Mom's Tree House

I just finished reading Little Princes from Conor Grennan and all I could really say is “Wow!” This book blew me away, taking me on a trip I did not expect. I did not know what to expect from this book but now, I am so grateful that I read it  as it proved that there are some people out in this world that would go way beyond their limits simply make a difference in the world and in some one’s life.

 Little princes is a story of a man who goes to Nepal to volunteer at a children’s orphanage and finds his true calling, making the children of Nepal his life’s work. At first, when we meet the author Conor Grennan, he appears to be a young, immature and selfish, as he admits that his volunteer work at nepal will be impressive on his resume and in bar conversations but then, something in him changes.

Conor not only falls in love with children of Nepal but he also learns that the children may in fact not be true orphans. Conor learns that the civil war gave way to child traffickers, and that these children were being taken from the homes into slavery with their families believing they were being taken into safety as well as  to obtain an education. As Conor learns, these families are poor but risk all that they have for the sake of their children and Conor soon realizes that the families were taken advantage of and lied to, children were taken into extreme abusive situations, and the children of Nepal were totally displaced. 

 The story between Conor, those that help him and the children are amazing and I couldn’t put this book down.  I wanted to know exactly how Conor would help these children.   Would he find the children still missing through out Nepal? Would he find their parents? Will they be reunited? The he meets Liz through the Internet, the woman that would become his wife. While out searching for some of the children’s families, he gets stranded days before he is to meet Liz in person, will he make it?

 Conor also starts a non-profit organization, Next Generation Nepal to help these children by opening a new home, an organization he still runs today.

The book itself is an easy read with a personal voice as Conor puts down on paper his thoughts, insecurities, doubts and determination. I loved this book, when I finished it I just hugged it! Yes, I’m a little crazy that way. I love the fact that this book educates us, as readers, the devastation of war,  the struggle of surviving and living a life with faith and hope. This book simply feeds your soul.  The children will inspire you and Conor will make you believe that one man can make a difference in the world.

About Next Generation Nepal

NGN’s Mission
Next Generation Nepal preserves family unity and strengthens communities by reconnecting trafficked children with their parents and culture in post-conflict Nepal by:

• Searching remote regions to find families of children who were taken by child traffickers with false promises of safety and education.
• Reconnecting these children with their families by facilitating regular communications and visits.
• Caring for children in transitional homes that offer safety and security during the reconnection process.
• Strengthening local communities to support the safe reunification of children with their families whenever possible, in partnership with local and international organizations.
   

NGN’s Vision
A future Nepal free from the threat of child trafficking and strengthened by thriving agricultural communities populated by generations of children living together with their families in strong, safe communities that provide the care, education and life skills necessary for a productive life in rural Nepal.

You can purchase Little Princes at Amazon or other local bookstores. A portion of your “Little Princes” purchase goes to Next Generation Nepal. By visiting the Next Generation Nepal  website, you will find other ways in where you, yourself can help these children from either volunteering abroad to bringing awareness from your own home here in the U.S., Next generation Nepal will help you figure which way to help is best for you..

About the Author

Conor Grennan, author of the memoir LITTLE PRINCES, spent eight years at the EastWest Institute (EWI), both in Prague and the EU Office in Brussels, where he served as Deputy Director for the Security and Governance Program.

At the East/West Institute, Conor developed and managed a wide variety of projects focusing on issues such as peace and reconciliation in the Balkans, community development in Central Eastern Europe, and harmonizing anti-trafficking policy at the highest levels government in the European Union and the former Yugoslavia.

Conor left EWI in 2004 to travel the world and volunteer in Nepal. He would eventually return to Nepal and found Next Generation Nepal, an organization dedicated to reconnecting trafficked children with their families and combating the root causes of child trafficking in rural villages in Nepal. He was based in the capital of Kathmandu until September 2007 where he was the Executive Director of Next Generation Nepal.

Conor now serves on the Board of Next Generation Nepal, together with his wife, Liz. He is a 2010 graduate of the NYU Stern School of Business, where he was the President of the Student Body. He lives in Connecticut with his wife and son, Finn, and a soon-to-be baby girl.

 Disclosure: I received a  copy of this book from FSB Media in exchange for my review.   No other compensation was received.  All opinions are 100% my own and may differ from others. 

3 Responses to “Little Princes By: Conor Grennan”