Thank you so much for the opportunity to review this title, but my reading interests have changed. I will not be finishing this book, but look forward to others in the future.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is well written. This book is very inspiring. I would highly highly recommend reading this book to anyone and everyone. This is a inspiring and moving book. I really enjoyed this book. Ten stars in my opinion. This book is in stores for $28.00 (USD).

I honestly didn't get a chance to finish this book, but I thought it was much more poetically written than I expected (which is a plus for me!). Reading about Elizabeth's journey -- from a small village to the big city with no safety net -- was equal parts inspirational and harrowing. She seems like a remarkable woman and I'm happy her story is being told.

I Am a Girl from Africa by Elizabeth Nyamayaro was a compelling read and one that I won’t soon forget. The words of the author capture the essence of her upbringing in Zimbabwe as well as the culture of the African people. I was fascinated with the concept of ubuntu, its translation to “I am because we are”, and the willingness of the villagers where Elizabeth grew up to take care of each other.

The topic of gender inequity should be relatable to readers worldwide. None of us are immune to its existence or its consequences. I was humbled by the author’s dedication of her life to this cause and the sheer tenacity that led her to overcome her circumstances. Additionally, the African proverbs at the end of each chapter enriched my understanding of the culture. The one that I thought most exemplified Elizabeth was the Ghanaian proverb “You must act as if it is impossible to fail”.

Although I received a complimentary advance reader copy, I purchased the audio version so that I could hear the author’s story in her own voice. The richness and cadence of her voice was well worth the price of the audio copy, and enhanced my enjoyment of the book significantly. (I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy and all opinions are my own.). Elizabeth’s story is touching, profound and inspiring - it is one that everyone should read.

Reading Elizabeth Nyamayaro's I AM A GIRL FROM AFRICA, I was struck with a very obvious thought: "This is what a memoir should be - simple truth - that is what makes a memoir compelling, and Nyamayaro needs no embellishment. Her story is a true journey of life, circumstance and success. It is the story of a woman who unlocked her potential as she gradually learned, not only what was possible, but what she wanted. She has changed lives, media and business, all while simply doing what felt natural to her - thinking of others. She didn't do it without assistance, but she is unique in that she took whatever opportunities (and setbacks) were offered her, and turned them into opportunity for others. She is a true inspiration and this is the type of book that makes you realize that life gives you choices, and it is your responsibility to make the right decisions with them.

Elizabeth Nyamayaro is inspiring. Growing up in a small Zimbabwe village, she was a part of a close knit community. During a drought and near death, an “angel from God dressed in blue” gave her warm porridge and water. From that time on she knew she wanted to work for the United Nations. Her quest took her to England and then to Zurich where she worked on the HIV/AIDS campaign. In her determination, she never took “NO” for an answer. I’d love to listen to the audiobook narrated by the author.

As a young girl growing up in Zimbabwe, Elizabeth Nyamayaro understands hunger firsthand when her village experiences a terrible drought. On the brink of starvation, a United Nations aid worker finds Nyamayaro collapsed in a field and feeds her life-saving porridge. In that moment, Nyamayaro vows to uplift others as she was uplifted, and she eventually goes on to become a Senior Advisor at the United Nations and launches HeForShe, a campaign that invites men to join the fight against gender inequality.

I am a Girl from Africa is the inspiring story of Nyamayaro’s determination and resilience to chase her dream and make a difference in the world by helping others. It is also a story about community and the power we all have when we are united by a central cause.

I loved reading Elizabeth's story and watching her find her "shinga" (inner strength). The narration seamlessly blends past and present moments in her life to highlight her growth and show how the lessons she learned as a child affected her future career. I would recommend this book to someone who wants to learn more about the woman behind the HeForShe moment, or to anyone who needs a bit of inspiration in their life.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a captivating read.

It took me a while to get through because of my own reading slump but the story and writing are compelling. We follow Nyamayaro from her childhood in Zimbabwe to her work on United Nations campaigns like HeForShe. She writes so vividly and openly about her experiences from starvation and discrimination to her determination to achieve her dreams. We go back and forth through Nyamayaro's life as she figures out her identity and survival. The book also talks about the importance of gender equality.

This is an incredible and powerful read.

Where to even start!?!?! Honestly there is just so much to say about this book- I guess simply put I think EVERYONE should read it ! EVERYONE ! There is so much to gain and learn from this....
This is story about hopes and dream, about family, community, perseverance, about struggle ... it is a story of inequality and violence but it is also more than a story it is a solution or at the least guidance for stepping into a solution - it is the story of the creation of HeForShe and the character building and inspiration of it founder .... this story opened my eyes to so much, I cannot even, I think my head may explode!
In US I often find in our struggles we tend to isolate not letting others in because you “are not one of us so you cannot speak about our struggle or understand” this just creates greater divide & miscommunication...also you are often leaving out the very people causing the issue the very people you need to change/the ones who MUST be a part of the solution because if they do not understand (self-identify) and if they do not feel responsible and involved I doubt change will happen - I am not saying the racist or the misogynistic ass will be joining you but if it is men or whites or whomever that are the heart of the issue then you must allow people of that group who want to support you to be a part of it because they will reach others like them and they will help foster change too and they will help find solutions and impact the generations to come then hopefully they can change the minds of those creating the issue which to me is what he for she is doing they are holding men accountable and men are holding each other accountable - it also helps when one can see how hurting one or minimizing one is really hurting and minimizing all ! The concept of ubuntu could change the world - “i am because we are, and because we are , you are” if we could all self identify and find empathy and understanding it would change the world!!!!
I could go on and on - I don’t want to spoil this so all I will say is you will be educated and likely disgusted but inspired after reading this ! I am still struggling to take it all in I cannot believe how far we still have to (MUST) go!

This is a fascinating story about how a girl from Africa, once near starvation herself, became a senior advisor at the UN, "Guided by ubuntu—which teaches that one suffering person is everyone’s responsibility, and that our ­ability to flourish as individuals is inextricably linked to the ability of our community to thrive."

Nyamayaro's story alternates between her young adult life/rise of her career and her childhood. She writes a compelling, vibrant narrative, and I found myself wavering between outrage at the state of women in the world (and how much worse it was than I ever realized) and then brought to near tears with the beauty of ubuntu in action-communities working together to find solutions to gender based inequality and violence. A truly empowering book told in a voice filled with music, "I Am a Girl From Africa" is a must-read.

The author, Elizabeth Nyamayaro, grew up in Zimbabwe, nearly dying of kwashiorkor when she was one year old. Her parents left her with her grandmother, Gogo, who took her in and raised her while teaching her about her African heritage and to be a proud African girl.

In writing her story, Elizabeth alternates between her childhood experiences of working in her grandmother's fields and taking care of her young sisters and brothers, and her adulthood when she worked with AIDS/HIV patients and those afflicted with river blindness. A momentous milestone occurred when near death from hunger, a woman in a blue uniform saw her and gave her a bowl of porridge. From then on, she knew what she wanted to do with her life.

Elizabeth details her work with UN agencies in Geneva, New York, and London. Her work took her back to Africa and other countries and continents, where she helped improve others' lives, especially women and girls. She is a true humanitarian who found a calling and persevered to make it happen.