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pianorunner421's review
4.0
Once again I really wish GoodReads would update the system to allow half stars. This was a 3.5 for me. I rounded up because the stories are so important and I knew nothing about this until I read the book. I found the prose got a little long and redundant toward the end. I didn’t want to get bored or complacent about reading but I did.
bibliomaineiac's review
4.0
I received this book in a giveaway on Goodreads. It was interesting, heartbreaking, humbling and enjoyable, all rolled into one book. The stories of what one woman, of little means, has done to aid those she doesn't even know, are amazing. The dangers those in other countries face, in just day to day living, is astonishing. This book will definitely make you feel fortunate for your circumstances.
amymorgan's review
4.0
I am giving this book 4 stars mainly because of the story itself. I am not sure if this was translated but the writing for me was not superb so perhaps if it was translated it just did not come over as well as it should have. Having said that, the story of Gladys was many things. It was heroic, heartbreaking, courageous, inspiring, frustrating and thought provoking. This woman, a poor reporter from Uganda with nothing to gain for herself champions these poor lost, abandoned and/or unwanted children. Even when it costs her more than she has physically, emotionally and monetarily she does not give up on these children because she believes they deserve more.
The story begins with a newspaper column highlighting these lost and abandoned children, trying to reunite them with their families. The fight that Gladys puts up for her "kids" is a miracle and a blessing that they never could have expected and one that some of them don't deserve. But she never loses faith and never gives up. The lengths Gladys goes to for her children, and often their families after they are reunited is awe inspiring. This is a story of one incredible and unique human being that the world could only be so lucky to have more people like her.
The story begins with a newspaper column highlighting these lost and abandoned children, trying to reunite them with their families. The fight that Gladys puts up for her "kids" is a miracle and a blessing that they never could have expected and one that some of them don't deserve. But she never loses faith and never gives up. The lengths Gladys goes to for her children, and often their families after they are reunited is awe inspiring. This is a story of one incredible and unique human being that the world could only be so lucky to have more people like her.
oviedorose's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
4.0
jooniperd's review
3.0
this is a worthwhile read, and i am glad jessica yu has been able to share gladys kalibbala's wonderful story with readers.
kalibbala is a journalist in kampala, uganda. in her weekly column for a national newspaper, her focus is on stories of homeless children - in an effort to reunite these kids with family members, if at all possible. kalibbala seems like a very altruistic person. she is not even remotely well off, yet becomes personally involved in many of these children's lives - securing medical care, housing, schooling, families... and often takes children in herself. kalibbala works long hours and travels great distances, all in huge-hearted service to the children. (seriously... because of her financial situation, she lives a couple of hours away from kampala, so makes that commute each day, and often has to travel (ruggedly) to remote villages hundreds of kilometres away during the course of one working day. sometimes, if she's lucky, she manages a 2 or 3 of hours of sleep at home in a night.) a reviewer in publishers weekly said this of kalibbala, "Her personality and implacable determination mark every anecdote, most of which radiate an essential optimism even when the ending is not unqualifiedly happy. " and it is absolutely true.
in this same review, it is noted "This is deeply researched personal journalism, but the focus is so close that a broader context—whether of Uganda’s history, the African AIDS crisis, or the struggles of developing countries in general—rarely comes through. Yu’s intense close-up on her charismatic heroine results in an inspirational narrative but neglects that story’s dense, complicated background." and i very much agree here. while i did appreciate this book very much, i constantly felt like something was missing, and wanted more depth to the issues the city and country are experiencing. there is a root to the abandoned and homeless children of kampala and i feel an exploration of these concerns would have really complemented the narrative.
my quibbles aside, i am very glad to have learned about gladys kalibbala, and the incredible work she is doing in uganda.
kalibbala is a journalist in kampala, uganda. in her weekly column for a national newspaper, her focus is on stories of homeless children - in an effort to reunite these kids with family members, if at all possible. kalibbala seems like a very altruistic person. she is not even remotely well off, yet becomes personally involved in many of these children's lives - securing medical care, housing, schooling, families... and often takes children in herself. kalibbala works long hours and travels great distances, all in huge-hearted service to the children. (seriously... because of her financial situation, she lives a couple of hours away from kampala, so makes that commute each day, and often has to travel (ruggedly) to remote villages hundreds of kilometres away during the course of one working day. sometimes, if she's lucky, she manages a 2 or 3 of hours of sleep at home in a night.) a reviewer in publishers weekly said this of kalibbala, "Her personality and implacable determination mark every anecdote, most of which radiate an essential optimism even when the ending is not unqualifiedly happy. " and it is absolutely true.
in this same review, it is noted "This is deeply researched personal journalism, but the focus is so close that a broader context—whether of Uganda’s history, the African AIDS crisis, or the struggles of developing countries in general—rarely comes through. Yu’s intense close-up on her charismatic heroine results in an inspirational narrative but neglects that story’s dense, complicated background." and i very much agree here. while i did appreciate this book very much, i constantly felt like something was missing, and wanted more depth to the issues the city and country are experiencing. there is a root to the abandoned and homeless children of kampala and i feel an exploration of these concerns would have really complemented the narrative.
my quibbles aside, i am very glad to have learned about gladys kalibbala, and the incredible work she is doing in uganda.
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