Monique and the Mango Rains: Two Years with a Midwife in Mali

Pascal’s death takes a toll on Monique’s health. She loses weight and, according to Holloway, is clearly not her usual self.

Despite a brief rain, several villagers show up to continue their work on the birthing house. The remaining the villagers, particularly the women, work to sow the fields with beans and peanuts. Monique confides in Holloway about how much she misses Pascal.

Her marriage to Francois continues to burden her, as he flaunts how he takes her hard-earned money to buy things for himself. He wants to sell the motorcycle for a moped because Monique is too short to operate the moped. All of Francois’s actions are derived from his bitterness and jealousy of Monique. Holloway encourages Monique to take some time away from the village to clear her mind and refresh her soul.

The birthing house project is finally completed and is a resounding success. Monique is thrilled with the updates to the building, including the additional beds, the new birthing chair, and the new roof. She also tells Holloway that she will slowly introduce information about the dangers of genital mutilation to the villagers.

Monique is allowed to take a vacation to visit her aunt and uncle; while she is gone, Holloway and Henri run the clinic.