Almost every morning, we woke to the song of the poor children living in the streets. Most of them were abandoned by their parents, and some were orphans, begging and starving in the large cities of Senegal. The song, sung by a seven-year-old boy, was full of melancholy. Sometimes the song sounded closer and closer as the boy who sang it edged toward our window, trying his best to be heard. Oftentimes I peeked through the blinds and saw a frail, barefoot child with cracked lips, peeling skin, and a bumpy scalp, his arms and legs covered with wounds. He carried an empty two-pound tomato can with a handle made of electrical wire. I always clambered down to fill his can with milk and give him a piece of bread. I was eight years old, growing up feeling joyful. Life became meaningful, and I couldnt stop making changes in peoples lives. I came to America with a dream that no one could see but myself. While living a trial-and-error life in the United States, my inner world was so loud that nothing could stop me from achieving my goals of helping women and children in need. Through my struggles, I found my true self, I learned to overcome the adversity and everyday stress in my life. By embracing my pain, I stopped suffering, I was able to find meaning in any situation that arises and took most of the challenges as opportunities to find my vision, and most importantly to help my children discover their purpose in life. This book introduces readers to a higher level of joyful life that their families will benefit from. Readers will be inspired to make changes in any area they want to, and they will learn how to achieve their dreams, even when life is pulling them away from those dreams. I have learned so much from this journey that I wanted other people to gain from my experiences and to use the stories and ideas to enhance their journeys and become angels of change for the world they live in. 20% of all proceeds will be donated to Family Bridge Foundation
About the Author: Bineta Ngom was born in Senegal, West Africa, in 1964. After living in Senegal for thirty years, she came to the United States of America in 1994 to join her husband. She currently lives in Los Angeles and has for twenty-three years. She grew up without her father, who died when she was only four years old, and was raised by her mother, a strong woman who taught her how to appreciate and serve people in need, even when the family was enduring hard times. Shes blessed with four children, who are growing up knowing that part of life is about serving others in need. At the age of sixteen, Bineta knew that her purpose in life was to make a difference in the lives of women and children: Coming to America has broadened my vision, and my life has been a learning process since the day I arrived. Writing my book and establishing the foundation were a good way for me to contribute. Bineta is the founder of Family Bridge Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to help underprivileged women and children reach their full potential in life. Some of its programs include emergency assistance, mentorship and tutoring, food distribution, health awareness education, youth cultural exchange, and economic empowerment in Senegal and Los Angeles. For a full description of the foundations mission statement and programs, go to www.fambf.org or www.familybridgefoundation.org. Bineta is a licensed cosmetologist and also has an associates degree in management. Shes currently working on her bachelors degree in leadership in youth in development at Antioch University Connected. Her hobbies include reading books that improve her personal development and being creative in her kitchen.