Road No Good

by Bridget Isichei

Bridget Isichei wanted to help people and make a real difference in the world. However, she had no idea what she was in for when she accepted a two-year volunteer post to train women to be pre-school teachers in the popular tourist destination of Vanuatu. But instead of cocktails by the sea in a luxury resort, Bridget found herself in Luganville, a shantytown whose people were still practising black magic and wearing the same fashions bought in by missionary women in the 1800s.

Genres: Nonfiction

236 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2017

Reviews

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This should be mandatory reading for all women lucky enough to be living in and being educated in modern societies. It gave me a renewed appreciation for the gift that is learning. Thank you Bridget for sharing your story.

[Chike · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring story about a group of women in isolated Vanuatu, who overcome unimaginable challenges to get an education. Makes you think of the world from a new perspective- reminds me very much of Mans search for meaning by Viktor Emil Frankl.

[Sally Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting and so important for women to be educated and for their children too and hard to believe the almost “acceptance “of the high degree of domestic violence that takes place in this place.

[Samara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m calling it now- this will be one of my favourite reads of 2024.

This was an incredibly interesting and insightful view into Ni-Van culture and an ultimately inspiring story of what can be achieved with a whole lot of determination.

[Johan D'Haenen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dit is in alle opzichten een prachtig werk. Niet alleen is het zeer vlot geschreven en goed leesbaar, maar ook inhoudelijk is het echt waardevol.
Vanuatu, een eiland in Oceanië (de Nieuwe Hebriden) waar rijke toeristen zich komen vermaken en cruiseschepen aanleggen, terwijl de plaatselijke bevolking als een achtergebleven koloniale (Fransen & Britten) slavenmaatschappij moet overleven zonder degelijk onderwijs, medische verzorging en andere sociale voorzieningen.
Het werk behandelt de strijd van de vrouwen voor ontvoogding in een patriarchale samenleving waar oude magie en voorouderlijk geloof nog sterk verankerd zijn, naast een traditioneel missionarissenkatholicisme. Maar er is meer dan dat, veel meer... er is vooral de ontwikkeling van ganse gemeenschappen en de opbouw van alle nutsvoorzieningen waar zij nog altijd van verstoken blijven.
Dit boek is een les voor alle zelfingenomen, egoïstische individuen uit de zogenaamd "ontwikkelde" of "beschaafde" geïndustrialiseerde landen die onze planeet leegzuigen en kapotmaken voor eigen gewin...
"It was then that I realised what it is that we humans are annihilating. There is more to our pollution and destruction than just a future in which our children do not have clean air nor our grandchildren fish for dinner. We are also destroying an ancient magnificent presence; an enduring soul that is much bigger and more beautiful than we can comprehend. It’s something that’s been here on earth for millions of years, untouched, tranquil and undisturbed. In just a blink of its own time, we humans have appeared and, ironically, we are able to both appreciate it and destroy it."

[Celia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Road No Good by Bridget Isichei was the runner-up in the 2016 Finch Memoir Prize. It is a personal account of Bridget’s time in Vanuatu helping women take control of their own education, and in so doing, their own destinies. But it is also so much more, as Bridget comes to a new understanding of life from these women who find meaning and contentment even in the face of adversity and loss. A true story that celebrates the complexity and resilience of the human spirit.

Also, please read this excellent review, which describes the book even further:

https://www.boffinsbooks.com.au/books...

I was completely impressed by Bridget's dedication to the women of Luganville in the two years she spent in Vanuatu. She even learned their language, Bislama, a pidgin English, well enough to give lengthy speeches.

I read this book for Vanuatu, the 138th country I have 'visited' on my World Reading Journey. It describes a VERY POOR people still living and dressing as if they were in the 18th Century.

Very good and EYE-OPENING.

5 stars

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring story from a volunteer who worked to improve early childhood education in Vanuatu. I'd give it 4.5 stars if I could. It loses half a star due to its editing issues (which always irk me)

[Laura Crossfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting outsiders perspective of issues facing women in the pacific.
Common themes from Melanesian culture on black magic, bride price and prioritising pigs over women.

[M. Homer · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an early childhood teacher working and living in New Zealand I consumed this book with both awe and amazement at the strength of the human spirit and the power of education. Bridget shares with us her insights while volunteering to train preschool teachers in Vanuatu. She allows us a glimpse into a complex and diverse culture that is so grounded in history and connections to traditional beliefs that it's almost impossible as a Western woman to understand what daily life must be like for women there. The story builds a picture of women determined to learn and make a difference for preschool children so that they have more opportunities to get out of extreme poverty. Despite their struggles to read and write English, these ladies tackle gaining a certificate in early childhood so that they can truly support their children. Bridget helps them through it all by setting up study groups and speaking on their behalf to the "Office Man" and others. Along the way, she too learns from these amazing women and people around her. Bridget shares her own learning as she spends her time in Luganville gaining an insight into what really matters and how despite vast cultural differences, as humans we share some fundamental similarities. This story reminds me of the value of the work we do and the importance it can have on shaping a better, brighter future. A fantastic read!

[Ali Soper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down. Honest, snapshot of time,