Sumbawanga Safari

Jo-Anne Mary Benson is the book review columnist for Ottawa Parent
magazine.

Betty Kilgour’s fascination with Africa began when she was a child.
Her longtime dream of visiting Africa was finally realized in 1976, when
she, her husband, and her daughter served a two-year term in Tanzania
with CUSO. This book, which recounts Kilgour’s third visit to the
Kilangala Mission, takes readers to a place where a cow and its milk and
blankets for crib beds make the greatest of gifts. In this community,
self-sufficiency is a major goal. Kilgour’s accounts of her visits to
the children’s home, the medical facilities, the Bible school, and
other destinations reflect the growth and positive changes she has
observed over the years.

To reach Sumbawanga, Kilgour had to travel a considerable distance
overland from Dar es Salaam. Her description of this portion of her
journey gives readers a glimpse of the landscape, people, and culture.
Although not always free-flowing, Kilgour’s narrative sheds light on
the mission station and its achievements.