Turns out that this book was written to raise money for and bring attention to the relief organization CARE International.

CARE's objective is to fight international poverty by teaching individuals and villages how to care for themselves.

In one case, Bill shares how CARE arranged for several agriculturists to meet with a local farmer and teach him how to diversify his farm and increase his yield. This farmer has succeeded, and although he may never become rich according to our standards, he is now able to provide for his family and buy school uniforms for his children.

In another instance, CARE helped a community dig a well. Previously, women had to make a seven-hour journey round-trip each morning to fetch water for their families.

I will never cease to be thankful for the luxuries we possess in America!!

And now back to Bill Bryson, who is a world-renowned author of books on language and travel. Bill's African Diary is very short (only 49 pages in length) and only covers a span of one week. He offers some light-hearted stories about car-jackings, "flying toilets," and children who come up to cars and rub balls of human excrement in the face of the driver.

Most of his diary; however, is focused on the efforts of CARE International and the millions of refugees that they help each year. The stories he shares puts a face on each of these poverty-stricken individuals. He shares their differences, as well their similarities, in a compassionate voice.

I ordered this book through one of my book clubs and was pleasantly surprised to find that I was actually donating my money to CARE International. All profits and royalties are being donated to this organization. After reading Bill's book, I am certain it has gone to a good cause. For more information on CARE, you can access their homepage at www.care.org.

While disappointed in the length of this volume, I must conclude that it was well worth the read. The colorful photographs inside only add to Bill's descriptive approach. After reading his African Diary, I am anxious to pick up his other books which include:

The Lost Continent

Mother Tongue

Neither Here nor There

Made in America

Notes from a Small Island

A Walk in the Woods

I'm a Stranger Here Myself

In a Sunburned Country

Bryson's Dictionary of Troublesome Words

There's nothing like a good book about Africa to make you feel warm on a frigid day in Indiana. Hope you all enjoy this book as much as I did!!

Recommended:
Yes