Buckets of Hope is the story of Abang Anade Othow, who became a child refugee after being separated from her parents and siblings at the age of five.

Enduring profound loss, displacement and trauma, her body and mind began to shut down, as she travelled from her war-torn homeland to refugee camps in Ethiopia and Kenya. With the memory of her loved ones’ faces fading, she became mute. Until a vivid memory unexpectedly helped her turn pain into purpose.  

A recollection of the brightly coloured buckets that the women in her family had used to carry food and water sparked a visualisation technique Abang would later call ‘Buckets of Hope’. This practice became her way of surviving, and ultimately a method for helping others heal, inspiring individuals and communities around the world.

Abang talks with Dr Rachael Jacobs about her poignant memoir, overcoming adversity, emotional growth, resilience and creating a life of purpose to become an internationally recognised educator, speaker and leader.

Abang Anade Othow is an internationally recognised educator, speaker, writer and leader whose work blends storytelling, education, psychology, and social impact. She is the visionary founder of Buckets of Hope, a transformative visual and emotional wellbeing framework that uses colour, storytelling and mindfulness to help individuals and communities rise from survival to thriving. She serves as Deputy Chair of the Asylum Seekers Centre. A survivor of civil wars, who rebuilt her life through education and resilience, Abang now works with communities, corporations and schools to cultivate emotional literacy, courage and collective wellbeing.

Rachael Jacobs is an Associate Professor of Arts Education at Western Sydney University. Working in teacher education programs, her research focuses on arts education for racial and social justice. She has authored reports on arts education for the United Nations, and the OECD and partnered with education departments around the world to develop racial justice initiatives.

Rachael facilitates art projects in community settings all over Australia, mostly working in migrant and refugee communities. She is also a community activist, aerial artist, South Asian choreographer and runs her own intercultural dance company. 

This Bondi Books & Ideas Weekend event is presented by Waverley Council, with support from Gertrude & Alice Bookstore. With thanks to Harper Collins.