A Recommended Read - SLAVE by Mende Nazer and Damian Lewis
Were you aware of the existence of slavery in Britain today?
‘Slave’ is an autobiography and tells the story of Mende Nazer. She spent a happy childhood in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan, living in a village of mud huts until the age of 12. It was then the Mujahidin rode into her village and abducted her along with many children of a similar age.
They sold Mende to an Arab family living in Khartoum and for seven years she became their slave, receiving no pay, no time off and being confined to their house.
When 19 years old she was sent to London to work for a relative of her slave master. Although her life was better it was not normal. When her master took a holiday in Sudan Mende was left in the care of a family who were much more kind and allowed her much more freedom.
Eventually friends plotted for her to escape before her master returned.
I found Mende’s story fascinating and moving. Her indomitable spirit in the face of such adversity was such that she received an honorary degree from London Metropolitan University. She hopes to become a nurse and is an active campaigner for human rights.
Recommended by Margaret Taylor
‘SLAVE’ by Mende Nazer and Damian Lewis
Paperback edition £8.99 by Virago Press