JaelStan
Elara grows up in a quiet rural village on the island of Borneo. From the outside, her home appears peaceful, surrounded by green hills, narrow roads and thick forests. But behind its walls lies a childhood filled with conflict, comparison and broken relationships.
At only four years old, Elara wakes in the middle of the night to the sound of her parents fighting. Frightened and crying, she stands between them and begs them to stop. While other children dream about toys and games, Elara dreams of something much simpler-a normal, happy family.
When she begins primary school, she hopes it will become her escape. Instead, she faces another kind of pain. Bullied because of her darker skin, pointed nose and long eyelashes, Elara slowly begins to believe that something is wrong with her.
For years, she remains silent-until one day, all the anger she has hidden finally explodes.
Elara eventually becomes the top student in her class, proving that she is more than the cruel names people have given her. But behind her achievements is a frightened girl who struggles to trust others and believe that anyone genuinely likes her.
The bullying may have stopped, but its voice remains inside her head.
Inspired by true events, A Childhood Among Broken Things is a story of pain, survival and a young girl's journey towards healing.
Some homes shelter you. Others teach you how to survive.