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Rising Heart: One Woman's Astonishing Journey from Unimaginable Trauma to Becoming a Power for Good
'The best and the worst of our shared humanity...breathtaking and heartbreaking.' The Hon. Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO
One woman's astonishing journey from unimaginable trauma to becoming a power for good.
In 1999, Sierra Leone was in the midst of a brutal civil war where mindless violence, vicious amputation and the rape of young enslaved women were the everyday weapons of bloody conflict.
It was also where rebel soldiers snatched the young Aminata Conteh-Biger from her father's arms, then held her captive for months.
After she was released, the UNHCR recognised that her captors still posed a serious threat to her safety. So, still in her teens, she was put on a plane and flown to Australia to start afresh as a refugee in a land she knew nothing about.
It is here that she has proudly built a life, while never allowing her trauma to define her. Yet it was a near-death experience she suffered during the birth of her child that turned her attention to the women of Sierra Leone - where they are 200 times more likely to die while having a baby than in Australia.
So she set up the Aminata Maternal Foundation, then returned to the land of her birth to help. This is her story.
PRAISE FOR RISING HEART
'Aminata knocked me out at our first meeting in Sydney some years ago...courage shining through as she spoke of some of her experiences in Sierra Leone. Her story, Rising Heart, will never leave you; searing, powerful, disturbing, hopeful.' The Hon. Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO
'The spirit of Aminata's story will stay with you long after you finish reading. Rising Heart has refuelled my sense of perspective and purpose. Aminata's courage in sharing this intensely personal story is rewarded with the power of inspiring hope. Thank you, Aminata, for sharing.' Yael Stone, actor and activist
'A powerful read that will make you cry at the injustice and brutality of our world - especially the treatment of women and girls - but then shed tears of admiration and hope. Aminata reminds us of the power of an individual to make a difference. She is an inspirational woman who has brought about extraordinary change, and is a shining example of why we must all be good global citizens. What a beautiful Australian story.' Natasha Stott Despoja AO
'A gripping story of courage, survival and redemption.' Wendy McCarthy AO
'An incredible story of hope and transformation, one that we can all learn from.' Emma Isaacs, Founder and Global CEO, Business Chicks
'Women's reproductive health is one of the most important factors in determining their quality of life and that of their children. Aminata's extraordinary efforts in her country of origin will make a life-changing difference to the mothers and children of Sierra Leone.' Professor Kerryn Phelps AM
'I have met many refugees the world over, and the courage of Aminata's personal account as a survivor of unimaginable cruelty is both disturbing and inspiring. Her unwavering belief in human kindness in the face of so much adversity is what makes her a role model for so many women and girls.' Louise Aubin, UNHCR Representative
'Aminata not only gives an important voice to her own intensely personal story but also to the many forgotten women and girls caught up in war and conflict today. She is a compelling advocate for the rights of these women and also for the work of the UN Refugee Agency who supports them.' Naomi Steer, National Director Australia for UNHCR
One woman's astonishing journey from unimaginable trauma to becoming a power for good.
In 1999, Sierra Leone was in the midst of a brutal civil war where mindless violence, vicious amputation and the rape of young enslaved women were the everyday weapons of bloody conflict.
It was also where rebel soldiers snatched the young Aminata Conteh-Biger from her father's arms, then held her captive for months.
After she was released, the UNHCR recognised that her captors still posed a serious threat to her safety. So, still in her teens, she was put on a plane and flown to Australia to start afresh as a refugee in a land she knew nothing about.
It is here that she has proudly built a life, while never allowing her trauma to define her. Yet it was a near-death experience she suffered during the birth of her child that turned her attention to the women of Sierra Leone - where they are 200 times more likely to die while having a baby than in Australia.
So she set up the Aminata Maternal Foundation, then returned to the land of her birth to help. This is her story.
PRAISE FOR RISING HEART
'Aminata knocked me out at our first meeting in Sydney some years ago...courage shining through as she spoke of some of her experiences in Sierra Leone. Her story, Rising Heart, will never leave you; searing, powerful, disturbing, hopeful.' The Hon. Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO
'The spirit of Aminata's story will stay with you long after you finish reading. Rising Heart has refuelled my sense of perspective and purpose. Aminata's courage in sharing this intensely personal story is rewarded with the power of inspiring hope. Thank you, Aminata, for sharing.' Yael Stone, actor and activist
'A powerful read that will make you cry at the injustice and brutality of our world - especially the treatment of women and girls - but then shed tears of admiration and hope. Aminata reminds us of the power of an individual to make a difference. She is an inspirational woman who has brought about extraordinary change, and is a shining example of why we must all be good global citizens. What a beautiful Australian story.' Natasha Stott Despoja AO
'A gripping story of courage, survival and redemption.' Wendy McCarthy AO
'An incredible story of hope and transformation, one that we can all learn from.' Emma Isaacs, Founder and Global CEO, Business Chicks
'Women's reproductive health is one of the most important factors in determining their quality of life and that of their children. Aminata's extraordinary efforts in her country of origin will make a life-changing difference to the mothers and children of Sierra Leone.' Professor Kerryn Phelps AM
'I have met many refugees the world over, and the courage of Aminata's personal account as a survivor of unimaginable cruelty is both disturbing and inspiring. Her unwavering belief in human kindness in the face of so much adversity is what makes her a role model for so many women and girls.' Louise Aubin, UNHCR Representative
'Aminata not only gives an important voice to her own intensely personal story but also to the many forgotten women and girls caught up in war and conflict today. She is a compelling advocate for the rights of these women and also for the work of the UN Refugee Agency who supports them.' Naomi Steer, National Director Australia for UNHCR
320 pages, Paperback
Published August 25, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 12, 2023
An eye-opening story. It reinforces what a lucky country we live in.
