Where the Children Take Us: How One Family Achieved the Unimaginable

In her memoir, Zain Asher pays tribute to her mother's strength and determination in raising four successful children in the face of tragedy. Obiajulu Ejiofor, a widowed immigrant in South London, uses tough-love parenting strategies to help her children overcome poverty, crime, and prejudice. Despite facing numerous challenges, the children exceed expectations and become a CNN anchor, an Oscar-nominated actor, a doctor, and a thriving entrepreneur. The Nigerian parenting techniques that lead to the family's salvation were born in a village on the brink of war.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 28 April 2022
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

In this captivating memoir, renowned CNN anchor Zain Asher pays heartfelt tribute to her resilient mother's unwavering strength and unwavering determination in raising four successful children amidst the backdrop of tragedy.

As Obiajulu Ejiofor eagerly awaits the return of her husband and young son from a road trip, she receives devastating news. A fatal car crash has claimed the life of one of them. In her memoir, "Where the Children Take Us," Obiajulu's daughter, Zain E. Asher, shares the harrowing tale of her mother's courageous battle to raise four children as a widowed immigrant in South London. Drawing upon her tough-love parenting strategies, Obiajulu imparts valuable lessons to her sons and daughters, empowering them to navigate the daily challenges of poverty, crime, and prejudice, as well as other adversities. With unwavering support, the children surpass all expectations, achieving remarkable accomplishments such as becoming a CNN anchor, an Oscar-nominated actor (Asher's older brother is Chiwetel Ejiofor, known for his role in "12 Year A Slave"), a doctor, and a thriving entrepreneur.

The Nigerian parenting techniques that played a pivotal role in their family's salvation originate in the village where Obiajulu and Arinze first meet their country on the brink of war. In the 1970s, they emigrated to London in search of a safer and more prosperous life, only to face new challenges in the Western world.

However, when grief threatens to tear apart her fractured family following the accident, Obiajulu refuses to succumb to defeat. As her children veer down the wrong path, she instills a family book club, introducing Western literary classics to test their resolve and challenge their deeper understanding. She adorns the walls with newspaper clippings of Black success stories, fostering a sense of inspiration and motivation. Alongside running Shakespeare theatre lines with her son and completing homework into the early morning hours with Zain, she actively pursues educational endeavors. When distractions persist, she takes decisive action by cutting the TV cord and installing educational software.

Through her unwavering dedication and unwavering love, Obiajulu not only provided for her children's physical needs but also cultivated their minds and souls. Her resilience and unwavering spirit serve as a testament to the indomitable human spirit and the power of a mother's love. "Where the Children Take Us" is a poignant and inspiring memoir that showcases the remarkable journey of a mother and her children, reminding us of the strength and resilience that can be found even in the face of adversity.

Weight: 432g
Dimension: 162 x 242 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780008409425