In an amazing stroke of luck, Abdi won entrance to the U.S. in the annual visa lottery. Parts of his story were first heard on the BBC World Service and This American Life. He has contributed to Refugees International, American Public Media and been featured on CNN and in the Washington Post.

He is currently attending the University of Southern Maine as a political science major and works as an interpreter for Somali immigrants. His memoir is a vivid reminder of why western democracies still beckon to those looking to make a better life.