Top model Waris's early life is a catalogue of misfortune. Born a nomad in the Somalian desert, she was sexually abused by a family friend at four and barbarically circumcised at five, running away from her family at 12 to escape being married to a much older man. In her flight, she nearly starves to death, narrowly escapes being eaten by a lion, and on top of that, suffers two attempted rapes. And all this within the first few pages of the book. Phew.
But for Waris the worst is far from over. She finally makes her way to Mogadishu to the house of an uncle who works as an ambassador. He then takes her to London with his family to work as his maid. It is here that Waris is discovered by a fashion photographer and launched on a highly successful modeling career, but there is still more trouble in store for her.
If you've ever whined about having a hard time at work or not having enough money to go to the sales, you should read this book: you will never complain again. Here in the West, it's easy to take things for granted - basic freedoms we never call into question. For Waris, this is a luxury she will possibly never afford, despite all her success. Nevertheless, throughout her various ordeals, she maintains a remarkably positive outlook and an exemplary determination to succeed which she attributes to her poverty-stricken background and traditional African upbringing. Her sense of self and faith in God keeps her going through one trial after another. It is no wonder that the United Nations chose her to be a spokesperson against the practice of female circumcision, which is the reason Waris has written this book, as part of an ongoing campaign to outlaw the barbaric custom that kills thousands of young girls every year and condemns many thousands more to a life of pain and misery. Girls as young as four are held down while an older woman removes their clitoris often using blunt, rusty implements and without anaesthetic. Just reading about it brought tears to my eyes. It's unfathomable how women can do this to each other in the name of tradition.
There are gaps and inconsistencies in this book, but for the most part it is a touching and compelling story and one that also has great humor. This is definitely a book you will want to share with your family and female friends.
