"From War to Hope: Mink Jawandor’s Powerful Story Behind Once Upon a Time in Freetown | A Tale of Resilience and Peace

In this moving episode of Happiness by Habit, we sit down with Mink Jawandor, author of Once Upon a Time in Freetown, as he shares his personal journey and the inspiration behind his book.Mink, a Sierra Leone native, grew up during the devastating Sierra Leone Civil War and has witnessed firsthand the horrors of war, the impact on children, and the strength of the human spirit to persevere through it all. His book captures a perspective often left untold—one of hope and resilience from a child’s view of the war. In this episode, we explore how Mink’s story challenges the conventional narratives seen in movies like Blood Diamond and highlights the emotional and cultural complexities of war.In this episode, you'll discover:Ming’s childhood experiences during the Sierra Leone Civil War (1991-2002) and how they shaped his writingThe untold stories of life during the war—how children, families, and even rebels sought normalcy and happiness despite the chaosThe message of hope, peace, and community-building from someone who lived through one of the most brutal conflicts in recent historyThe role of international aid and reconciliation programs in rebuilding post-war Sierra LeoneA sneak peek into Mink’s upcoming social science project on community development and the social impact of migration in Houston, TXWhether you're a fan of powerful personal narratives, learning about global conflicts, or exploring stories of human resilience, this episode will leave you inspired. Don’t miss out on Ming’s remarkable journey from Sierra Leone to storytelling.Make sure to check out Mink’s book, Once Upon a Time in Freetown, now available on Amazon and follow him for future projects focusing on community growth and migration tolerance. Read Here.👇 Don’t forget to subscribe for more inspiring conversations on global stories, resilience, and the power of hope!👉 Connect with Mink Jawandor on LinkedIn:   / Mink-Jawandor👉 Connect with Silvana Pimentel on LinkedIn:   / silvana-pimentel1 #MingJavandor #SierraLeone #OnceUponATimeInFreetown #WarStories #Resilience #PeaceBuilding #HopeInWar #MigrationTolerance #CommunityDevelopment #PostWarRecovery