Thursday, January 19, 2012

Book Review - Wine to Water

My apologies for the blog drought! The holidays, work, life – it all has been busy the past few weeks. I do have so much to write about but for this post, I want to play the role of book review blogger.


I am an avid reader. From the Hunger Games trilogy to multiple readings of Wuthering Heights, I inherited my love of reading from my mother. I have just finished reading a book written by an acquaintance of mine, Doc Hendley, and let me tell you, Katniss and her defiance against the “Capital” doesn’t hold a candle to his story.


In 2004/2005, Doc moved to Sudan to help bring clean water to the men, women and children living in Dafur. The book tells Doc’s story – from his days to bartending in Raleigh to what motivated him to live and work where reputable international aid organizations wouldn’t send their own staff. Despite being shot at by the Janjaweed, he did not give up on providing clean water and subsequently healthier lives for many Sudanese. Doc’s depiction of how he connected with the people of Africa echoes many of my sentiments that are often difficult to put into words yet he has done so honestly and poetically.


Clean water is public health 101. I’ve seen first hand the children in East Africa walking barefoot down dirt roads with their yellow canteens, searching for water to bring home. While they are out filling up those buckets, they are missing school, faced with whatever perils they encounter along the way, only to return home to drink that water, that if not properly boiled or treated, could easily give them a deadly bacterial virus. What Doc and his organization have so expertly done is not only build and repair wells for communities across the globe, but truly grasped that NGO buzz word, sustainability, and taught locals how to repair wells themselves.


Doc’s story continues – he persists raising money and awareness to bring clean water to the billion people on the planet without access. Despite his accolades, including an impressive nomination for CNN Hero of the Year, he is just a good ole Southern boy who has worked, and continues to work hard for our fellow global citizens.


Whether you are a public health professional like myself, or just someone who likes an inspiring story, please read this book. You’ll find yourself laughing and crying the whole way through. And when you finish, donate a few bucks to Wine to Water!


Amazon link to the book: http://www.amazon.com/Wine-Water-Bartenders-Quest-Bring/dp/1583334629


Organization website: http://winetowater.org/


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