Crowdfunding to Feed Displaced Families in Afghanistan – Through Sales of The Lightless Sky Book by Gulwali Passarlay

 

Book Synopsis

Gulwali Passarlay was sent away from Afghanistan at the age of twelve, after his father was killed in a gun battle with the US Army. Smuggled into Iran, Gulwali embarked upon a twelve-month odyssey across Europe, spending time in prisons, suffering hunger cruelty and violence. He endured a terrifying, life-threatening journey across the Mediterranean in a tiny boat, and spent a desolate month in the camp at Calais. Somehow he survived and made it to Britain, no longer an innocent child but still a young boy alone.

Here in Britain he was fostered, sent to a good school, worked hard and won a place at a top university. Gulwali was chosen to carry the Olympic torch in 2012. He wants to tell his story – to bring to life the plight of the thousands of men, women and children who are making this perilous journey every day. Many die along the way, some are sent back to face imprisonment and possible death, some survive and make it here, to a country which offers them the chance of a life of freedom and opportunity. One boy’s experience is the central story of our times. This memoir celebrates the triumph of courage and determination over adversity.

 

Book Reviews 

“The Lightless Sky is a heart-rending read that illuminates the plight of unaccompanied minors forced to leave their homes and loved ones. [Passarlay’s] powerful account is a testament to the courage of all those fleeing conflict in search of safety.”—The Independent (UK)

“The Lightless Sky is a remarkably vivid memoir [that] leaves you fearing for Gulwali’s safety and admiring his utterly tenacious resolve against overwhelming odds; but at the same time it is also a fearsome reminder of the experiences being endured by numberless, anonymous migrants.”—The Herald (Scotland)

“A powerful account of a year-long journey …. [a] life that was almost snuffed out so prematurely is now bursting with promise.”—The Times (London)

“A tale of fortitude and friendship told through a child’s eyes, Gulwali’s story casts much needed light on the difficult decisions refugees are forced to take about who to trust and how to stay alive against a backdrop of political indifference.”—The Refugee Council (UK)

“A tale of gracious triumph over all sorts of adversity as the author describes his life as a refugee and his arduous journey… This is a harrowing but necessary must-read about an exceptional young man, adding context to so much of what we read in the papers.”—Stylist (UK)

Beautifully written… It should be required reading in British schools.—The Big Issue

The Lightless Sky is a heart-rending read that illuminates the plight of unaccompanied minors forced to leave their homes and loved ones. [Passarlay’s] fierce intelligence is apparent throughout… His powerful account is a testament to the courage of all those fleeing conflict in search of safety.–The Independent on Sunday 

[A] powerful account of a year-long journey to Britain… As a call for Europe and Britain to do more for the world’s refugees, the book is as powerful as that harrowing picture of the dead toddler on the beach.—The Times

An extraordinary man – achieving against all odds.—Jon Snow on Twitter

 

Crowdfunding Rewards 

eBook – How to Start a Charity/Nonprofit Organisation

Many people who see many of the social, environmental and humanitarian challenges we see around us aspire to one day start an organisation, charity, nonprofit, or social enterprise to do something about it. Many people too would love to, but feel daunted by the prospect because they don’t know how, or feel they don’t have enough of the support, people, resources of funding to do so.

This eBook walks you through the 7 fundamental phases any organisation and it’s founder must go through in order to prepare, launch and grow an organisation devoted to making a meaningful impact in the world. For more about this eBook click here.

 

Online Course – How to Become an Influential Changemaker

Whether you’ll looking to advance in a career in the 3rd sector, aspiring to build your own nonprofit/charity one day, or perhaps are responsible in running one, there is a serious need in being able to enhance individuals’ and organisations’ ability to make a far bigger impact. Why? It is evident because when you look at the scale of the issues we face current charities etc are barely scratching the surface of the issue despite their best efforts.

This online course addresses the lack of the professional and personal mindsets and skillsets which are rife throughout the sector. It is divided into 4 parts:

1. PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT – Enhancing positive and productivity habits, self-discipline, time management, vision, motivation and overcoming limiting habits.
2. PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT – Learning the fundamentals of leadership and building a strong, close-knit community.
3. PROJECT DEVELOPMENT – Understanding the essential basics of preparing for and planning any project along with learning the basics of how an organisation ought operate in order to maximise the impact of the project.
4. PROBLEM SOLVING STRATEGIES – You will always encounter problems, either with a project or with people on the project. This part shares strategies for addressing the problems you will encounter.

Every course participant gets a Supporter, a real person there to guide them every step of the way to ensure they get the most out of it. To learn more about the online course click here.

 

Book Postage and packaging costs free to the UK, £5 to Europe, or £9 for worldwide.