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Monique and the Mango Rains: Two Years with a Midwife in Mali
by Kris Holloway; Consulting Editor John Bidwell

Published: 2006-07-20
Paperback : 215 pages
87 members reading this now
16 clubs reading this now
11 members have read this book
Recommended to book clubs by 5 of 5 members
What is it like to live and work in a remote corner of the world and befriend a courageous midwife who breaks traditional roles? Monique and the Mango Rains: Two Years with a Mali Midwife is the inspiring story of Monique Dembele, an accidental midwife who became a legend, and Kris ...
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Introduction

What is it like to live and work in a remote corner of the world and befriend a courageous midwife who breaks traditional roles? Monique and the Mango Rains: Two Years with a Mali Midwife is the inspiring story of Monique Dembele, an accidental midwife who became a legend, and Kris Holloway, the young Peace Corps volunteer who became her closest confidante. In a small village in Mali, West Africa, Monique saved lives and dispensed hope every day in a place where childbirth is a life-and-death matter and where many children are buried before they cut a tooth. Kris worked side-by-side with her as they cared for each other through sickness and tragedy and shared their innermost secrets and hopes.

Monique's life was representative of many women in one of the world's poorest nations, yet she faced her challenges in extraordinary ways. Despite her fiercely traditional society and her limited education she fought for her beliefs birth control, the end of female genital mutilation, the right to receive a salary, and the right to educate her daughters. And she struggled to be with the man she loved. Her story is one of tragedy joy, rebellion, and of an ancient culture in the midst of change. It is an uplifting tribute to indomitable spirits everywhere.

Monique and the Mango Rains is a fascinating voyage to an unforgettable place, a voyage spent close to the ground, immersed in village life, learning first-hand the rhythms of this world. From witnessing her first village birth to the night of Monique's own tragic death, Kris draws on her first-person experiences in Mali, her graduate studies in maternal and child health, medical and clinic records, letters and journals, as well as conversations with Monique, her family, friends and colleagues, to gives readers a unique view and a friend in West Africa.

Latest printing includes "2012 Postscript."

Not-for-sale instructor resource material available to college and university faculty only; contact the publisher directly.

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by karen m. (see profile) 04/24/20

 
  "Monique and the Mango Rains"by Kate E. (see profile) 12/30/14

Kris has a way of bringing you into the story with her as she describes her time as a Peace Corps Volunteer, our "on-the-ground" ambassadors around the world. You will fall in love with and admire Monique... (read more)

 
  "Monique and the Mango Rains: Two Years with a Midwife in Mali"by Vicki R. (see profile) 03/17/11

 
  "Monique is inspiring."by Sharon M. (see profile) 03/13/11

 
  "Magnificant Monique"by Amy C. (see profile) 08/15/10

 
  "Monique and the Mango Rains"by Krista S. (see profile) 08/31/09

 
  "Heartwarming story of a young peace corps volunteer in Mali. She assists the local midwife who also becomes a very dear friend."by Maryann G. (see profile) 12/19/08

This story is lovingly told by the peace corps volunteer. THE amazing cultural differences do not keep the two women from forming a beautiful friendship. We had a very good discussion expecially since... (read more)

 
  "A definite eye-opener. Great book as a women's read"by E T. (see profile) 06/21/08

This book was so interesting--I live in the middle class midwest in America, and it is so hard to fathom what women live like in the rest of the world.

 
  "Incredible"by LN T. (see profile) 05/21/08

Wow!! What a book!! Our book club loved it.

 
  "Excellent read, eye-opening"by Ellen t. (see profile) 05/08/08

We loved it at our club. A very different type of memoir about a friendship across cultures. HIGHLY RECOMEND

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