by L.A.Forbes
E-book published by L.A.Forbes
The village of Malikeng lies in a valley at the foot of the Drakensburg mountains, which reach a height of 10,000 feet in places. This spectacular backdrop to our story serves to accentuate the tensions and undercurrents that are rampant in this small village.
Into the midst of the warm and friendly residents of Malikeng comes Sarah, an American Peace Corps Volunteer, who is on a mission to assist with the health and dietary problems associated with the HIV/AIDS problem which is rampant throughout Southern Africa. She has previously been working in New Mexico and Arizona on the Indian reservations, mostly dealing with diabetics, and was in need of a change of scene.
Sarah arrives at Malikeng after an extremely long and arduous journey to begin her new assignment. She will be living in a rondavel, a small round house with a conical roof, which is situated within the chief's compound. She unpacks and stores her belongings as best she can in the limited space available, and begins to familiarize herself with the people and their language. She is based at the local school and befriends Lucy, one of the teachers, and gets to know her family and is generally welcomed by the residents, with the occasional exception.
Life in Malikeng is very different from the life Sarah is accustomed to in Albuquerque, life's essentials do not come 'on tap' as she has been used to, and she takes some time to adjust. She integrates as best she can and feels she is making headway with her project, and is enjoying her time in Lesotho.
Trouble is brewing with one particular resident, who has upset some dangerous people, resulting in a dramatic finale to the narrative.
Entertaining story, giving an insight into a country most people will not be familiar with, and I would thoroughly recommend this book.
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