Things
Are Different in Africa
By
Frederick Edward Pitts
Imagine
entering a world where most of the inhabitants speak a different
language. Where a corrupt official greets you with a demand for
payment of illegitimate fees, and political unrest is the norm.
Here, roads are so dangerous, delivery of wares as basic as food
and fuel is erratic and fatal accidents are a fact of life.
Envision
asking folks questions and if they reply at all, they give answers
they think you want to hear rather than the truth. In this world,
everyone does everything in his or her own time. All that one owns
belongs to everyone so few work to improve their lots. Women toil
throughout equatorial days to ensure their families’ survival
while the men sit idly in the shade.
Welcome
to Makoua, a village deep within the Congo.
In
“Things are Different in Africa”, Frederick Edward Pitts
writes a frank account of his year spent as a Peace Corps volunteer.
After spending years in corporate America, Mr. Pitts decides to
employ his degree in biology by helping Congolese villagers cultivate
fish farms. While the cultural differences provide frustration,
his clashes with superiors who fail to provide the necessary tools
and support appear to doom the project. However, Mr. Pitts’
determination to achieve his goal hurdles all surmountable obstacles,
even serious personal injury.
Mr.
Pitts’ writing is sometimes flippant, occasionally funny and
always straightforward. The author’s philosophical observations
will encourage readers to understand a culture most will never experience.
His ability to impart vivid descriptions will transport readers
to awe-inspiring vistas. I highly recommend Things are Different
in Africa. This is the most fascinating, informative chronicle of
life on the Dark Continent I’ve ever read .
|
The
Reviewer |
Lynda E. Lukow |
Reviewed
2005 |
NOTE:
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