July 16, 2021
“Why should I look helpless just because I am in a helpless situation?”
This is my favourite line from the whole book and to me it epitomises African women for whom dignity is so important. Just because they are not blubbering messes and attempt to get on with life it does not mean they haven’t been through hell and don’t need support just like everyone else does at times.
This is an important, confronting story. I don’t agree with everything she says but I do respect the fact she is honest, gives credit where credit is due and doesn’t just blame others. Aminata was very sheltered as a child due to her father being so protective so many of the things which happened to her probably came as more of a shock than they would to others. What she went through would be very difficult to move past for anyone and the fact she did in such an emphatic way is down to her personal characteristics. Her father gave her one of the best gifts a parent can, even though he tried to shelter her he also gave her self-belief and the absolute knowledge she was loved. I envy her ability to believe so many people love and value her, it must make moving forward easier. Aminata also credits God with helping her, if it helps her why not?
Aminata says she is not lucky, she has worked to overcome the bad things. This may be partly true but if she had been born to a different Father she would not have had the skills and self-belief to recognise opportunities and make the best of them. Her father seems to deserve every bit of respect he was given by his community. He may not have been perfect but he saved lives in his own lifetime and now his children are doing the same. What a wonderful legacy.
As person who was the result of a difficult birth in Africa, which almost killed me and my mother, I very much admire what Aminata is doing to try to help other women and girls in that situation. My mother went to England to have my sister, rather than stay with dad, she was so traumatised by my birth. Most people can’t do that so we were all very lucky.
I am very disappointed with the racism Aminata and her children have experienced in Australia. I know it happens but I wish society could accept people are people. It also happens to white skins in mostly black regions so perhaps a few white people need to go get judged on their colour and experience how it feels. A bit more travel and experiencing the world and perhaps people will be more accepting of humans as humans.
This is my favourite line from the whole book and to me it epitomises African women for whom dignity is so important. Just because they are not blubbering messes and attempt to get on with life it does not mean they haven’t been through hell and don’t need support just like everyone else does at times.
This is an important, confronting story. I don’t agree with everything she says but I do respect the fact she is honest, gives credit where credit is due and doesn’t just blame others. Aminata was very sheltered as a child due to her father being so protective so many of the things which happened to her probably came as more of a shock than they would to others. What she went through would be very difficult to move past for anyone and the fact she did in such an emphatic way is down to her personal characteristics. Her father gave her one of the best gifts a parent can, even though he tried to shelter her he also gave her self-belief and the absolute knowledge she was loved. I envy her ability to believe so many people love and value her, it must make moving forward easier. Aminata also credits God with helping her, if it helps her why not?
Aminata says she is not lucky, she has worked to overcome the bad things. This may be partly true but if she had been born to a different Father she would not have had the skills and self-belief to recognise opportunities and make the best of them. Her father seems to deserve every bit of respect he was given by his community. He may not have been perfect but he saved lives in his own lifetime and now his children are doing the same. What a wonderful legacy.
As person who was the result of a difficult birth in Africa, which almost killed me and my mother, I very much admire what Aminata is doing to try to help other women and girls in that situation. My mother went to England to have my sister, rather than stay with dad, she was so traumatised by my birth. Most people can’t do that so we were all very lucky.
I am very disappointed with the racism Aminata and her children have experienced in Australia. I know it happens but I wish society could accept people are people. It also happens to white skins in mostly black regions so perhaps a few white people need to go get judged on their colour and experience how it feels. A bit more travel and experiencing the world and perhaps people will be more accepting of humans as humans.
January 31, 2022
The courage required to be able to start life anew as a refugee and Aminata’s survival from rape, kidnapping and unbelievable violence against her and her people is inspiring. A harrowing read but we need to know what happened especially those of us who have never experienced anything like this and hopefully never will. Human beings can be unbelievably cruel!
January 4, 2021
This book didn't captivate me and I put it away mutiple times. I felt the writing was forceful and left me with no desire to take any sort of action. It's a horrible account of her life with an amazing ending, yet I just couldn't connect.
May 14, 2021
A frank account of some horrific and some beautiful experiences, all approached with grace and dignity. Aminata is a truly impressive woman working hard to make tangible changes to our world and her story is told well.
September 5, 2020
Wow such and eye opening read.
Read
November 9, 2021What an absolutely incredible story!
I know I wouldn't have survived this life!
Wishing Aminata all the very best for the rest of her life journey!
I know I wouldn't have survived this life!
Wishing Aminata all the very best for the rest of her life journey!
March 15, 2023
Thank you BorrowBox for putting this title as recommended reading - an excellent book. Her courage is remarkable.
Audio narrator was perfect
Audio narrator was perfect
April 19, 2021
I found Aminata's story utterly captivating. Her strength and reslience shines through the pages. Her experience of being a refugee in Australia was really interesting and I predict written through a lense of kindness towards Australia rather than the reality. Aminta has this way of focusing on the positive in every experience and her energy is uplifting and refreshing. I loved reading her story and learnt a lot from her experiences.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews