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| Monique and the Mango Rains By: Kris Holloway Preview Here |
The story details the Peace Corp assignment of Kris Holloway starting in 1989 when she is assigned to a small village in Mali, West Africa. It is there that she works alongside Monique, a young midwife. Kris learns first hand the cultural, financial, and physical hardships that the people, particularly the women, face in Nampossela. She works tirelessly alongside Monique who serves the mothers and children of her village and neighboring villages. In addition, she has her own family responsibilities to take care of despite the lack of support from her husband.
Parts of the book were difficult to read as the oppression of women is strong. Overall, I really enjoyed learning more about African culture. It was also enlightening to see how things slowly but surely change and grow over time. Then again, there are some things that never change. The storyline flows easily and I had a hard time putting this book down. With only 208 pages, it's a quick read too.
As a doula, I appreciated the midwifery details but this was not the main focus of the book. The heart of the book was these two women, who come from very different backgrounds, and their developing friendship that ultimately tests the limits of miles and time. This book will make you laugh and cry as you see the struggles they face to bring health and healing to the village women and, ultimately, to themselves.
It's definitely a must read for someone doing humanitarian work in Africa or for a person who loves and appreciates the determination of women and the bond that ties us together. I can see why it was recommended for me.
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