Hip Hop & Hope: One Woman’s Journey in the Slums of Cambodia is a beautifully crafted and inspirational narrative that details Romi Grossberg’s real life experiences. It’s about finding hope, resilience, trust and friendship in the face of adversity while working with street kids in the slums of Cambodia from 2010 to 2012.
Romi left Australia to begin a two-year contract in Phnom Penh as manager of Tiny Toones, a non-government drop-in youth centre. It engaged hip-hop culture as a means of educating and fostering empowerment in disadvantaged, impoverished young people.
As Cambodia was still struggling from the pervasive after-effects of the genocide of nearly 2 million citizens by the Khmer Rouge in 1975-1979, Tiny Toones gave hope for the future to those living in survival mode. It offered a safe environment to follow a different life path from the world of drugs, sex and violence.
Romi entered a transformative journey as she became accustomed to this new lifestyle. It was a journey that began as an anxious outsider and ended with her becoming a much-loved “mum” to the young ones she mentored.
She learned to speak Khmer, respected Cambodian customs and threw herself wholeheartedly into the dance moves. When faced with adversity, resilience and love were the overriding forces that held the troupe together. Just LOVE HIM was her mantra, and Romi did indeed come to love all her ‘babies.”
Through her descriptive writing, Romi shares in incredible detail, the Khmer culture with its richly woven tapestry of tradition, spiritual beliefs and history. In fact, the reader is transported to the very heart and soul of Phnom Penh. We come to know the real-life characters, their pain, disappointments, sorrows and struggle against their addiction to the path they want to leave behind. We cry with them, we feel joy in their achievements and honour the bonds which are forged forever.
Eventually, through Romi’s hard work and dedication the hip hop group has become well known as they have showcased their talents internationally, including Australia. So, overall, this is a beautiful and inspiring story, easy to read, emotional, uplifting, and what more can I say — it’s definitely worth your time.
Romi is currently touring Australia. For details visit: https://www.romigrossberg.com/books-memoirs/hip-hop-hope/
A selection of our Beauty and Lace Club members are reading Hip Hop and Hope by Romi Grossberg. You can read their comments below or leave your own review.
Hip Hop & Hope by Romi Grossberg
5/5 Stars
Hip Hop &Hope is an extraordinary blend of inspiration and resilience by the kids from all sorts of backgrounds.
A beautiful written memoir about Romi Grossberg on an adventure of a lifetime at 35 she decides to give up her job as a social worker and head to the slums of Cambodia for a 2 year contract working with children of all ages in a hip hop youth centre .
It’s hot and humid with no aircon just fans .
Tiny Toones is the only hip hop centre in Cambodia and is a safe place for kids to come and get out of the gangs where they can safely learn and have fun.
Hip Hop Hope will make you laugh and cry as Romi brings this thought provoking book to life .
This book is a must read for any age and any one wanting inspiration.
WOW…. what an amazing life Romi Grossberg has had so far.
I delighted in the story of her time in Cambodia working for Tiny Toones. I became attached through her words to the children and teens at the center and like Romi I wanted so badly for them all to feel loved and valued. There were times while reading that I found I had a tear running down my cheek.
I was inspired enough that I searched for her Tedx talk and saw her and the kids in action which was awesome.
This is a book that is inspiring and prrof that if you wirk hard enough towards a goal you can make it happen.
The kids were lucky to have Romi but Romi was so very lucky to have them also.
This is a book that I will pass on to my daughters and its a book that YOU should invest in. 50% of the profits will go to Tiny Toones and they are so very worth it.
I dare you to read this book and say that you are not inspired and longing to make some sort of donation to further their cause.