My Books

All profits go to Her International to support education scholarships

Ancre 1

The Girl on the Pink Bicycle

by Michelle Bonneau

“The Girl on the Pink Bicycle” tells my story. Each of us has a story to tell with its adventures, twists and joys. Mine is a dance of birth, death and change. It tells of people coming together.

I wrote it to give you hope that there is a simplicity underlying everything, an indisputable, eternal and indestructible energy flowing through life, even when it doesn’t seem simple at all. I know. I have personally turned from it and have come back, again and again. I marvel at how each time I have been in a desperate place, raging at my constraints, something totally unforeseen has happened. Once, an answer from God even threw me out of the door of the convent where I had spent twenty-seven years. It’s not that I didn’t belong. It’s that I belonged to more and it was time to move on.

Now, I am offering you this book, with the hope we can move on together.

Pre-order

The Story Behind the Title

The title “The Girl on the Pink Bicycle” relates to Amrita, our first 19-year-old Tharu woman, Her International hired to oversee our first 45 students. She had been rescued from bonded labor at 13 and had managed to finish her grade 10 studies. After her rescue, Amrita was instrumental in working for the abolishment of the Kamaiya System through dance and street theatre. It was a risk but her determined enthusiasm to free bonded girls assured us she was the best candidate for the care of Her International’s first 45 students.

We bought her a bicycle, phone, backpack and sneakers. Amrita insisted they all be pink. As Amrita rode away waving, I saw a young woman pedaling towards newfound freedom and an unexpected new life. Her two new wheels gave her status, well-earned, of course, but now visible to all who saw her riding from village to village. I easily identified with Amrita as she peddled away. I had a similar experience when I learned how to ride a bicycle in Kelowna. Mine was blue with large tires. The sense of freedom I felt as I practiced in a large parking lot was indescribable. I remember clearly thinking that “Finally I belong! I am like everyone now.” I had been 49 years old. Amrita had a head start!

In each one’s life there is a moment, an event or a person when we consciously realize we are worthy and make a difference in our world.

For Amrita, myself and each young Tharu girl who receives their bicycle when they reach class 7, the bicycle is one of those moments that signals that we are individuals that make a difference. The book challenges you the reader to find what moment you were conscious of your importance in your world.

Core Themes and Inspirations

World’s ordinary women

My privilege of talking and living with women of many different countries shows what we as women all have in common; strong hearts willing to risks what it takes to live as fully as possible within one’s cultural and traditional society. Many of their stories are included in my story.

Praise for
The Girl on the Pink Bicycle

“I have known Michelle for most of the last 29 years. I have had glimpses into her life story, but after reading her book all I wanted to do is learn more. That’s a great sign of good writing and a big story. An author myself, this is a must read for anyone who needs the encouragement to keep curious and moving forward to their dreams.”

Linda Edgecombe, Author and Hall of Fame Speaker, Kelowna B.C.

“This is the captivating story of a woman's search for meaning and purpose in her life. A journey around the world leads her to the rescue of hundreds of impoverished Nepali girls and women who now benefit from the education and training offered by through her foundation, Her International.”