Bridge Across My Sorrows

Christina Noble's story is one of bravery and resilience in the face of deprivation and abuse on a scale that most would find unimaginable.

Her childhood in the Dublin slums barely merits the name: after the early death of her mother, her family was split apart, her alcoholic father unable to care for his children. Christina was sexually abused and later escaped from an orphanage to live in poverty on the streets of Dublin. Subjected to domestic violence at the hands of her husband, in a dream she found the will to fight. Christina's hope lay in a determination to work among the bui doi, the street children of Vietnam, and this was the starting point for the most extraordinary part of her story. Within two years of arriving in Ho Chi Minh City she had opened a medical and social centre and achieved worldwide fame.

“An extraordinarily moving story . . . both heart-rending and inspirational - Cameron Mackintosh Christina Noble's story is heartbreaking but finally inspiring because of her indomitable courage in the face of violence, neglect and abuse. Her spirit blazes across the page in this unforgettable book - Sinead Cusack We see a human spirit of shining dignity, courage and resilience - it is not a surprise when she ultimately turns her life into a magnificent act of love and generosity - Mia Farrow This is an amazing story - stiff with horror yet glimmering with humanity - Claire Rayner Christina Noble's account of her childhood is shattering and inspiring, a record of grief and courage that would wring a tear from a stone - the author's integrity burns white-hot on the page. No one could invent these details, few could survive them - Dervla Murphy”

An extraordinarily moving story . . . both heart-rending and inspirational - Cameron Mackintosh

Christina Noble's story is heartbreaking but finally inspiring because of her indomitable courage in the face of violence, neglect and abuse. Her spirit blazes across the page in this unforgettable book - Sinead Cusack

We see a human spirit of shining dignity, courage and resilience - it is not a surprise when she ultimately turns her life into a magnificent act of love and generosity - Mia Farrow

This is an amazing story - stiff with horror yet glimmering with humanity - Claire Rayner

Christina Noble's account of her childhood is shattering and inspiring, a record of grief and courage that would wring a tear from a stone - the author's integrity burns white-hot on the page. No one could invent these details, few could survive them - Dervla Murphy

Christina Noble was born in the slums of Dublin. At the age of ten her mother died and her alcoholic father could no longer care for her or her siblings. In the years that followed she suffered physical, emotional and sexual abuse in orphanages and on the streets, and after her marriage she was the victim of domestic violence. One night in 1971 she had a dream about the street children of Vietnam and decided to make it reality. In 1989 she set up the Christina Noble Children's Foundation in Ho Chi Minh city and in 1997 she expanded it to Mongolia. To this day she continues to devote her life to improving the lives of the street children.

Christina Noble's story is one of bravery and resilience in the face of deprivation and abuse on a scale that most would find unimaginable. Her childhood in the Dublin slums barely merits the name: after the early death of her mother, her family was split apart, her alcoholic father unable to care for his children. Christina was sexually abused and later escaped from an orphanage to live in poverty on the streets of Dublin. Subjected to domestic violence at the hands of her husband, in a dream she found the will to fight. Christina's hope lay in a determination to work among the bui doi, the street children of Vietnam, and this was the starting point for the most extraordinary part of her story. Within two years of arriving in Ho Chi Minh City she had opened a medical and social centre and achieved worldwide fame.

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