Damien Brown

This book is one of those books that you will either put aside because you can't handle the subject matter or you will delve deeper into it because you desperately need to know more about what is happening.

Damien's journey is one filled with heartache, happiness, life and death. All of them clash together and intermingled until I wasn't entirely sure which was which, or if this kind of life, as a volunteer was just that. Nonetheless, the writing was vivid and captivating, and the story was one I will not soon forget. I don't know how I ever could.

It is simply put, amazing.… (mehr)

A heart-breaking memoir, that also manages to be heart-warming and rather sobering. I admire Damien - for going places I would not dare to tread and daring to make a difference - no matter how slim. He tells his experiences with a certain amount of wry humour and does not dwell on the grief, although of that there is plenty. The political situation in many of the African countries is a worrying one. I devoured this book, and at times I laughed, other times I just wanted to cry, but one thing I took away from it is how lucky I am - to be born in a "western" country where "luxuries" such as nutritious food and safe water can be taken for granted and where I am unlikely to step on a landmine or get caught in the gunfire of inter-tribal warfare.

But it is the story of the people that I love the most - the little boy with the beads, the children who make a model village from clay, the various native nurses and doctors with their little quirks and ideas. Brown does not view them as victims, and they do not see themselves that way, and one cannot help but feel humbled that we "first worlders" feel we need so much, when these people are happy with so little and the importance of family, friends and fun exceeds the need for big shiny "toys".… (mehr)

The theme for my local book club this month was "Medical" so I read [Bandaid for a Broken Leg] by [[Damien Brown]]. Damien is an Australian doctor who goes to Africa as a volunteer to work in a couple of MSF health care facilities. He writes about the working conditions, his relationships with the local health care workers and the other volunteers, the local customs etc. For example when performing an operation in the "theatre" a male relative is present, is shown the offending appendix (or whatever other body part is involved) and he gives his permission for it to be removed. I found the book really interesting. Damien shares some of his feelings about the situations in these communities and how difficult it is working there. Definitely a good read.… (mehr)