Zen Under Fire: A New Zealand Woman's Story of Love & War in Afghanistan

by Marianne Elliott

I am about to be left in charge of the office. I'm not sure I am ready for the responsibility, so I double-check with my boss.

He reassures me. 'You'll be fine, Marianne. As long as no one kills Amanullah Khan, you'll be fine.'

By midday, Amanullah Khan is dead.

In 2006 Marianne Elliott, a human rights lawyer from New Zealand, was stationed with the UN in Herat. Several months into her new role an important tribal leader is assassinated while she is in charge of the local UN office. She must try to defuse the situation before it leads to widespread bloodshed. And this is just the beginning of her story in Afghanistan.

Zen Under Fire is a vivid account of Marianne's experience living and working in the world's most notorious battlefield. As well as sharing the incredible details of her UN role, Marianne tells the very personal story of the shattering effect that the high-stress environment had on her and her relationships, and asks what it really means to do good in a country that is under seige from within.

This is an honest, moving and at times terrifying true story of a woman's time peacekeeping in one of the most dangerous places on earth.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Buddhism, Biography, Travel, Biography Memoir, Asia

310 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Jennifer Louden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, fair warning: Marianne is my friend and I blurbed this book, and gave her comments in earlier stages. Warning aside: read this. If you love stories of smart women trying to find their way in horrifying and hard situations, if you have ever struggled with depression, longed to understand how aid works- and doesn't - and be a more informed global citzen, or if you just want a great read - get ready to stay up late!

[Wendy Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tracked down this book in the library on the basis of a recommendation from a trusted booklover, and it did not disappoint. I got a well-written and well-described glimpse of what it is like working in conflict-afflicted countries (like Afghanistan, where the book is based). I appreciated how clearly her values came out and her working modus operandi - doing what she can to make a difference in others' lives, and struggling with the trade-offs often needed. Even small vignettes and observations were compelling (and for me, relatable), e.g., her observations upon encountering a group of remote NGO workers who were living more like their Afghan neighbours, i.e. not cloistered in a compound with the mod-cons of affluent Western living. Being the 1% is not for everyone.

What I could have done less with was the ongoing drama associated with her love life (often the conclusion of chapters). It is not that I think one's personal life is irrelevant to her experience - in fact I think it is what can make or break an experience such as Elliott's. While the author did frame the on/off relationship in the context of needing a steady, trusted presence is the midst of a stressful, difficult environment, it still felt overly present throughout the book. Nonetheless, a strong recommend from me too!

[Lisa McKay · Rating 5 out of 5]

One thing that I particularly enjoyed about this book was how Marianne wove together stories about her work in Afghanistan with an account of how that work enriched her professionally and deeply challenged her personally. She writes about trying to learn how to live wide open - with empathy and compassion - without also drowning in sorrow or guilt. She writes unflinchingly about anxiety, vicarious trauma, and how the challenges of her work and living situation changed her and changed her relationships. She also writes with compassion, wisdom, humility and great love about Afghanistan and its people.

[Ml Lalonde · Rating 5 out of 5]

New to her post at the UN, Human Rights lawyer Marianne Elliott is left in charge of the office Herat, Afghanistan. Her supervisor tells her as he is leaving on holiday, “You’ll be fine, as long as no one kills Amanullah Khan.” By midday Amanullah Khan is dead. So begins the compelling addictive memoir that is one of the most honest, insightful and intelligent explorations of what it takes to be a female humanitarian in a conflict zone that I’ve read since “Emergency Sex”. Yet, unlike Emergency Sex, this memoir doesn’t ever lose hope in the darkest days. Elliott is transparent, even if she thinks it will make her look bad, believes in the mission, and explores the fragility of mental health in these sItuations with a keen eye. This was a page turner for me. Few people - and indeed few women — have written of this life with as much poignancy. Word to the wise: there’s a bit too much boyfriend trouble throughout, but it’s reassuring to know that the ability to negotiate with warlords isn’t an automatic hall pass to a good relationship.

[Lisa Niver · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review appeared in print in Whole Life Magazine on pg. 39 in the August/September 2013 issue.

