Briefly tell us about your book.
It is a story about a boy born in a tribe, who joined the rebel army at 13 to avenge the death of his brother and fight for his country. It is also the story about a lost boy who came to Australia as a refugee and everything he went through.
What inspired the idea behind this book?
After being on national TV (Look me in the Eye) I got to tell a small part of my story for the first time and the feedback from the viewers was what inspired me to write this book.
What was the research process like for the book?
There wasn’t much of a research process, it was just a matter of digging back into my past and retelling my story of everything I have been through. I wrote this book with Craig Henderson, where we spent hours on end going back through years in my past.
If I looked at your internet history, what would it reveal about you?
That I am someone who refuses to give up on life.
What are you hoping the reader will take away from reading your book?
The power of forgiveness and how important it is to have hope in life and the people around you, but most importantly in yourself.
Tell us about your background and what led you to writing this book.
I am a former child soldier from South Sudan. I wanted to write this book to help others that have faced adversity like me, no matter who they are.
How does it feel to hold your book in your hands?
To hold my book in my hands, it’s a feeling like no other. This is one of the biggest things I have achieved in my life.
What was the most challenging part of writing this book?
The most challenging part of writing the book was definitely reliving my past. Remembering details that I had long ago buried. Like the first time I saw someone my age get shot.
How did you think of the title of the book?
The title of the book was one of the easiest parts about putting together this book because it was who I was during the war and for a big part of my life. I was a lost boy.
Hello Ayit,
I am, 66 year old woman, I go to the gym everyday, I use audio books while I am working out, unfortunately I have multiple sclerosis, I have two adult children, a boy and a girl, my daughter is about to have a baby due this week, we already know she is having z girl, I enjoyed your book so much I am telling everyone to listen to your book, By the way I grew up in Toowoomba and went to the DDIAE for a couple of years, which is where I commenced my tertiary education, thank you so much for writing this great and true story. Much love to you Ayit.