WINNER Manitoba Reads on the Same Page In The Lucky Ones: African Refugees' Stories of Extraordinary Courage, Anne Mahon presents a collection of personal accounts of heartbreaking loss, extraordinary bravery, and the resilience needed to begin again in a new country. Candidly told in their own words, the subjects reveal the uplifting truth of their unbreakable human spirit. A wide assortment of men and women ranging in age from four to 73 represent a variety of African countries and backgrounds. Their compelling stories span from experiences in their African birth countries to their new home in Manitoba. These inspiring insights challenge assumptions and encourage understanding. All author proceeds from the sale of this book will go to micro-lending opportunities and post-secondary scholarships for the African community of Manitoba.

Anne Mahon's profile page

Anne Mahon's interest in telling the stories of African refugees grew out of her dedicated commitment to Canada's newcomers. She has been involved in a variety of community organizations and was nominated for the Lieutenant Governor's Make a Difference Community Award for her volunteer service. She lives in Winnipeg with her husband and three children. This is her first book.

"Anne Mahon faithfully captures refugees' voices with raw authenticity, imprinting their lives onto our collective memory." - Lisa Shannon, author of A Thousdand Sisters and founder of Run for Congolese Women

"Canada has thousands of untold stories of the immigrant and refugee experience. Here is a well-selected and well-told sampling - gripping accounts of what it's like to overcome horrific obstacles and to live the dream." - Tom Denton, Director, Hospitality House Refugee Ministry

"Reading this book will help us bridge the gap with the refugees - and will make us better Canadians - as we appreciate our good fortune at the accident of birth. This is priority reading as we live in an increasingly complex Canadian society." - Art DeFehr, former representative of the UNHCR to Somalia

"The book's shocking first-hand accounts of survival will cause readers to bristle the next time they hear someone cast refugees as 'fraudsters' or 'just someone here to take our jobs.' And reading about parents who were forced to run for the border without their children- let alone their passports - will cause people to question the government's dismissive terminology of bogus and illegal refugees." - The Catalyst, Citizens for Public Justice Publication