Former Child Soldier to Speak at Glenbard West

Submitted by Glenbard Township High School District 87

The Glenbard Parent Series: (GPS) Navigating Healthy Families presents an evening with Ishmael Beah, author of “A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier.”

Beah is a nationally acclaimed speaker and advocate for children affected by war. His memoir is used in many Glenbard District 87 English and social studies classes.

Beah will share his riveting, inspiring story at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, in the auditorium at Glenbard West, 670 Crescent Blvd. in Glen Ellyn.

Beah is a former child soldier in Sierra Leone. At the age of 12, he fled from attacking rebels and his homeland, which became unrecognizable through violence. By 13, he had been picked up by the government army and under its coercive tactics, including the use of drugs, he found himself capable of committing terrible acts. At 15, Beah was taken to a UNICEF rehabilitation center, and later when the civil war hit his country, he fled to Guinea and eventually to America.

Families are encouraged to read Beah’s book together and join us when Beah will offer insights on how control over circumstances affects the human spirit, as well as ways to find one’s purpose in life.

This free event is open to the public. Education professionals who attend may earn CPDUs.

GPS is generously sponsored by the Cebrin Goodman Center, Cooperative Association for Special Education (CASE), College of DuPage, DuPage Medical Group and Trust Company of Illinois.