All posts by Liz Chandler

A new venture

The Diapalante Centre’s first course for 60 talibés is approaching the end of a successful year. The boys have been learning to read and write in Wolof, their mother tongue, along with some basic maths and fun science activities.

The early teething problems are giving way to the relief of a job well done. Thank you and congratulations to the Centre staff and the large team of volunteers who have supported the boys and made learning fun. Last but not least we also send thanks to our funders.

The Girl With The Louding Voice

The Girl With The Louding Voice by Abi Daré.

Abi Daré’s debut novel The Girl With the Louding Voice is a story about a teenage Nigerian girl called Adunni who becomes a maid and struggles with many things growing up, including her limited education, poverty as well as her ability to speak up for herself. (Wikipedia)

Our next book club meeting on Sunday May 16th at 3pm. If you would enjoy reading African literature, you are welcome to joing us as we explore these books together. To get the meeting link add your contact details here.

The Shadow King, Maaza Mengiste

Our next book club meeting takes place on Sunday 11th April at 3pm. If you would enjoy reading African literature, you are welcome to joing us as we explore these books together. To get the meeting link add your contact details here.

Ethiopia. 1935. With the threat of Mussolini’s army looming, recently orphaned Hirut struggles to adapt to her new life as a maid. Her new employer, Kidane, an officer in Emperor Haile Selassie’s army, rushes to mobilise his strongest men before the Italians invade.
Hirut and the other women long to do more than care for the wounded and bury the dead. When Emperor Haile Selassie goes into exile and Ethiopia quickly loses hope, it is Hirut who offers a plan to maintain morale. She helps disguise a gentle peasant as the emperor and soon becomes his guard, inspiring other women to take up arms. But how could she have predicted her own personal war, still to come, as a prisoner of one of Italy’s most vicious officers?
The Shadow King casts light on the women soldiers written out of African and European history. It is a captivating exploration of female power, and what it means to be a woman at war.