Abang Book Launch

On Monday, 19 October, the Social Justice group, many Year 11 students and staff, attended the launch of Buckets of Hope, the debut book from Abang Othow. Addressing her first student audience, Abang spoke about the process of writing, why she wrote the book, and read extracts from her hybrid-memoir. As Abang read, there was a  universal feeling that we were listening to a story that has been many years in the making and one that we felt so honoured to hear.

Over the past few years, Abang has presented to Year 10 students about her story of survival. As well as now being an author, Abang is also an educator, mother, model and human rights activist. She has appeared on SBS and ABC as well as featured in many articles in outlets such as the Financial Review. In her capacity as a refugee advocate and through the work of UNHCR, Abang hopes to share her story of hope through adversity with others facing the trauma of displacement and war. “I am using my voice to spread the message of hope,” she says. “Hope can be held, shaped and carried, one bucket at a time.”  To discover more of Abang’s story, click here. 

Thank you to all who attended, who purchased her signed book and for all the spirit of compassion and curiosity that you brought to this event.

Dynielle Whitney
Head of Religious Education & Social Justice Coordinator