World Citizen: Journeys of a Humanitarian

by Jane Olson

These stories are about light and hope in the midst of unimaginable human suffering in war zones and places of extreme poverty around the world. Important lessons from a childhood in rural western Iowa are woven throughout, as are examples of human strength and resiliency. Each chapter can be read as a complete experience. Intimate details recorded by the author in journals and on film take the reader on memorable journeys with international human rights and humanitarian organizations. Despite being plunged into war zones, crowded refugee camps, and some of the poorest and most disease-affected places on the planet, we learn the life-saving impact of humanitarian intervention, the healing power of community, the importance of justice, and the truth that one caring person can indeed make a difference. To be a World Citizen is to embrace and champion the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, knowing that all lives are valuable and equally deserving of protection and support.

429 pages, Hardcover

Published January 4, 2022

Reviews

[Michael Gillespie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paradoxically, World Citizen: Journeys of a Humanitarian is hard to put down, even though author Jane Olson recounts the magnitude of human suffering caused by wars throughout the world. She has a gift for empathic understanding and compassionate response. Each story that she tells of her experiences with the victims of war, of their torture and displacement, holds both the recognition that war denigrates us as human beings, no matter what side we are on, and yet somehow produces a resilience that shines through its survivors, often in the form of hope.

She accomplishes her journalistic endeavors as a daughter, mother, friend, and social activist, working with leading aid organizations to tackle how to bring aid relief in ways that matter to the people receiving it. Such a perspective is rare in that she brings to light a way of being in the world—not as outside expert and fixer—but as someone who can sit with victims, listen closely, record their needs and communicate them to aid organizations.

Two themes emerge that matter for us all who care about alleviating human suffering. Finding and acknowledging the dignity in those who are suffering before taking action is key to effective witnessing. Compassionate witnessing then becomes a powerful tool. Those recovering from trauma are able to see themselves anew, as resourceful survivors. Recognition of their human dignity and their capabilities enabled many of those struggling through trauma to re-imagine their circumstances in ways that allowed them to move forward. And throughout the stories Olson herself becomes more effective as a witness and activist.

We leave Olson’s book eager to contribute to the alleviation of human suffering, not just through trips designed to document human rights abuses as she does so masterfully, but also through showing up and being present wherever one lands, whatever suffering is before us.

[Literary Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane Olson’s World Citizen is a poignant and insightful memoir that chronicles the author’s extraordinary experiences in war-torn regions across the globe. As a humanitarian and advocate, Olson’s travels from the Balkans to Africa and beyond are not just physical journeys but profound explorations into the human condition. Her experiences, which range from confronting the horrors of war to the simple act of knitting with women in a refugee camp, weave a tapestry of resilience and compassion and show the enduring power of human connection.

Olson’s writing is both vivid and empathetic, effortlessly transporting readers to the heart of each scene. Her ability to balance descriptive storytelling with reflective insights is one thing that kept me coming back to this book again and again. It created a narrative that is as educational as it is engaging. Particularly compelling is her use of first-person perspective, which brings an intimate and authentic feel to her encounters.

The book is a thoughtful meditation on humanity’s capacity for destruction and incredible resilience. Olson delves deep into the implications of events, challenging readers to confront difficult truths about war, displacement, and the human spirit. Her reflections on witnessing atrocities and the resilience of those affected are thought-provoking and urge a reconsideration of our roles in a global community.

One moment I particularly enjoyed in the book is Olson’s account of knitting with women in a refugee camp. This seemingly simple activity becomes a powerful metaphor for healing and unity amidst chaos. Also, her interaction with a comandante in Nicaragua and a young prostitute turned seamstress highlights her ability to find hope in despairing situations, which I think is a testament to Olson’s empathy and insight.

World Citizen: Journeys of a Humanitarian is a must-read biography for anyone interested in humanitarian work, global affairs, or the extraordinary strength of the human spirit. Olson’s experiences and reflections are a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have in a troubled world.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful stories in a way that understand how other people have had struggles because of the way wars have decimated other areas. I grew up in a different world yet so much the same in my intentions towards wanting to help others. I grew up in a Christian environment but not so well that although I loved learning I didn't finish college. Being abused at different ages growing up and then being raped a few days before high school prom not knowing how to move forward while also trying to navigate living somewhere in finding a safe place to live was a problem. Marrying a friend thinking they were a soulmate when they caused the most damage to my heart and not even realizing how toxic the relationship was until almost 18 years later after finding out that they were preying on their own child and other girls. Now I am left with the struggle of finding a career to support the child and help her heal all the psychological damage done to her at such a young age when she doesn't do well without being by my side. I see the book triggered everything I am going through at the moment but also guided me to inspiration in the fact that I still want to create some sort of retreat for children with their good parent/guardian that can find creative ways with nature to help heal hearts and souls. I understand the need for helping others in the world but I feel that helping the unspoken issues here in the states may help others want to speak up about things that get swept under the rug so often. The lack of support and resources for those in these situations is a lot more than is said. So happy for Jane's honesty and resilience in what she worked for and helped so many others, the people and joy that she was able to spread and learn from is immeasurable. I wish so many could read this book to realize the state of the world isn't rainbows and ribbons and work towards a goal for all to have happiness in life not at the pain inflicted on others.

[Meri McCoy-Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated that Jane Olson wrote this book about her adventures trying to help people around the world. As someone who has also devoted my career to working with and for people on the margins, I can see how Jane devoted so much of her time, heart, and financial resources to this cause. She describes the challenges she finds all over the world so well, and we really are taken on quite a journey in the book. That being said, Jane's story feels a little bit like she sees herself as a "white savior" for others, for she is a volunteer who is tasked with seeing the problems on the ground and trying to get more visibility for them. I think she accomplished this role well. I would have liked to hear a little more about the professionals on her team and their analysis of what were the root causes of the problems and what solutions we should be trying to solve those problems. In other words, some reflection on her role in the whole picture--what she could do well and what others could be called to do. That being said, after reading finishing the book, I just want to say thank you to her for a life well lived.