Zen Under Fire: Finding Peace in the Midst of War

In her job as a human rights officer for the United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan, New Zealand lawyer Marianne Elliott was a compassionate civil rights leader who worked to ameliorate the human condition. Navigating the United Nations infrastructure, her project to help protect women from domestic violence was created with a collaborative community and so well received that it was duplicated in other areas of the country. But Elliott became depressed by the challenges of endless violence and tribal killings, and questioned the worthwhileness of her work. Additionally the stress of daily life exacerbated problems in her personal relationships.

To stem the tide of melancholy, Elliott turned to yoga, mediation and Buddhist nun Pema Chödrön. Her work expanded to include self-acceptance and rather than obsess on meditating correctly, sitting with herself wherever she was in the moment.

Living amidst rockets, riots and grenades, Elliott realized, “My compulsion to save the world has been fueled by my own private fears and insecurities as much as by my compassion and commitment to justice.”

Initially critiqued as being too sensitive, Elliott’s perceived weakness became her strength. She believed that, “It is our responsibility to listen to the people in this country who have the least power. That’s the only way I’ve ever seen anything change anywhere, when new voices begin to be heard and new forms of power begin to emerge.”

Elliott’s ability to nurture change in Afghanistan was inspiring. Her struggles and triumphs to balance her personal life and assist the people of Afghanistan were moving. By the time her tour of duty came to a close, her Afghani co-workers remarked, “Marianne is very compassionate. She feels the pain of our people.”

For anyone looking for a better understanding of what it’s like to live in a war-torn country, Elliott vividly explains the trials of daily life and the challenges to change in the region. It is easy to be enthralled by the perilous and picturesque villages of Afghanistan, but at times the intricate details and drama she shares are painful to read. However they provide a stark backdrop to her thoughtful commentary on yoga and meditation.

Elliott’s book is both horrifying and inspiring, and while the jury is still out on the effectiveness of various peacekeeping missions, she may actually convince you to start meditating—even just 10 minutes a day. (Source Books)

Reviewed by Lisa Niver Rajna, teacher, traveler, author of Traveling in Sin http://www.amazon.com/Traveling-in-Si...

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book wasn't what I thought it was going to be. I thought it was going to be much more about how yoga and meditation (perhaps even zen, which actually wasn't mentioned per se) created an inner peace in a situation that was very chaotic externally. and it was a little bit about that. but it was much more just this memoir of her time in afghanistan working for the UN.

I think if you're thinking about becoming a foreign aid worker, or you are or were a foreign aid worker, this book might have more to offer you. she does get a little bit into, is this system even workable, are we doing the good we want to do. you can see that she does some very useful things, like set up workshops for police on dealing with violence against women, and handing out copies of the afghani laws to courts that don't actually have them, and then some less useful things, like writing endless reports.

basically, the book starts out with a crisis where she's in a little over her head with responsibility, which leads to a bit of a breakdown, which leads to a breakdown in her relationship because for some reason she is sticking with a guy who, if you say, I just really need a hug right now, won't give it to you. she does do yoga and meditation, and they do make a difference, but mostly she is just recounting her work.

it's not very poetically written. she's used to writing reports, I guess. I felt like there were a lot of shortcuts, a lot of cliche descriptions, including some that just rubbed me the wrong way. "before returning to new zealand I'd dated gorgeous men from all over the world and thought I was ready to settle down." "gorgeous men from all over the world" really?

[Tina Tierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marianne Elliott has written a book with her heart. "Zen Under Fire" is a memoir of the two years she spent in Afghanistan working for the UN as a human rights officer. She writes with such truth and courage and passion that you feel as if she's speaking to you directly. You'll read about the violence, the corruption, and the unspeakable treatment of women, but you'll also read about the strength and courage and kindness of the Afghan people and the stark beauty of the country. Marianne tells a parallel story as well, what it's like to work as a human rights activist in a country still struggling to win those rights, something many of us don't think about. (Previous to going to Afghanistan, Marianne also served in Gaza and Timor-Leste.) Marianne helps us to see that very few of the problems in Afghanistan are black or white, in spite of what many of us may think. She also tells, with honestly and vulnerability,of the tremendous stress of trying to maintain normalcy in decidedly abnormal circumstances, of friendship and romance in a country where bombs can go off at any moment, and do, and people you know can be killed, and are, and how that affected her. And she tells how discovering meditation and yoga helped her to find the peaceful place within herself so that she could continue her work with courage and grace. Marianne is an amazing woman and "Zen Under Fire" is an amazing book! After you've read it you will have learned more about Afghanistan, about Marianne, and perhaps more about yourself as well.

