Hip Hop & Hope

Part memoir, part history, part travelogue, this is the inspirational story of one woman’s journey in Cambodia. When Romi Grossberg decided, at thirty-five, to give up her job as a social worker in Australia for a two-year contract in the slums of Cambodia, she could never have imagined that the experience would change her life forever. Hip Hop & Hope is part memoir, part history, part travelogue, and completely engaging. Its portrait of Phnom Penh is complicated and indelible. Its story of work in an NGO is inspirational. At this hip hop youth centre, Romi evolves from a frightened burrung to a respected manager who knows the words, the tunes, and the moves. This is the story of trust and friendship, faith, and belief in oneself even when the world is against you. NGO's founder KK, Romi, and their kids forge unbreakable bonds and eventually breakdance their way onto the TEDx stage and to sold-out performances in Australia. Hip Hop & Hope will make you laugh and cry as Romi shares with brutal honesty the highs and lows of life for the forgotten in Cambodia. 'A must read for those believing in hope and making a difference in the world we live.' PRINCESS SOMA NORODOM OF CAMBODIA 'A powerful heartfelt memoir.' AKILL TALIB of Jurassic 5 'Rich with character, incident, and insight, Hip Hop & Hope is a hugely compelling read. It made me laugh, cry, and dance as I tore through its pages.' TIM TOMLINSON, Director of New York Writers Workshop 'A delight to read, full of tragedies and triumphs that will make you cry but leave you feeling optimistic, as lived by real people you will fall in love with as you read.' J A I M E G I L L, Multi-award winning writer 'Fierce, full flight and full of love and courage... Grossberg shares their extraordinary story.' DR SALLY BREEN, Author and Associate Professor in Creative Writing, Griffith University