Farida: The Girl Who Beat ISIS

·

It's the Summer of 2014 and in between football games with her brothers, Farida studies on her rooftop. From her perch, she sees the first tracer fire. Her father, an optimistic veteran of the Iraqi Army quells concerns. They are safe. They've always been safe. Then everything changes. On August 3rd, 2014, ISIS arrives. In one day, they slaughter thousands of men and boys, and sell the girls and their mothers into slavery. Farida and her family cannot escape. Farida wakes in a school bus full of her classmates. The only light she can see is Evin- her best friend asleep beside her. From their first moments of captivity, Farida is desperate to escape while Evin fears Farida's reckless rebellion will get them killed. Inside a warehouse full of girls shackled like cattle, Farida stares down an interested buyer. He looks her over, then shoves his fingers into her mouth to inspects her teeth. She snaps.