Description
Book SynopsisBorn in Hong Kong to unwed parents, Stephanie Chitpin was transported illegally to the Island of Mauritius by Ah Pak, the head nun of a Buddhist temple with the help of Mr. Chui, a benevolent Chinese businessman. Ah Pak raised her as an orphan ward of the temple, Fook Soo Am, known as the Pagoda. Encouraged by Mr. Chui and in spite of Ah Pak's opposition, she did very well at school. The scars incurred by classmates' name calling bastard, and more the shame of being an orphan raised in a temple, tragic deaths, and other obstacles did not prevent her from pursuing her education and finishing high school at the age of 16. Although Ah Pak had other plans for her, Mr. Chui stood by her with diplomacy and tact throughout her school years and onto university in Canada on a scholarship.
Keep My Memory Safe poetically chronicles life in the temple and in Mauritius, and the move to Canada. This immigration story is totally unique as no other orphaned temple nuns are known to have gone on to acquire a topnotch education and become academics.
Trade ReviewThis inspiring story of courage and determination chronicles Stephanie’s quest for a better education and a better life in the face of adversity . . . . vivid and moving . . .”—Laura Patterson.
Table of Contents
- Prologue
- Chapter 1: One Child
- Chapter 2: The Pagoda
- Chapter 3: Ah Pak
- Chapter 4: Koung Koung and Others
- Chapter 5: School!
- Chapter 6: The Chui Family
- Chapter 7: Bois Chri
- Chapter 8: Life After High School
- Chapter 9: My First Internship
- Chapter 10: My First Friend
- Chapter 11: Leaving Mauritius
- Chapter 12: Beginnings in Canada
- Chapter 13: Reuniting
- Chapter 14: Premature
- Chapter 15: A Dream Epilogue: The Return
- Acknowledgements
