CARE in Africa

by: Jennifer Kumar

I picked up Bill Bryson's African Diary in the library and recently read it. It's a one hour read (I read slow, though) of about 50 entertaining, heartfelt, intensely emotional, suspenseful pages.

Bill, the Hanover, New Hampshire native, travelled to Kenya to travel far and wide on behalf of Care International to learn about the efforts of CARE in Kenya. He went to Nairobi slums, Mombasa beaches, Gedi ruins of Muslim traders of the past, a secluded desert refugee camp and before leaving, a short safari full of color and wild animals.

Since I spent two years in India, traversing Chennai slums helping residents through Udavi, Asha Nivas and World Vision, many of Bill's descriptions of Nairobi slums ignited memories. Mostly, the intense balance between disparity and hope has influenced me intently. It was the raw humanity of the situation that would affect anyone who experiences these settings. Despite the physical conditions of these places, the people have amazing resolve and always greet you with a smile!

If you decide to buy this book, it seems that the entire profit will go to CARE to help the Kenyans gain a better life.

Thanks for doing what you did Bill, and sharing it with the world!

Read two case studies of clients I worked with in India:
Thenmuzhi, The Sweet Language of a Tragic Situation
Thirumani: Changing the life tune of a great bell