Beah and mother heal through storytelling

Ishmael Beah and Laura Simms related experiences and advice.

By Sangeeta Shastry

Published Feb. 19, 2009

Kind Crone Productions' Milbre Burch brought together former child soldier Ishmael Beah and his adopted mother Laura Simms for a discussion with the Columbia community Wednesday.

Journalism professor Jan Colbert introduced Beah, Simms and Burch, providing the audience with some background on her experiences in Africa.

"I went to Ethiopia last summer to teach investigative reporting to Ethiopian graduate students," Colbert said. "I was amazed at the devotion to possibility in what is one of the poorest nations in the world."

For Burch, Beah and Simms' tour is a dream come true.

"I have known Laura Simms since 1984," Burch said. "Since then, I became a mother, she became a mother, we have had conversations, concerts, and I have studied at her feet. And then I met her son, Ishmael."

Laura Simms is a professional storyteller, going to workshops across the country. She became the artist in residence at the Young Voices conference sponsored by the United Nations in 1996. It was these stories that brought mother and son together.

"This is a story about storytelling," Simms said. "This is a real love story."

More than 18 months later, across three countries and a process that spanned national conflicts and governments, Beah came to live with Simms in New York.

Simms received phone calls for television, radio and print offers, including one from Oprah Winfrey, but turned them down.

"The spotlight was only on Ishmael's identity as a child soldier," Simms explained. "I saw that there was far more to this human being than being a victim of war."

Beah and Simms answered questions about their experiences, and emphasized the effect that an individual can have upon society.

Graduate student Amarachi Opara was born in Nigeria, and she hopes to return there to pursue social work. She asked Simms and Beah about the counseling provided at the orphanage where he stayed, and how people can help.

"Every person is capable of making an enormous contribution through compassion," Simms said. "It is natural for us to take care of each other."

Beah agreed, saying people feel overwhelmed, but each person's contribution is valid.

"It is absolutely important that individuals from any country go back and help do our part," he said. "It is a grand miracle when we start thinking and allow our humanity to intersect with others' humanity. Your life is not only for yourself. It is for others."

Beah hopes to go to law school in the future, continue writing and continue speaking.

"Life has its own plans," he said. "If you're lucky, the plans match. If not, walk with an open heart. We shall see what happens."