Heart of Fire

Born in 1974, Senait Mehari was abandoned by her parents as a baby and spent her early years in an orphanage. After 4 years, she returned to her father, but at the onset of the War of Liberation he made the shocking decision to give Senait and two of her stepsisters to the rebel troops. This work offers the story of a woman determined to succeed.

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Born in 1974, Senait Mehari was abandoned by her parents as a baby and spent her early years in a state orphanage. After four years she returned to her father, but at the onset of the War of Liberation he made the shocking decision to give Senait and two of her stepsisters to the rebel troops of the Eritrean Liberation Front. Senait spent three harrowing years in a training camp for child soldiers - witnessing first-hand the brutalities of war and enduring hunger, sickness and beatings. She was rescued in 1983 when her uncle arranged a daring escape to Sudan and the sisters lived in Khartoum for four years, until they were summoned to Germany by their father. Life in Germany was difficult. At fourteen Senait left home to live on the streets and began composing music. Now Senait feels compelled to speak. Heart of Fire is the moving and inspirational story of a woman determined to succeed.