Monique and the Mango Rains
By Kris Holloway
Waveland Press
www.waveland.com

Awhile back, I received an e-mail recommending a book called Monique and the Mango Rains. I liked the sound of the title and made a note to look it up. Two days later, I found the book at my home, sent to me by a client. Clearly, this was book I should read, and having finished it, I'd say you should, too.

Monique and the Mango Rains is the story of the author's, Kris Holloway, two years with a local midwife in a remote village in Mali. In this tiny village, the conditions were very uncomfortable and unhygienic. Medical waste was a pile in the corner of the room. Sterilized equipment, gloves, clean sheets, comfortable beds? Not even close.

But despite that, I had hoped there would be elementary truths about labor and birth that would remain respected. I was surprised when the author described Monique giving a woman an injection (needles!) of Pitocin for the last stage of labor. Was this practice adopted because it seemed 'more advanced?' It also surprised me that when the baby was born, he was massaged a little then wrapped in a towel and placed to the side. He was not on the mother's belly as I would have expected. Before receiving her baby, the mother went into the next room to clean up. I wondered if this was indeed tradition or if this too was influenced by Western medical models.

Nonetheless, there were basic truths that Monique and Kris dealt with on a daily basis. Malnutrition was a major problem so much of their focus was on good nutrition and time for mothers to recuperate.

As limited in resources as their health care was, simple things could make a dramatic difference. Monique continually encouraged the women to continue breastfeeding, to not wean their babies suddenly or too early. She and Kris instructed parents about a basic rehydration mix that could avert the fatal decline of a baby with diarrhea.

Monique had been given nine months of training to become a midwife and, at the age of 24, was the only health care provider in the whole village. Kris Holloway, as a Peace Corps volunteer, was her assistant for two years. You can imagine the range of experience they had treating mothers, babies, older women and men.

Kris knew how hard Monique worked and how invaluable was her commitment to the village's health. And yet, Monique had no control over her own salary. It was her father-in-law and her "lazy husband" (referred to as 'the guy' by Monique) who received the money. They did not spend it wisely. Kris decided to investigate that further. Although she was a foreigner, she did receive quiet support from the village chief. Perhaps as a respected outsider, she was able to present a change that an established traditional member could not. As it turns out, no one but Monique should have received the income and it was formally corrected.

There were other issues that Kris dealt with diplomatically.She was able to discuss the practice of genital mutilation with Monique. In her experience as a midwife, Monique had seen the problems that it created for women, though as a young girl, she had been excited when she was old enough for the ceremony. Yet these two women as friends, from other sides of the planet, could productively discuss and review this deep culture difference.

In a short two years, they helped many people and contributed a few significant improvements to the health of the village. I felt, as Kris must have felt, surprised when her two years were over. Monique and Kris made plans to keep in touch. There was a most charming moment when they discussed how Monique could come to visit Kris but I don't want to give that away. You should read this book.

These were two remarkable young women who, with their good hearts, fundamental skills and generous camaraderie, undoubtedly made a difference in many people's lives.

Monique and the Mango Rains by Kris Holloway, Waveland Press.
www.waveland.com