Monique and the Mango Rains

Two Years With a Midwife in Mali

By: Kris Holloway

Narrated by: Kirsten Potter

What is it like to live and work in a remote corner of the world and befriend a courageous midwife who breaks traditional roles? Monique and the Mango Rains: Two Years with a Mali Midwife is the inspiring story of Monique Dembele, an accidental midwife who became a legend, and Kris Holloway, the young Peace Corps volunteer who became her closest confidante.

In a small village in Mali, West Africa, Monique saved lives and dispensed hope every day in a place where childbirth is a life-and-death matter and where many children are buried before they cut a tooth. Kris worked side-by-side with her as they cared for each other through sickness and tragedy and shared their innermost secrets and hopes.

Monique's life was representative of many women in one of the world's poorest nations, yet she faced her challenges in extraordinary ways. Despite her fiercely traditional society and her limited education she fought for her beliefs birth control, the end of female genital mutilation, the right to receive a salary, and the right to educate her daughters.

And she struggled to be with the man she loved. Her story is one of tragedy joy, rebellion, and of an ancient culture in the midst of change. It is an uplifting tribute to indomitable spirits everywhere.

©2007 Kris Holloway (P)2018 Tantor

Lovely story, not much about midwifery and birth

really loved the story and couldn't put it down. as a midwife, I was hoping more for that part of the story which was pretty minimal.

A warm and wonderful story

Feels like a fast read, but enjoyed every minute. Insightful. I wondered if it might be a dry documentary but it wasn’t. I enjoyed the descriptions and activities including day to day life. So glad I chose it

Wonderful work featuring strong women

Loved this book! My son, who is in college, had to read it for class. I got interested in it, and bought the audio book so that we could listen together. The story line held our interest and the narrator was wonderful! I will read the book also.

Excellent

This was a required book to read/listen for a Medical Anthropology class in College, and I really liked how Kris shared her experience. If you live in a “first-world” country, it’s eye-opening to realize that some what primitive healthcare conditions still exist only a plane ride away.

Keep thinking about it!

Great story telling. Transported me to Africa and kept me immersed. I was invested in the people and their stories

Read this book!

I loved this from start to finish. Kris was a peace corps volunteer in Mali, working with Monique, the local lay midwife. As a nurse practitioner in women's health, I found her stories both enlightening and distressing. Maternal fetal mortality in developing nations is staggering, yet here is one midwife who worked tirelessly to improve the health of the women and babies in her care. We know the too common outcomes in rural Africa, yet the book is uplifting and positive. The narratives made me feel the heat of the jungle, the struggles for clean water, and the amazing progress made over time.

Absolutely loved it!!

So well written and captivating. I loved hearing about the life of a Peace Corps volunteer in addition to the life of a local midwife. I highly recommend this book.

eye opener

this book makes me so glad to be in the US in some ways. made me wish I was a man or glad to be a woman all in one... I'm still processing this book frfr

lifechanging

I couldn't have loved this more. As a student midwife it was super impactful I appreciate the author sharing Monique's life

Must Read

This book is well written and makes you feel like you’re in Mali with Kris and Monique. A great look at Mali’s culture through an American’s eyes. An amazing story of how living abroad and immersing yourself into a new culture changes you and creates life long friendships.