Amy Robach is in Nigeria today to interview Malala Yousafzai as she lends her voice to the cause of bringing back the 223 young girls kidnapped by Boko Haram in Nigeria more than three months ago. The interview coincides with Malala’s 17th birthday and Malala Day, which is celebrated around the world today.
The assignment is also Robach’s first major trip since she completed eight rounds of chemotherapy for breast cancer in April. In addition to a one-on-one interview with Malala, Robach covered a meeting between Malala and parents of the missing girls, many of whom traveled 15 hours to meet with her in northern Nigeria.
“Physically, I am feeling great, but this is an emotionally taxing assignment,” Robach tells TVNewser. “Today I watched courageous fathers, who traveled for hours through dangerous territory to be here, cry as they spoke to Malala about their missing daughters. There was not a dry eye in the room.”
Robach also sat down with five of the girls who escaped from Boko Haram and are now lending their voices to the cause.
“It was incredible to hear their first hand account of the terror they experienced and the fear that continues to paralyze their people. Their schools have been burned, their friends are still missing and yet despite it all, they still have hope,” Robach says.
Malala’s efforts to keep hope alive are marked today with the launch of a new social media initiative, #strongerthan, encouraging people to share challenges they have and will overcome. In Robach’s case, the initiative resonates on many levels.
On this Malala day @MalalaFund I am stronger than fear, stronger than hate, stronger than cancer! #StrongerThan
— Amy Robach (@arobach) July 14, 2014
Watch Robach’s report below: