This is a beautiful message Thanks Helen. Her name is Yemarshet Sissay. You faced the white adult world I have hope after I read your story and thank you for giving me that hope. It moved me to learn more about you and your work. I was excitable and very much trying to be loved. You have told the painful past with no exaggeration in a painless way. I was also a Foster child I am a year older than you. Thank you for sharing your story, I really was touched but I coudnt read the rest of the story.. Thankyou. Valerie and I are from different places shes from the Caribbean and Im from Lancashire. Required fields are marked *. It provided an escape, but also demanded a response. You look so much like her. And stying so positive throughout the event. Open. All the best for the future. Lemn arrived with a cheeky little grin, just like my brother. No know will ever love you like your mama ..xx. Just read your book Why and tried to find out if you found your mother and so glad you did.l am ashamed of our care system after reading your book so glad you are now successful against all the odds. With no surrogate or birth family to turn to when he aged out of the care system, he was finally given his birth certificate, revealing the name of his mother, Yemarshet Sissay, and his own legal name, Lemn Sissay. How can we( I work for a small independent fostering agency called Amicus) book you to come and talk to our Young People here in Bristol? Happy for you both Lemn. It was from his estranged foster mother. She is an incredible and extraordinary woman. It is coincidence that whilst I was born in London in 1947 I grew up in what was then Italian Somali Land until I was 6, speaking only Swahili (no English) migrated to Australia and lived as a neglected, abused child. Your story touched me so that I felt that I so regret not having met you when you needed a friend. Thank you. Find out more, The latest offers and discount codes from popular brands on Telegraph Voucher Codes, Poet Lemn Sissay is the subject of a BBC Imagine documentary, Lemn Sissay as a child, with his foster family, The reactionary feminist who rails against progress and the pill, Glowing Still by Sara Wheeler review: funny, furious writing from the queen of intrepid travel, How the Victorians tried to cancel Britains greatest cartoonists, Poetry book of the month: The Fourth Sister by Laura Scott. I hope you know how special you are!! The legal case was settled out of court. He has a straight sexual orientation. Because, when it comesdown to it, who gives a shit whether Im chancellor of a university? Wow, so powerful. Hi Lemn. Today I listened to you telling your story on You Tube, what a beautiful person inside and out, thank you for being you and sharing your story. Thats the way things are these days. Its the same. From South Africa. Hewon the 2019 PEN Pinter Prize in June 2019. Please let me next hear about your extraordinary story is that you have someone to love and share your life with and not too late to start a family? I know a lot of social workers are reading it in England today, he says. Its why I enjoy the chaos of such a peripatetic career. I am sooooooo proud of you! For the next 24 years, he did whatever he could to get his hands on his files from the Wigan social services. Before we get to know each other Hello Lemn, this is Patricia who collected you from Belfast City airport to take you to Armagh to take part in the John O Connor Writing School & Literary Arts Festival a week ago today Many thanks for your help in navigating the route out of Belfast ! Just listened to your story on the Moth Podcast. Lemn Sissay MBE is a poet and author.Born in Wigan in 1967 to an Ethiopian mother, he was re-named 'Norman' and placed with foster parents, who later put him in care and severed contact. Your life experiences and the way you turned your adversities into strength is aptly summed in a Yoruba proverb that says Adaniloro fagbara koni meaning those who treat us with wickedness strengthens us. I remembered your search starting a long time ago now. the laboratory - open the book, open the challenge, with open eyes. It was big relief. Its like Roots lost and friendless at 18 Dear Lemn Guests are picked up by taxi, and driven to one of the swankiest venues in town. You are an amazing man and your family must be so proud of you. Your story is so inspirational and uplifting. Yes. They are people with so many prejudices stacked against them. I did not break until the Opera. I told him whatever he wants we will support; however, I will admit my mother will be so hurt and I dont want her to neglact us more because of him. I would really like to come to a Worksop that you hold. Ijust cant believe theyre doing all this so we have a happy Christmas, she says. I loved that thought and have never forgotten it. Hope you like it: Small, slight, black, surprising It wasnt as much about dragging stuff up as it was setting things in their place. But at the time, Sissay had little interest in advancing his profession or building a name as a poet. No birthdays nor Christmas, Its rare in todays society to see someone tell his story without rancour but focusing all the time on the positive or smiling at the world as you put it so beautifully. I was twenty one