Book Review: Strength in What Remains

Just finished Reunion in Barsaloni by Corinne Hofmann and Strength in What Remains by Tracy Kidder over the weekend. Will like to share the latter story as it left a bigger impression.

Strength in What Remains gives the account of Deo, a medical student from Burundi who survived 2 genocides and escaped to New York with just 200 dollars, not knowing anyone there nor speak any English. He slept in open parks and abandoned places, working as a delivery boy in the initial years. Through his sheer hard work and the help of strangers, he eventually went on to graduate from Columbia as well as Harvard University. His journey is a testament of the human spirit. Not only of himself but also of the people who helped him. He went on to set up a clinic (http://villagehealthworks.org/) in his country. The clinic not only improves the health of the people but its presence is also a big step forward in rebuilding peace and hope in the troubled region.

Like to share some of the quotes from the book that left an impression on me.

"To be a poor man is hard, but to be a poor race in a land of dollars is the very bottom of hardships."

Sadly this is true. When one is poor in a poor place, things are not as expensive and one does not feel much worse off as everyone is just as poor. In addition, poor people are known to be generous folks who share whatever little they have. However when one is poor in a rich place, it is very tough mentally as well as financially.

"You will not pay a penny for this road. We become so much sick because we are poor, but we are not poor because we are lazy."

The above is said by a Burundi woman who helped in building a road to his clinic. There is another woman volunteer whose three children have already died. She carried another sick child of hers as she works. She said :

“Instead of staying at home watching my baby die, I would rather come and join others because at least then my contribution can save someone else’s child.”

Its amazing the tenacity in human spirit. One can only imagine the sufferings they have gone through. Yet these brave people never give up and strives to be a beacon of hope to others!!