This book was required reading for my summer history course, and although I had very limited time in which to complete the reading, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it! Monique and the Mango Rains is a story of a unique friendship formed between a Peace Corps volunteer (Kriss Holloway) and a Malian midwife (Monique Dembele).

The setting, a rural village in Mali; two young women, from very different cultural backgrounds join together to improve the healthcare services within the community. The story is told through the eyes of Kriss Holloway who describes Monique as an altruistic woman, dedicated to improving the lives of the women and children in the community whom she cares for so dearly for. The bonding between the two woman deepens through shared experiences from their diverse backgrounds and experiences. I was horrified to read about a patriarchal dominated society in which female circumcision is the norm, but at the same time a little envious of the simplicity of the village life. This book transcends the reader into the lives of the African village people where survival and health often depends on the rains. Since reading this book I have so much gratitude for the simple things in life like running water, access to food, women's rights, and health care services etc. I am giving this book a 10/10 as it was an amazing read that I will recommend to anyone who wants insight into the Malian way of life.

Monique and the Mango Rains was a required reading for my bachelorette nursing program. I am not an avid reader, as I get distracted easily and lose interest. This book was easy to read, and broken up in to small sections which I liked. Knowing the stories were personal and true kept me interested in the book. The story itself, was a passionate one about the friendship that blossomed between two young women; Peace Corps. Volunteer, Kris Halloway, and Mali midwife, Monique Dembele. Kris' adventure began in Mali in 1989, and she spent each day working with Monique, until 1991. They both had a clear passion to help improve the health of the women and babies in the community. The strong friendship that formed between two people from completely different parts of life was refreshing and pure. They had a clear passion to help improve the health of the women and babies in the community. Monique proved she could handle stressful work and life situations with ease, and was an inspiration to many women. The harsh reality of the conditions women faced in Mali were agonizing to read about. This narrative is an eye-opening reminder of the many blessings we have in the United States, and all that we should be thankful for. It certainly made me appreciate the medical services we have available, but also saddened me to know of the intense lack of resources that remain in other parts of the world.

I read this book as part of an assignment for a class I am taking in college. Monique and the Mango Rains follows the story of Kris Holloway in the late 1980s into 90s while she was a volunteer for the peace corp. During this time she shadows a midwife Monique Dembele and assists this amazing woman through the many adversities she faces through the village. The story highlights the miracles and tragedies these villagers face and allow us to follow along through the experience. The book is well written, easy to read, and really immerses you into what goes in to literally keeping a village running. There are so many more examples of humanity and heroism and that so much can be done with so little. My wife had the opportunity to meet Kris Holloway while she was a women's study major in college and she told me that Ms. Holloway is everything in person that is depicted in this book. While this is not necessarily a book I would have chosen to read, I did enjoy it and would recommend it to anyone that wishes to learn more about midwifery and everything else associated with nursing and medicine in rural Africa. I give this book a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
Timothy Wrede

Monique and the mango rains is not a book that I would have selected on my own, but thankfully it was required reading for a college level course. This was an eye opening look into the experiences of a midwife in Mali and her experiences in the Peace Corps. Monique's story was heartwarming, and yet there were times that I cringed thinking of the conditions that women were giving birth in, Can you imagine going in to see a patient and seeing a scorpion moving under a rock while you are surveying the situation and condition of your patient? Although conditions are not what many would be considered ideal, Monique provided education to the women that she cared for, in a place that men made the rules. Monique handled family dynamics, in the family compounds that surrounded her, delicately with respect to the culture that surrounded her.
As a nurse, this is an excellent opportunity to gain appreciation of the journey that many of us take for granted, not knowing any differently, having grown up with the influence of western medicine. Without the influence and care provided by Monique many people would not have been given the care that "we" think everyone "deserves".

Jennifer Tomsic

I think my daughter hose this book, so I actually read it by accident. I laughed, I cried, I felt a part of Monique's family. It's a very well- written story, made even better knowing that a portion of your purchase will go to helping continue Monique's work. What an awesome tribute!