Ishmael Beah

Date of Birth: November 23, 1980

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Biography

Ishmael Beah is a Sierra Leonean author and human rights activist, best known for his memoir, “A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier,” which recounts his harrowing experiences as a child soldier during the Sierra Leone Civil War. Born in Mogbwemo, Bonthe District, he lost his family and was forced into the army at the age of 13. After being rescued by UNICEF, Beah moved to the United States, where he completed his education and began his writing career. Beah’s memoir received critical acclaim for its vivid and poignant portrayal of the impact of war on children. He has since become a prominent advocate for children affected by war, speaking at various international forums and working with organizations like Human Rights Watch and UNICEF. In addition to his memoir, Beah has written novels such as “Radiance of Tomorrow,” which explores the post-war rebuilding of a fictional African village. His works continue to shed light on the resilience and strength of the human spirit amidst adversity.

5 Interesting Facts about Ishmael Beah

1. Ishmael Beah was appointed UNICEF’s first Advocate for Children Affected by War in 2007.

2. His memoir, “A Long Way Gone,” has been published in over 40 languages.

3. Beah graduated from Oberlin College with a degree in Political Science.

4. He was featured in the 2007 Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world.

5. Beah has spoken at the United Nations and various other international platforms about the plight of child soldiers.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Ishmael Beah

1. “Some nights the sky wept stars that quickly floated and disappeared into the darkness before our wishes could meet them.”

2. “I believe children have the resilience to outlive their sufferings, if given a chance.”

3. “When I was young, I thought that by now I would be a doctor, but instead I became a child soldier.”

4. “We all have our own little war stories, they just happen to be different.”

5. “It is not only war that can break a person; sometimes it is the aftermath.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While specific figures are not widely publicized, Ishmael Beah’s net worth has been estimated to be around $1 million, primarily from book sales and speaking engagements.

Children

Ishmael Beah has two children. He often speaks about his desire to create a peaceful and nurturing environment for them, contrasting starkly with his own war-torn childhood.