Mariatu Kamara was born in Sierra Leone and lives in peace with her family and friends. They hear of rumours of rebel attacks, but do not worry that anything will happen to them. When Mariatu is 12, she sets out for a neighbouring village but she never arrives at the village. Mariatu is attacked and tortured by rebel soldiers, many who are not much older than Mariatu. During the violence, her hands are cut off. Mariatu survives the attack and faces the reality of life with no hands. With no family or living adults to support her, she turns to begging in the streets of Freetown. She eventually makes her way to Toronto where she starts a new life.

English language arts 10 [2011 - The Challenges of Life (A10) and Equity and Ethics (B10)].