawns Nyamayaro's lifelong dedication to humanitarian work; she writes about her journey of perseverance and path to becoming a senior advisor at the U.N. in her memoir." -Entertainment Weekly "In her stirring memoir I Am a Girl From Africa, the humanitarian, who grew up in a small village in rural Zimbabwe, recounts the day a U.N. aid worker rescued her from famine-and how that lifesaving encounter inspired her to become a living embodiment of the Nguni Bantu word 'ubuntu, ' which means 'I am because we are.'" -Essence magazine "Nyamayaro's journey has given her unique perspective and incredible wisdom that make this book an inspiring call to action for anyone hoping to make the world a better place." -Town and Country "Nyamayaro's heartwarming and inspirational story is symbolic of the faith, community uplift, and interdependence a girl from anywhere needs to soar." -Oprah Daily "Elizabeth Nyamayaro's I Am a Girl from Africa tells the story of the former United Nations senior advisor's inspiring full-circle journey after a UN aid worker saved her life when she was eight years old. Later in her life, she would go on to launch the HeForShe campaign and help bring change across the globe." -Marie Claire, 25 Great 2021 Memoirs to Pre-Order Now "A moving account of a determined young woman's journey from poverty to humanitarian activism ... Throughout this memorable account of her impressive life, the author recalls 'the central, definitive African value and philosophy of ubuntu: that when we uplift others, we are ourselves uplifted.' An inspiring narrative that will be especially valuable to young people seeking to work for humanitarian causes." -Kirkus "The striking title of this memoir establishes the very foundation of who the author, Elizabeth Nyamayaro, is. As the content is built upon this base, readers will find that they are occupying the story of a truly exceptional human being ... A deeply personal and richly inspirational self-portrait." -Booklist "Nyamayaro's steadfast pursuit of her goals is mirrored by steady narrative pacing; readers will cheer on her uncompromising commitment. Her life example provides a beacon for ambitious change-makers." -Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Elizabeth Nyamayaro is an award-winning humanitarian and Special Advisor for United Nations World Food Programme. Born in Zimbabwe, Elizabeth has worked at the forefront of global development for over two decades improving the lives of underserved populations and has held leadership roles at the World Bank, World Health Organization, UNAIDS, and UN Women. I Am a Girl from Africa is her first book.