Born in 1926, Ben Sharman grew up without a father in a working class family in the village of Burgh St. Peter, England. Despite having only an Elementary School education and going to work full time as a farm laborer at the age of fourteen, he went on to have a lengthy international career that included stints as an R.A.F. Radio Operator, Labor Representative, Peace Corp Volunteer, High School and Graduate School Teacher, Agricultural Co-Operative Innovator, U.N. Agency Official and many other roles. Given away at birth, Elizabeth Goh Sharman was raised by a saintly aunt Heok Ee. She is given the nickname "Kuttu", meaning head lice, by her great aunt, who explains the name will strengthen her to overcome her poor prospects. It seem to work leading to success on a larger stage than her rural Malaysia. A poor student at first, because of a number of “guardian angels” she learns to excel. So much so that she qualifies for a UN job fist in Kuala Lumpur then in Geneva where she meets Ben.