[Maggie Franz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of a modern day heroine, Zen Under Fire is a self-authored testament to the power of yoga. Marianne Elliott may not like being called a heroine – in fact after reading her book I am sure of it, but what else can you call a woman who puts aside safety, job security, and proximity to family and friends to go off and accomplish humanitarian aid during war torn Afghanistan? This fascinating read is a much-needed glimpse into the people, the culture and situation that is life in the shadow of the Taliban. As American’s we hear so much about this part of the world, and it always seems that news is delivered in lumps. Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq all run together and become a muddled mess. Marianne Elliott has provided us with a truth about the different types of people from this region, has given insight into their culture, which before might have seemed archaic. Most importantly she has shown the world that good can and is being accomplished.

Read more of the review here: http://www.blackdogspeaks.com/zen-und...

[Christine Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew Marianne while she was working in Afghanistan, but was still fascinated by the stories she shares in Zen Under Fire. Not merely a book about her work as a human rights officer in Afghanistan, it also gives the reader an intimate glimpse at her journey of establishing a strong spiritual foundation along the way.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

a quite intimate story of human rights aid work in Afghanistan..Marianne gives a clear picture of the variety of work being done there and how complex the problems are, and shares how she found a way to cope with the emotional intensity. i enjoyed the balance of the personal and the political. i've done Marianne's online yoga classes and love her down-to-earth practical attitude, she does a great job making the reader feel at home in remote Afghanistan, and sharing her emotional struggles with frank grace.

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book, recommended by one of my yoga instructors. Marianne's story is inspiring, and learning about Afghanistan from her perspective was so interesting and beautiful. I loved that she included information about her personal relationships as that was an interesting theme throughout the book that kept my interest.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up “Zen Under Fire” because I was curious about how international aid organizations work and what aid workers do day-to-day.

Marianne Elliott is a New Zealand lawyer working for the UN in Afghanistan as a Human Rights Officer in the mid-2000s. She is highly compassionate (which at one point her boss tells her could be one her weaknesses in this role) and wants to help women in Afghanistan gain their voice and participate in the peace process. Soon after beginning her job in Herat, she is put in charge of her office while her boss takes a one week leave. Not even several hours after being in charge alone, a tribal leader in the region is assassinated and violence breaks out. This is one of Marianne’s first “tests” so to say - she has to try to arbitrate between the two groups, local government, police force, military groups (international and Afghan) and NGOs, as well as navigate UN procedure and interview witnesses to try to piece together what happened so that victims can receive the right kind of aid. This experience leaves Marianne feeling depressed and hopeless and makes her wonder if she is even doing any good by being there. These feelings influence her relationships and sense of purpose. Looking for an outlet, she turns to yoga and meditation to try to navigate these feelings and find some purpose in what she is doing in Afghanistan.

Throughout the book, Marianne also recounts other missions and projects she led in conjunction with local and international groups - from training local police in remote areas on domestic violence to interviewing prisoners on their conditions behind bars. I found the work she was doing and her explanations on the complex situation in Afghanistan fascinating: I admit to knowing very little about Afghanistan despite its presence in the news. It was also interesting reading about the strict security procedures she had to follow as an UN employee. Her descriptions about her coworkers and their interactions were also a strong point of the book: my favorites were the Afghan cook in the Herat UN compound who made it mission to find soy milk so that Marianne could have a latte in the morning before work and her coworkers in Ghou who looked out for her like she was a member of their own family. Overall, I think her story fulfills what she set out to do: to share her experiences in Afghanistan so that others can have a better idea of the situation there.

