Dr Helen Liebling

An intriguing and worthwhile view into the life of a feminist researcher who had to overcome her own difficulties in life and used her learned experiences to become an advocate for others. Dr Liebling (Nalule) chronicles her own upbringing and the experiences which led to her studies in gender, health, and clinical psychology and ultimately what led her to her chosen field to work with those who have experienced a level of emotional trauma which few in this world have endured. Dr Liebling outlines how, in her quest for justice, her passion for world (and particularly African) music developed and how, this and traditional- perspectives are important to the African people in storytelling and chronicling their past as part of a collective and cultural-based means of healing from the most terrible of atrocities and hardship whilst drawing on their own resilience. With delightful and funny stories of her travel experiences, Dr Liebling tells us how her love for Africa, her people, traditional music, wild swimming, and travel have developed and that not even how an unsightly experience with a snake in close quarters (i.e., a toilet!) got in her way! Her persistence in the devotion she has, to support, validate and empower others is evident to see whilst also recounting humorous stories including one of a chicken! Dr Liebling talks about her travels and how her work has taken her to some of the remote, exotic and the most beautiful places in the world including African deserts, mountains, and waterfalls. Dr Liebling describes her ongoing fight for justice, human-rights, and the need for support for conflict survivors of sexual and gender-based violence and torture continues and how she came to devote her career to validate and build the collective resilience of those she works with.

Nalule's Travels and Adventures: Writing for Survivors in Africa is a work of non-fiction in the autobiography, culture, and activism subgenres. It is best suited to an adult reading audience owing to the discussion of survivors of gender-based violence. Penned by author Dr Helen Liebling, this captivating autobiography chronicles the incredible work of a feminist, activist, and researcher who has dedicated her life to advocating for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and torture in conflict zones. Through vivid storytelling, Liebling takes readers on a musical trip to Uganda, where her love for Africa, its people, and traditional music blossomed. Author Dr Helen Liebling has crafted an accomplished and enjoyable work that offers a captivating narrative of hardship, resilience, and triumph against the odds, told with passion and clarity by a woman who never gave up on her mission to advocate for survivors. The narrative is filled with enchanting anecdotes, and it’s clear in every sentence that there is a wealth of warmth and love behind the storytelling. However, Liebling strikes a great balance and never lets sentiment overtake structure or the deeper meaning of activism underlying the work as a whole. I was really impressed by the confidence with which Liebling tackles such harrowing subjects alongside bringing to life the utter joy of discovering other cultures and fully embracing their beauty without the need for comparison or conquest. Overall, Nalule's Travels and Adventures is a must-read for anyone interested in stepping outside their Westernized bubble to explore the rest of the world through the eyes of a deeply caring and passionate individual.