Africa Lite? Boomers in Botswana

by Christopher M. Doran

The author says DO NOT READ THIS BOOK....... unless you want to spend the day laughing out loud while being inspired by Africa and the Peace Corps In 2008, Dr. Doran and his wife made the extraordinary decision to leave the comforts of America to join the United States Peace Corps. Assigned to Africa for two years, they participated in the fight against HIV in Botswana, a country which has the second highest incidence of HIV in the world. On one level, this is an inspiring chronicle of their work together and the joys and challenges of Peace Corps service for the Boomer generation. The book however, is much more than that. Throughout, the author relates the story of a fictional newspaper, the Kalahari Khronicle, of which he is the editor. Taking reports of news items from around the world, Kgosi (Dr. Doran's Botswana name --meaning "Chief") consistently entertains the reader with sharp wit and political commentary. Written in a style reminiscent of Dave Barry and Pat Conroy, the Khronicle articles provide clever and at times hilarious observations on both American and African culture.

Genres: Botswana

284 pages, Paperback

First published December 12, 2011

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun, quick read to reminisce about my own experiences as a PCV in Botswana.

[Bruce McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light-hearted treatment of serious work. "Africa Lite ?" is a funny read, both funny ha-ha and funny peculiar. Fortunately, both aspects are clearly intentional and cleverly put together. The book is built around an easygoing and carefree treatment of serving in the Peace Corps, in circumstances that are sometimes challenging and sometimes downright funny (yes, both kinds).

Christopher Doran is very self-effacing in his book, telling little about the work he did. It's in there, but the real Peace Corps part of the story is sandwiched in between fanciful made-up tales and funny reactions to real news stories from all around the world. These take the form of bulletins and stories from a fictitious newspaper. The "Kalahari Khronicle" has its own made-up melodramas as a third layer of the story, overlapping the Peace Corps work and the goofy news commentary with the "newspaper" enduring constant threats of receivership, losing and seeking employees, and being shut down or sued for one reason or another.

The real "Peace Corps" part of the story included some pretty impressive work -- AIDS awareness and education, other serious healthcare work, mental health work and community service with youth and academic and law enforcement professionals, and even teaching at a medical school. Doran and his wife (referred to as "Kgosi" and "Kopo" respectively in the Setswana language) also established library programs, arranged for grants and equipment for libraries, and even set up a competition for teenagers to make educational videos.

The book is an engaging piece of work, and includes some telling observations on the culture of Botswana along with the Peace Corps memoir and its humorous overlays.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mostly a series of amusing "news" articles from around the world, put into the author's fictional newspaper he purported to write while in Botswana. A few things he wrote about the country was interesting, but the grainy photos were not. This is not a book in which you can immerse yourself.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mildly entertaining.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was insightful and entertaining. I recommend it.