years old. It was a taxing legal process that ended three years later, in 2015, with an out-of-court settlement. Im happy. But that's not what transpired. It explores the painful existence that Sissay endured after that pre-teenage parting, and how poetry helped him to move beyond it, to become an MBE in 2010 and official poet of the 2012 Olympics. Loved your Desert Island Discs and Ted Talk so much, then listened to your South Bank talk on Childrens Rights. I find myself crying and laughing when listing to your talks and interviews. Lemn Sissay was grown up as an orphan in a foster care family. Lemn Sissay is a good looking man with an average build body physique. It was harder for him to achieve instant blast-off, he recalls, with audiences asking, What is this black guy doing talking about racism at a comedy gig?, Manchester was also the centre of the rave scene, but not for Sissay. Thankyou for being you, for being here at this time in our orbit Unfortunately my pleasure in reading is now diminished due to eye problems. Sissay has also set up the foundation Gold from the Stone, which is dedicated with helping children who have left the care system. My daughter has been telling me about you for a long time. I dont really connect with his attitudes now. In recent years, Morrissey has aligned himself with the far-Right For Britain party. This continued until he managed to get hold of his birth certificate, finally discovering his real name as well as that of his mother. [4] His birth father, Giddey Estifanos, was a pilot for Ethiopian Airlines, who later passed away in a plane crash in 1972. He has written a number of books and plays. Sissay was appointed as a Fellow of the Foundling Museum in 2014. For this the person to write to is Nicky Wake. you are every mothers dream son. She wrote How can I get Lemn back? In 2018, he won an apology and out-of-court settlement from Wigan council for his treatment during the years in their care. I will never forget when he phoned me to say: I found my mum! Each time I hear him recount the story of his life, in his writing or on the radio or television, it is just as painful. "To be able to call the UNDP where my mother had worked for some years and to ask her'are you my mother? Hopefully, itll be a book they reference long into the future.. Between the ages of 12 and 17, Sissay was held in a total of four children's homes. Am recently widowed and realised that Im still nursing the bruise so Im now inspired to move on and only remember the positives of a perfect marriage rather than feeling sorry for myself. I could call her up and she would still give me a smile, a Hey, are you OK?, and that was enough for me. Your desert Island interview was the best I have ever heard. I wanted to know my name. The documents, printed with the block letters of a typewriter, described Sissays personality, his actions and intentions across various stages of his youth. I am white, mid 70s woman and your story has given me a kick up the pants to get it out (lance the boil?) our school to do workshop? And unearth yesterday Sissay's television appearances include The South Bank Show and the BBC's series Grumpy Old Men. And it isntonly about the youngsters. Your triumph over adversity gives hope to so many. Im so happy you found your mother. From the start I wanted to look after him, a bit like a mother. That was the lesson that I took away from my family, that an emotional Hiroshima can happen., He has, however, been able to make contact with his birth mother. I will be looking out for you. And sing for tomorrow etc, so wish me luck in my venture. I was curious to see if you were able to meet your mother and searched the internet. My reunion with birth family has brought happiness on one side and fresh rejection on one side. Im sure I would have met him at the time, he says. However, in an interview for The Guardian in 2016, he seemed open to the possibility. I am have learnt a lot from you. you exhibit. He received a full apology. One was called She Read As She Cradled, a lovely poem about a mother. The initiative, part of the university's school of law's Black Lawyers Matter project, was created after it was found that "out of some 1,200 undergraduates, only 14 UK-based Black males of African and Caribbean heritage were registered on law and criminology courses, and of these none were from lower socio-economic backgrounds". Manchester uni are lucky to have you. I get so irritated when I hear people saying to children in care: Why dont you become a social worker when you grow up, so you can change things? How little imagination do these people have? I found her in West Africa. I saw your documentary yesterday on BBC One. It would take him four years to track her down. Before we get to know each other I have just read your book My Name is Why and have to let you know how He said he would never do that until he had found his birth family: but in his late 20s he did, and he is now in touch with his mother, who lives in New York. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); One Extraordinary Woman in My World Now: Yemarshet Sissay. His Instagram account is @sissaylemn and has 14.9K followers. Lemn Sissay was born on 21 May, 1967 in Higher End, Orrell, United Kingdom, is an Author, broadcaster. It doesnt change. It gripped me and I was keen to see a picture of you and your mother, thank you for sharing. He is a patron of the Letterbox Club in the British Council, supporting children in care. Open the dawn in the open sky From his sorrows, he forges beautiful words and a thousand reasons to live and love. Open all defences, ask: What were these closed for? It was the start of an illustrious career which has documented his search for identity and the abuse he suffered during 18 years in the care system. Sissay was the official poet of the 2012 London Olympics, has been chancellor of the University of Manchester since 2015, and joined the Foundling Museum's board of trustees two years later, having previously been appointed one of the museum's fellows. Each time we meet up its like no time has passed. Steph thanks. How and why does he do it? [32], Sissay was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2021 Birthday Honours for services to literature and charity. They are not in contact, he adds, sadly. My mother was stolen from her mother in 1948 by righteous social workers. Terrible. Also learn how He earned most of networth at the age of 53 years old? Poet Lemn Sissay talks to Chris Harvey about surviving rejection from his foster family. May I wish you a wonderful life. When I was younger, I probably wasnt the easiest person to connect with, but there were people who had a depth to them and could absorb it, and Val was one of them. So yes, he says, he would love to settle down with someone; he would love children. He had a tough childhood like you(though not comparable ) and despite his difficult journey in life, he has become one of the kindest and loveliest people I have ever known. With no surrogate family or birth family, upon leaving the care system he was given his birth certificate, showing the name of his mother, Yemarshet Sissay, and his own legal name, Lemn Sissay. I don't want him to face discrimination." Lemn had just left care. It was easy to see this as the beginning of a promising career. As the UK went into lockdown, he tells me: She called me just to make sure I was OK which I really loved., Theres an exuberant warmth to Sissay, which can be found in his poetry. Hi Lemn just heard you on DID I m breathless! It would later be the focus of a major investigation into physical and sexual abuse. At the same time, I also managed to get hold of my mothers letters pleading to take me back only months after I was born, Sissay says. We are still crazy together. It is scandalous that a prime minister should have to admit, as David Cameron did last autumn, that the care system 'shames our country' and that Ofsted should report that there are more councils judged as 'inadequate' than 'good' for their childrens services. Seemingly addressed to a new lover, the poem describes a loveless childhood without family contacts and celebrations. Sissay was made an Honorary Doctor of Letters by the University of Huddersfield in 2009 and was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2010 New Year Honours. This is the secret of your success.Continue to be STRONG On the other hand, he now knows what matters. I just keep struggling to act appropriately, feel uninhibitedly, and talk to everyone kindly, including strangers, through all our stages of life. You will always be welcome, Cead mile failte.Patricia. Who did they go to, what did they read, whom did they worship, what pictures did they see in their dreamsI want to apologise to you to God to all the children. However brilliant your relationship with your social worker is, for them its a job. He holds an English nationality and belongs to Black ethnicity. Lemn Sissay's net worth Blessings and Love. I do love her and have no anger towards her. This is what you are doing by writing it down. Sign up to our Inside Saturday newsletter for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of the magazines biggest features, as well as a curated list of our weekly highlights. I was very moved. Thank you for being so authentic, you have no idea how refreshing it is to me. But Ive realised there are solid people who remained consistent throughout. So lovely that you remember that. We dont walk around saying: Im breathing. But take your breath away, and you soon realise that youre utterly dependent on it and thats the closest I can get to describing what a family does for you. [24], In the same year, he staged a one-off show, entitled The Report, based on a psychologist's report about Sissay's early life and how it affected him. On returning to Ethiopia she married a vice minister under Emperor Haile Selassie (1969) but had to flee when the revolution overthrew the Emperor in the early seventies. Since the show, I have read up on you. While I didnt know my biological family, I knew my parents and brothers and sister must have been of colour. Two thirds through, you smiled and said now can we begin the interview? Despite the ill-conceived interview it did introduce me to you and your work. I want to be there.. And your mothers smile is lovely. No telephone calls. From the programme I believe you have the capacity to be a wonderful partner to someone. Lemn Sissay was born in the village of Billinge, near Wigan, in 1967 