Review by bethany050 -- Long Walk on a Dry Road

[bethany050]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Long Walk on a Dry Road" by Jon Kaufman.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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Jon Kaufmann’s Long walk on a dry road is an autobiographical tale of a life mission to revitalize and change the way non-profit organizations conduct their initiatives globally. Through the Narrator’s practical view, you get to see the non-profit world in a new light; you begin to question whether the status quo on how humanitarian initiatives are conducted is actually helping. You also realize that sometimes good intentions can hurt more than help.

The book is filled with many different ventures from Haiti to Kenya all equally engaging all building upon the lessons of the previous tale and venture. As the Narrator takes you on his journey of the last 10-15 years you also grow along with him and mature in your way of thinking. It really grabs you in with its down to earth message and writing style – which at times has the remanence of a conversation with the author.

Kaufmann also draws on real current events both political and environmental, showing the reader a realistic picture of how the big stories of our times impact the volunteers on the ground. Along with this, Kaufmann emphasizes the need for empowerment of the people in need – something that is often overlooked in humanitarian initiatives. He demonstrates how Community Enterprise is an alternative to traditional methods and a very efficient way of ending poverty. Kaufmann often backs this up through statics and his experiences on the ground to form the compelling case for Community Enterprise which makes for an insightful and informative read at times.

Overall, A long walk on a dry road by Jon Kaufmann is a fascinating read. I would encourage anyone who reads this book to expect to learn a lot about Charities that you did not know and also to mature in your world view along with the writer as you are exposed to the reality of what it's like to try to change peoples lives one at a time.

And for these reasons listed above I give the Book 3 out of 4 stars:
Although it is initially a slow read at first and does contain a few errors the message and the perspective that the author is trying to display far outshines this. The unspoken truths and lessons expressed in this book made for an overall fantastic read and even has made me want to think more consciously about how charitable aid can be a force for good and independence when done effectively.

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Long Walk on a Dry Road
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