[Katherine Andrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parts about her work were interesting and I wanted to hear more about her work and less about the boyfriend trouble. It made me want to scream that a woman doing so much wrote a book largely focused on a man who took up such a small portion of her life. I would have preferred her to go more into her work and experience in her different jobs in aid. It was slow at times and the writing was not strong enough to intertwine the personal and the professional in a way that kept me interested.

[Gisele Lupi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haha, I love that I'm writing this review 12 years after reading Marianne's account. Bits and pieces of her story stayed with me, as I too, took a tour as a Volunteer in an (alien to me) environment of uncertainty and isolation in a foreign country. I recommend this book for any one interested in travel, in service for humanity. Especially relevant to all courageous women who persevere and grow through facing challenging situations.

[Me · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this lady a lot of credit. She was in probably the crappiest country in a crappy war surround by insanity. She is a sensitive person who tried to fix poop. I enjoyed this book greatly, I never met a UN worker or read a book by them. I encourage to young people to read it.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting and detailed account of a woman fighting for women's rights in Afghanistan while trying to find her own psychological and emotional balance.

[Sonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

grounded me again in public health and how incredible human spirit is! how much we all can do. incredible story told beautifully! life-changing!

[Rebecca Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book helped inform my career path

[Laurie Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marianne Elliott documented human rights violations in Afghan prisons and police stations and trained local law enforcement officers and prosecutors about human rights and Afghan law. Her life, first in Kabul, and then in Herat, was one of contrasts. Rules and procedures narrowed her freedom: she needs a driver or security officer with her whenever she travels outside her UN guest house, she can't walk alone on the streets, her dress and demeanor must at all times show respect for Afghan culture. But in countless other ways, Elliott's circumstances open her to rich experiences: the camaraderie of UN and NGO workers from around the world, the priceless friendship of her Afghan co-workers, and the indelible mark the Afghans she served left on her heart. Sometimes frightened, often edgy, occasionally endangered, and always driven, Elliott struggles to maintain balance in her life--she knows that a shell-shocked, stressed out aid worker would be less than effective.

Before arriving in Kabul, Elliott practiced yoga and meditation in her native New Zealand, and she continues during her time in Afghanistan. At first, her practice is almost mechanical. Unnerved by a phone call or a meeting, she'd head to her mat, do some simple breathing exercises and several sun salutes. While the stressful situation was often the same, it was Elliott who was different. Yoga becomes both her refuge and strength: "Yoga is helping me little by little to trust my breath and my body, and to loosen my tight grip on control. I am starting to get glimpses of what yoga might be able to teach me ..."

What I like so much about Zen Under Fire was the author's transparency. As an American who only hears about aid workers on the news and has no experience with life in a war zone, it can be easy to elevate those who serve to sainthood. But Elliott struggles with jealousy and anger and helplessness
and self-doubt. Through fits and starts, she gives herself permission to sit with those feelings, acknowledging them instead of repressing them, and realizes "it is a kind of yoga, this approach. It is transforming my ability to be in the presence of profound suffering without closing my heart or leaping too quickly into action." Maybe most important of all, she learns that sometimes it is more important to be a heartstrong woman than a headstrong one.

Yoga and meditation can sometimes seem like an "add-on" to our modern lives--something that might be nice to have, but certainly isn't a necessity. But Marianne Elliott teaches us that living the mindful life allows us to experience the true depth and breadth this life has to offer. Even in a war zone.
[read more at thisismysymphony.blogspot.com]

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marianne Elliott is a New Zealand humanitarian activist working for the United Nations in Afghanistan as this book begins with her being plunged into a supervisory role during the Islamic holiday of Eid that has taken her Afghan colleagues away from the office, leaving her to deal with a climactic crisis in her first week on the job.

The book follows her personal experiences, thoughts, and reflections on life during two years in her Afghani residence, in a large urban community, and a smaller, isolated village. Elliott makes one-on-one connections with Afghani colleagues and 'clients'-- the people she is dedicated to serving, attempting to make life better for the Afghani people she comes into relationship with: single mothers, abused women, jobless men, Christian converts, feuding members of tribal groups.

