Title: I Miss
the Rain in Africa: Peace Corps as a Third Act
Author: Nancy Wesson
Publisher: Modern History Press
Publisher Website Address: www.ModernHistoryPress.com
Publisher Email Address: info@ModernHistoryPress.com
ISBN-10: 1615995757
ISBN-13: 978-1615995752
ASIN: B0949MFWP6
Page Count: 296 pages
Formats (P.B., H.C., Kindle)
Price: $24.95 Paperback, $37.95 Hardcover, $7.95 Kindle
Discussion and Book Review by Carolyn Wilhelm
This book is a marathon of learning about northern Uganda, the Peace Corps there, and the many difficulties Wesson experienced along the way to her ultimately successful projects to help the population. Some books leave us exhausted and perhaps depressed at the end, but this author manages to shine a light on the positive aspects of her experiences in Africa. She does still miss the rain.
Discussion questions for book clubs and secondary teachers1. Why did Wesson end up in Uganda? Where was she supposed to go at first? Do you think she realized how Peace Corps Volunteers would be housed? What is the name of chapter one, and why?2. How did the most recent war led by Kony leave the citizens with almost insurmountable problems? What were his weapons? Where is he now? Can you imagine living through such an ordeal?3. Given the situation of most of the people in northern Uganda, how do you think the Peace Corps Volunteers felt about how effective they could be at first? How did Wesson's thoughts change near the end of the book as she reflected on her projects?4. Explain travel difficulties from the point of view of a Westerner in Uganda.5. Why was the southern part of Uganda so different from the north?6. Of the 46 volunteers, 34 remained after about a year. What do you think caused some people to leave? Was it understandable or not?7. How did the pillowcases project begin and develop? Did it surprise you that Wesson had to design her projects, such as the children's library? Were you expecting the Peace Corps would have had job descriptions and just sent people to locations to fit into predetermined roles?8. How was time different in Africa? How were schedules for travel different?9. Discuss the story Wesson shared about getting dental help, traveling in the mud and dark on the way to and from the bus station.10. Why was returning home also a challenge? How had things changed? How had the author changed?
Carolyn Wilhelm is a veteran educator and author. She contributes study guides for books and film to this blog frequently. She says, "We hope you like our discussion questions! We have others found by checking this link. Thank you for reading, Carolyn"
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