Just Read: Don't tell me You are Afraid

This one is a story about HOPE. A story of a young Somali girl who lived in hope. It is based on a true story of Samia Yusuf Omar who dared to dream of becoming an olympic champion in a war torn country, and her journey to fulfill her dream.

I picked this book from the library last week from new arrivals section. I just read the cover brief and was instantly hooked. 'Based on a remarkable true story, an unforgettable Somali girl risks her life on the migrant journey to Europe to run in Olympic games'. Also this book is about love of running which suits me just well.

Samia, a eight year old, loves to run with his best friend Ali in war torn streets of Mogadishu. She drove her inspiration from a more popular Somali Mo Farah, who left his war torn homeland for Britain at a young age, but she want to achieve her goals from her own country. She practiced in a wrecked stadium in the night and ran her practice runs covered in Burkha. She faced dangers and threats from fundamentalists militia Al-Shabab controlling the city. Facing adversity she became the fastest girl in Somalia by age 17, and represented her country in 2008 Beijing Olympics. Despite her success a country in tatters couldn't support her dream, and the personal setbacks made her life unbearable. Finally she decided to flee to Europe to fulfill her dream of participating in London Olympics, and made her long nightmarish journey to Europe filled with despair, suffering, abuse.

The book is one of those cases where story is better than the writing. I did not know before finishing the book that it is a translation of Italian book with same title in Italian - Non dirmi che hai paura which was released in 2014. The original book went on to become a bestseller and won many awards.

Running 200 meters in Beijing Olympics

It is an exceptional story told through Samia's perspective. You could feel her dreams, success, losses and suffering through the words. A lot has been said about condition in these war torn countries, but when you see a decorated athlete going to achieve his dream, you feel for all the athletes of these countries who despite adversities come to world stage to represent their country.

I know how the story ends and as it is a true story it is easy to find it in internet too. The book is a work of fiction, but it tells the story of every refugee searching for a better life in another country.

I have heard about the Somali civil war since I was kid in late 80s. The pictures of starved malnourished children and child soldiers were everywhere. In recent years, since 2012, Somalia has stepped towards stability with a stable government. The militia is still a big threat, but finally life is improving.