The author's refreshing desire to teach and communicate both with the Afghani people she is in community with, and with her readers, results in a rich, fascinating, scary, often heart-breaking, story that attempts to break down some damaging stereotypes and support the Afghani people in their own struggles for peaceful co-existence and future determinations. Helpful things that she learns and applies (how to live and work in a very stressful war environment without falling apart; how to work with people when you realize that you can not actually "fix" their lives) become appreciated by her clients and colleagues AND her readers (speaking for myself, at least).

The kindness, compassion and respectfulness that she attributes to her colleagues and clients we see reflected in her own character.

There are details about the exciting, terrifying, horrifying, traumatizing, confusing, bewildering, painful, edifying, hopeful events that she comes across in the two years she spends in Afghanistan. And she details a couple of love affairs that are classic components of most classic war stories throughout history. This book contains it all.

[Mandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

* The complete version of this review appears on my blog: http://noapathyallowed.com/2013/09/ze... *

Zen Under Fire focuses very much on Marianne’s struggles to make an impact in righting the social injustices occurring in conflict-ridden Afghanistan. It was all-too-easy for her to feel like she was bearing the sole burden of preventing and healing the suffering around her. Feeling as though her work was perhaps futile, she went through a period of profound sadness and isolation.

There are elements of Marianne’s story that anyone who has done aid or development work will recognize. Indeed, although I have never been in high conflict situations, Zen Under Fire certainly stirred up memories of my work in Uganda and Sierra Leone, including all the conflicting emotions that go along with being a privileged outsider trying to do good in a foreign culture.

Marianne doesn’t pretend to offer easy answers to this struggle, but rather shares the story of how she found her way out of this darkness by developing a daily practice of yoga and meditation. It didn’t happen over night, but the lessons she learned from her practice gradually brought her to a place where should could focus on the here and now, and be present for the Afghanis she worked to help.

In the end, she came to the realization that the most important thing she could do was to bear witness to the stories of the Afghanis she came in contact with. Zen Under Fire is most definitely a very compassionate effort to hold true to this commitment and share these stories with the Western world, in the hopes that more can be done to improve the situation in Afghanistan. So whether you’re more interested in Afghanistan, or yoga, or meditation, taking the time to read Zen Under Fire is most definitely time well spent.

[Abbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been following Marianne's work on her blog for awhile now and was really interested in reading her book. I have an even higher respect for Marianne after reading her book. The honesty and openness with which she writes not only gives you an idea of what life is like in Afghanistan, but the struggles she faced everyday in working with the different organizations and trying to keep herself together emotionally.

There are two quotes in particular that really stood out for me, the first being Fahim's request to Marianne as she was leaving Afghanistan - "Then do what you can in your country to help people understand what is really happening here in Afghanistan." I believe that Marianne has and is doing this work with this book. I have a different perspective on Afghanistan, their struggles, and how the media portrays all of this.

The other quote that really hit me was another by Fahim - " No one should feel guilty for doing what everyone should be able to do. Just be grateful. Always be grateful. And do what you can to make sure that everyone enjoys those same rights." This quote brought tears to my eyes.

I recommend this book not only to get a glimpse of the real struggles behind life and work in Afghanistan, but also to reflect on yourself and your own life... this book gives you a lot to think about!

[Annette · Rating 2 out of 5]

ZEN UNDER FIRE: HOW I FOUND PEACE IN THE MIDST OF WAR is the story told by a human rights worker in Afghanistan . For me this book is a crazy-maker. Author Elliot bounces back and forth between crying jags and accomplishment while correlating the chaos with her personal relationship. The human rights issues are amazing. What she witnesses happening to Afghani women and then relates to her boohoo boyfriend uncurls my hair. In the next breath she rolls around some really great yoga ideas, resources and experiences.

I have finished 55% of the book. I am going through with it to the end. As a senior citizen, mother of 6, law enforcement retiree, I find the cacophony of this read quite puzzling so far... and yet I have never lived in a war zone. Whew ! Finished... as the book progresses, Elliot practices yoga. She quotes Pema Chodron and grows in acceptance of life as it is. She made real friends and accomplished good for the Afghan people.... a humanities, yoga, dysfunctional kind of read .

