Strong and Free

Interview with Rebecca Campbell

Why the title Strong and Free?

Strong and Free are words in the Canadian National Anthem. They describe my feelings about Canada and myself. I had to be strong to get away from the war and make it to the western world with my family. Canada became my strength and my freedom, so I used the words from the Anthem.

Why did you write Strong and Free?

Writing the book was not my first intention. I was actually using a journal as therapy. I wrote down my thoughts about my life, my struggles as a release. The idea of a book came from friends.

What inspired you to write a book about your life?

What inspired me to write the book was the fact that western society tend to take their freedoms and lifestyle for granted. Free Medical care, education social services. People in the western world have more than other countries can imagine. I wanted to show people here what they have the quality of life so they could see how the other people have to struggle for the things that we take for granted.

However, there are several people and programs that are working to make a change. For example, Camera For Healing has been to Sierra Leone several times, helping battered women with provisions like free cameras to tell their own stories. While they are not trustworthy at first after they see that they are treated with dignity and respect they open up. They also provide common necessities like sewing machines and provide funding to allow children to go to school who otherwise would not be able to go.

For more information or to make a donation please visit:

http://www.camerasforhealing.com/

What do you hope to achieve with Strong and Free?

What I hope to achieve with Strong and Free is for people to see the struggle that others have to go through, not to take what we have for granted and maybe even get people to help others less fortunate then we are.