to an Ethiopian mother. All the best Lemn. [10] When he was 18 years old, he moved from Atherton to the city of Manchester. But you only have to look at Megans face to see how much it means. Hes on the Booker Prize judging panel this year and has read 146 novels in 160 days, he tells me, punctuated by the occasional walk on Hackney marshes, including one with his friend, Angels in America actress Denise Gough. I heard you on Desert Island Discs and found you funny, thoughtful and moving. Thankyou for writing and sharing it all. They were white, working-class people with aspirations: the husband a teacher, the wife a nurse. I entered the world of poetry very late in life but it doesnt matter as long as people like you inhabit it. Despite not understanding a word, it broke into my soul and I was in floods of tears. Patricia, Your kind words are much appreciated. I listened about story on the radio in Addis Ababa. Im an adult social worker and always say I could never work in childrens services ..but there are parallels in attitudes. He says hes been counting up the hours since he last had a cigarette. Lemn Sissay is considered one of the most talented English writers. Lemn, I met you at a poetry night you gave years ago at a High School in Mytholmroyd. I hope you telling your story makes a difference I truly do, but honestly I think that area of work is riddled with righteous people. How could I pretend that this poetry, or this becoming well-known meant anything if the person who wrote it didnt know who they belong to?. He took up his new role on 1 August, with an installation ceremony held on Foundation Day at the university on 14 October 2015,[18] at which he said: "Reach for the top of the tree and you may get to the first branch but reach for the stars and you'll get to the top of the tree. We have estimated Hi Lemn When youre in care youre acutely aware of how youre not love or pleasure for anyone youre an obligation. Later that year he became the patron of theatre company 20 Stories High, based in Toxteth, Liverpool, which creates diverse theatre including beatboxing, singing, puppetry and other media. Sissay's television appearances include The South Bank Show and the BBC's series Grumpy Old Men. I worked at a prison in the Education Dept. I had never been aware of your work before today. He's talked before about a later meeting, but this first reunion, on London's South. Of course, Sissay knows that one lunch, provided by one set of volunteers, shared by one group of care leavers, cant provide everything that a family get-together does. Greater existential concerns were troubling him. In other words the last time she saw him was at my conception a shock for her. Who were you you asked but one thing you knew you were a poet It was from eighteen years earlier. I was trusting myself to tell my story. There is no voice for this group of children. You are so inspirational and that is enough to turn a Young Persons life around. How dare they! As a radio broadcaster he makes documentaries for the BBC. He was born in 1967 in Wigan. Carole, my book exposes a system which devalues the greatest asset to any generation the next one. Sissay joined the Foundling Museum's board of trustees in April 2017. Wow, did not know the UK had that type of foster care system, taking away your and your mothers rights to have you and raise you as a family. Totally aware, hypersensitive, neurotic, worried, unable to sleep at night, I moved in with friends of our family; by age 15 my name was changed from Wendy Kay MacPherson to Wendy Kay Olsen, reflecting their heritage. Been many times. The villages of Lancashire are all monocultural. I saw your baby picture..what drives people to be so careless with children and see themselves, their own selves righteous in the the eyes of God. Everybody deserves forgiveness. If you had gone to my 17-year-old self and said: 'In 2021 the Queen's going to give you [an honour], I would have said: 'No way.' [3][5][6][7] His strongly religious foster parents wanted to name him Mark after the Christian evangelist Mark and give him their surname, Greenwood. Lemn Sissay is an English author and broadcaster and also a poet. He stands approximately between 5 ft 5 inches-5 ft 6 inches and weighs 61 kg. It is his Christmas present to hundreds of young people who, like him, have never had a family to be with at this time of the year. One Love x. Care is a one-word oxymoron, he says, a flash of anger in his face. Photograph: Tom Pilston/The Guardian Family Interview Lemn Sissay: 'Everything in life is connected, and. I am known to my own people anywhere in the world. His mother, fearing that she did not have the necessary resources to care for him, gave Sissay as a baby to social services with the intent of taking him back once she was able to care for her child. I remember it well. I was a prime target for a local paedophile who I now realise saw the neglect and abuse and moved in on me (nowadays called grooming) Anyway today is the first day . Thank you for your poetry, your example and your kindness to other people. He is furious, not only for himself but for the hundreds of thousands like him, kids who grew up in this misnomer of asystem. 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