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You must use what you have and stop complaining: Kamara continued from p.3 With what was left of her arms, Kamara said she grabbed the fruit and ate it. At that point, she said, she realized her will to live was stronger than what had happened to her. She was taken to a hospital in Freetown, the country's capital. There, Kamara was reunited with her cousins who had also brutally had their hands cut off. Following her recovery, Kamara was placed in a refugee camp for amputees where she was forced to beg for money to survive. Some members of Kamara's family found out where she was, but were unable to assist as they, too, had lost everything to the rebels. In 2002, when a Sierra Leonean family living in Canada read about Kamara in a newspaper article, they offered to sponsor her immigration. "I didn't know anything about Canada. I had heard about America in general, but I didn't know anything about what it looks like or what is there," said Kamara. "They kept the snow and the cold as a bit of surprise for me. Oh Lord, I don't have snow in my country and it was terrible the first time I experienced snow in Canada." Kamara said the tall buildings of Toronto were intimidating as was the fact she could not read, write or speak English. She worked hard in school and managed to write by holding a pencil in between her arms. She graduated from high school in 2008 and later George Brown College where she trained to become a social worker. Today, she is sharing her story through her book, Bite of the Mango, has worked as a UNICEF Special Representative and is working to build an amputee centre in Sierra Leone. Kamara said she has forgiven the rebels, as many were just children whose homes were destroyed and who were kidnapped, drugged and manipulated into killing. She said anger and bitterness do not lead anywhere. "I realized this is the situation I am in now and I should just embrace it," she said. "Use what you have to make a difference. If you have a voice use it. If you have one hand use it. If you have one leg use it and stop complaining." You can contact Kamara at mariatu86@ hotmail.com. 13 | Wednesday, September 25, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Shhhh... Oakville's Best Kept Secret. It's local, it's less, It's time to recycle your DRYWALL ! Located just off the QEW at 2182 WYECROFT ROAD, OAKVILLE Open to the public 8:30am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday Closed Weekends and Holidays Rate: $57.50/Tonne 18kt gold cluster dinner ring, emerald cut sapphire 2ct., 92 brilliant cut diamonds approx. 0.66ct., SI1-SI2, G-H, (Gemscan Replacement Value $6,800) You can have this one only, for $3,390* The Highest Quality, The Lowest Price. Guaranteed. 309 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville 905.339.7604 · www.omnijewelcrafters.com *Subject to prior sale and may be terminated at any time. LEED certification www.nwgypsum.com 905-847-0520 In Stock Including:Air conditioning, Automatic transmission stk:#16844 SALE PRICE 17 . 0 $19,899 + HST & Licence 74* Over 72 months* $131. with $2000 down 0% APR up to 72 months or $2000 cash back*