Bring Rain: Helping Humanity in Crisis

by Sarah Dawn Petrin

You have the compassion to help people, and you want to do something. Yet in times of crisis, the world seems fragile and out of control. How then, can you make a difference? This book will show you how. Take it from Sarah Petrin, an aid worker who shares real-life action stories and advice from 20 years of service in 20 countries. Whether you want to help people close to home or serve abroad, Bring Helping Humanity in Crisis is the book for you. You don’t need to be a saint or a superhero to make a difference. You can be your ordinary self and still do extraordinary things to mend and heal a broken world. You only have to see the needs around you and be ready to respond. You're going to need steadfast determination and the confidence that everything you do – no matter how seemingly small – is part of the bigger picture of human progress. This book will give you the practical advice you need to thrive and survive in a chaotic world. Bring Rain is a raw, unvarnished account from Sarah Petrin, an international relief worker from Maine who started helping refugees when she was 15 years old. In this book, Sarah shares the stranger-than-fiction action moments from her own life, and invites us to come along for the journey. She offers us hope that no matter our circumstances, our common humanity is the glue that holds us together. Bring Helping Humanity in Crisis is full of unforgettable personal stories that are harrowing, heartbreaking, instructive and inspiring and offers a roadmap to help you venture out into the world with fresh energy to change and be changed by the people around you. We can create a better future for ourselves and others, by writing a better ending to the story of today. Look at what these incredible people are saying about Sarah Petrin and BRING Helping Humanity in Crisis . . . “Petrin offers both a call to action and a blueprint for meaningful engagement in our complex world.” — Dr. Gary Kirk, Director of the Center for Civic Engagement at Dickinson College “Reading this book is like sitting and having a friendly and frank conversation with Sarah herself where she fills you in on the lessons she’s learned during her fascinating and varied career.” — Anne C. Richard, former Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) at U.S. Department of State “This book describes the power and paradox of humanitarian service.” — Daryl Byler, Development Director, DC Bar Foundation and former Executive Director, Eastern Mennonite University’s Center for Justice and Peacebuilding “This is an excellent book for any person young or old who is contemplating working as a humanitarian in the field or a headquarters.” — Colonel Brian Foster (Ret.), U.S. Army “In this book, readers will see their shared story in the face of crisis and learn hands-on ways to respond to the needs around them. Because while the world does need each one of us, Sarah shows us that we also really need the world.”— Lisa-Jo Baker, bestselling author of Never Unfriended and Cohost of the Out of the Ordinary Podcast Bring Rain stands for the proposition that each of us can—indeed must —serve this noble principle of humanity no matter what specific professional path we ultimately choose to travel.”— Eric Schwartz, President of Refugees International and former Dean, Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota “This book is heartfelt, informative, moving, and educational.” — Lindsay Musser Hough, Principal at Deloitte Consulting and Author of A Woman’s Framework for a Successful Career and Life Sarah Dawn Petrin is a humanitarian and an educator from Maine. Born in an African village during a season of drought, Sarah has helped refugees since she was 15 years old.

282 pages, Paperback

First published March 22, 2021

Reviews

[Joan M Maruskin]

Bring Rain begins with an invitation to the readers to pack our bags, grab our passports and put on our traveling shoes and journey to unknown places to help others in need. This thought is delightful and enticing. The book is an intriguing, interesting, and compelling look into the life and work of a widely travelled humanitarian. Written as a conversational dialogue, it provides insight and possibilities for readers of any age seeking to understand what it means to be a humanitarian and hoping to help build a better world through acts of kindness and compassion.

It is both a textbook and an autobiography. Therein lies its charm and compels the reader to continue reading. I believe this book can be educational, inspirational and life changing. It is a great read for individual, classes, and book clubs.

I received and ARC copy from the author and am posting my honest review.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an early release copy (ARC) from the author and I’m leaving my honest review.
This book showed me how a humanitarian’s life can be so very fulfilling and effective. Sarah details how someone might begin to prepare for a life of service, wherever they are and whatever their personal goal might be. The personal experiences Sarah has had, in many other countries, made this reader want to keep on reading, right through to the end. I would recommend Bring Rain to anyone who’s determined to make a difference in our world. Bonnie Stevenson

[Scotch Perdue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an important book to read - it tells so many stories that would not be heard otherwise. It gives much needed perspective from a lifetime of experience offering a unique vantage point. Well worth the time!

[Jon Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book! Particularly for anyone looking to go in to humanitarian aid work. It clearly walks through ways to get started, introduces the complexities of aid work, frankly discusses the dangers. Really well put together.