We Are One Village

 We Are One Village

Reviewed By  Janet Mawdesley       November 26, 2014

 

Author  Nikki Lovell

Distributor:     
ISBN:                 9781742378367
Publisher:         Allen & Unwin
Release Date:    

Website:    http://www.allenandunwin.com 

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This story is one girl’s experience of living in an African community and the deep impact it has and continues to have on her life. In some ways it is also a coming of age for the author and a time that gave her a greater understanding of herself.

 

In some parts we see clearly a very teen perspective of the experience as the author was only just 18 when she 1st travelled to the small Ugandan village of Namwendwa. It is also possible to see what she valued and how this changed over time.

 

What’s the story behind the story? It does feel like there are gaps that have been missed out and the deep connection the author feels for various members of the community appear to come out of nowhere as we aren’t always privy to those relationships based on how much time wasn’t dedicated to these people and experiences in the book.

 

 It is easy to read, it is a true story; in as much as the author is willing to share, and it highlights life in one African community and how one Australian organisation is partnering with the village to bring change.

 

Whilst it will not tug at the heartstrings it is no less important to have attention drawn to other cultures and societies where just being alive is the gift owing to exceptional issues related to health (HIV/AIDS) basic hygiene, education (if you are the wrong gender), subsistence living or poverty.

Is the book only a revisiting and slight polishing of the authors diary notes given these experiences take place from the end of 2004 to early 2007? This may well be the case as the style of writing is choppy at times and the authors’ way of her expressing herself changes over the course of the book.

Biographies, Non Fiction