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book taught me a lot about overseas aid work and the people of Afghanistan. But mostly, I appreciated Elliott's ability to share so much about the emotional toll her work took on her, a toll that most of her coworkers seemed to paper over with toughness, booze, and video games. I appreciate her vulnerability, and can remember times in my own life when my emotional well-being was in shreds. Elliott slowly but surely chooses to cope with yoga, the teachings of Pema Chodron, soy lattes, and friendship. We could all stand to be reminded that real stress management has to start on the inside. Sometimes I got a little bogged down in all the detail about the local politics of the places she served, but on the whole, this is a great book. I also got to meet Marianne when she came through Chicago on her book tour - she's a wonderful speaker and person, don't miss the chance to meet her or hear her speak.

[Dhanamusil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first heard Marianne on a radio interview and thought "I must read that book!" I finally ready last week, and it only took me a few days to read as it was compelling, I couldn't wait to get back into it. Marianne has the life I always dreamt of--International aid worker--and her book pulled me in and gave me an up close and personal glance into her world. I have always been fascinated by the Middle East and have been reading about the Taliban for years, since I stumbled across an article called My date with the Taliban, before they made themselves a household name. Marianne takes us on a geographical and emotional tour, she remains appealing universally and doesn't big us down in facts and politics. Funny, she went home to do her work through yoga, and here I am, a yoga teacher wanting to be more front line... Read her book. It will make you a better person. And if it doesn't, you'll at least be smarter.

[Lee Walling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw the author speak at a DC conference in October 2013, and everyone was impressed by her vulnerable humanity. I ordered and finally read her book. It's a world and lifestyle I will probably never experience myself, but I appreciated living it vicariously. She went to the most remote, god-forsaken parts of Afghanistan and loved the place and its people. When she left, I cried. We really have no respect for or understanding of these countries we are so eager to invade and bomb - their culture, their family life, their fragile local economies, their conflicts.

At first, the constant guilt and tears were annoying, but I understood them after awhile. I did want to drop-kick her aloof and uncaring so-called boyfriend. Sorry, Marianne, he was a jerk.

Anyway, the book gave me a glimpse into the world of humanitarian work - from the local NGOs to the hidebound UN, it was an eye opener on many levels.

[Laura]

I felt a little guilty finishing this book in 3 days knowing the time that must have gone into the living and writing of it. It gave me enormous geopolitical and humanitarian insight into many sides of the conflict, coupled with connective understanding on all sides through day to day deeply human stories, deftly and succinctly told, of what its like for the people who live within that and struggle to uphold commitment to their pride and values despite the devastation. I must say here that I'm nonplussed in a negative way by the comparison with Eat Pray Love. While I enjoyed that book, its a completely self-satisfying pleasure cruise by comparison. Zen Under Fire took me on a much more challenging journey yet with such ease and generosity, making it infinitely relatable.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this account of the authors time and experiences in Afghanistan. What I appreciate about her very readable style is that she doesn't paint herself as a saint or a martyr (some of these do-gooder books can tend to do that I think) but rather she presents an honest account of herself as a real human being with all the faults, inconsistencies and insecurities that we all feel. At the same time it is an inspirational story about the good we can all do in the world. I recommend it not just as a story about Afghanistan but as a real human story that we can all appreciate and relate to.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful and intelligent story written by a New Zealand woman about her time working in Afghanistan. What Elliott manages to do in this book is explain the context and the complexity of internal and external challenges in this amazing country as well tell her personal story. It has all the ingredients to come across as overly virtuous, overly emotional and/or potentially biased, however, this writer clearly has respect for her subjects and her readers and that is what lifts this far above the likes of 'Eat, Pray, Love' to which is has been compared. Totally satisfies as an important read and a gripping yarn.

[Jill Robbertze · Rating 4 out of 5]

This memoir relates what life is really like living and working in Afghanistan. Marianne Elliot describes the work she was doing, the wonderful and brave people that she meets and the stressful situations and frustrations that she had to deal with, and how all this reflected on her personal life and relationships. Discovering Yoga and meditation gave her the peace and courage to face her unique circumstances both professionally and personally.
I also learned a lot about the various agencies and their work in the region and about the lives of the local people. A well-deserved 4 out of 5 stars !!!!