Amanda Lindhout

I would like to especially acknowledge my home community of Calgary, and the people of central Alberta who made my dream of freedom a reality. ”

Hamdi Ulukaya and Chobani have made the decision to feed 250,000 victims of the Somali famine. Their compassion speaks for itself, and is a shining example of how the business community can have an enormous positive impact on the world. ”

What a woman is taught, she shares with her family. ”

My faith in human decency was sorely tested at times during my captivity; however, after my release, I am humbly reminded that mankind is inherently good by the tremendous efforts and support of fellow Canadians. ”

My confidence came from the way I grew up, and I'm grateful for it. ”

I have watched lives change. I have seen women gain confidence. ”

Christmas was the one time of year when my brothers surfaced at home, when my parents and grandparents congregated to eat my mother's roast turkey. ”

The road to recovery will not always be easy, but I will take it one day at a time, focusing on the moments I've dreamed about for so long. ”

The big-time journalists generally had kidnapping insurance through their news organizations. Usually, it would pay for a crisis response company to help negotiate for a hostage's release. Freelancers most often had none. ”

Going into Somalia, I didn't anticipate how many people's lives would be affected by it. In hindsight, I certainly wish I had taken more time to think about that, but I can't change it. ”