How the Mzungu Finds Her Feet
DESIDERIUM
Latest novel
Ruth Ross has adopted Tanzania as home for her and her new baby. However, on discovering the seriousness of her father's illness, she is compelled to return home. Back on Scottish soil, Ruth finds herself beset with difficulties.
Growing up in North Wales with a mother who taught English as a second language and a father who was a modern languages teacher, it was not unusual for Sue to find herself in the company of people from other countries and cultures.
Here’s a little bit about me
Debut novel
Ruth Ross has just stepped off the plane in East Africa. She is full of expectation for the adventure ahead. However, the apparent indifference of her guide and an incident at the airport not to mention her choice of footwear - make her question how prepared she really is.
Ruth meets Naomi. Inspired by Naomi's vision for the impoverished of Mwanza, Ruth finds new purpose and decides to knuckle down. Meeting Naomi's son, Andi, is an added bonus. But how much does Ruth really know about him?
In Africa, much as at home in Scotland, Ruth faces challenges in her work and her personal life. Jealousy, lies, unimaginable tragedy and a life changing choice test her as never before.
Will she sink or swim?
What my readers are saying
Amazon Review
“How the Mzungu Finds her Feet is a delightful story, well written and descriptive, I could really feel the characters in this book. There is happiness, sadness, love and loss. I will be looking out for other books by the same author.”
Amazon Review
I thoroughly enjoyed this book it gripped me from the start and I didn’t put it down until I had finished it. I wanted more and I hope the next one will give me that.
Good Reads Review
“Thought this was a really great piece of writing genius, with rich descriptions that made the characters jump off the page. An enjoying and compelling story from a first time writer .”
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Gallery portfolio
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Children playing at Victoria Café
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Rose Reading the new book
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Reader in Sydney
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Latest book in Vietnam
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Local children playing
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Reader in Tokyo
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Reader in Vietnam
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Reader in Sydney
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At the Kelpies
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Liverpool book festival
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Liverpool book festival
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Liverpool book festival
Charity projects
Rose and Sue first met in the late 1980s and soon become friends. Rose has a wealth of experience working as a national journalist and editor for the former 'Daily News’ of Tanzania. She went on to work as resident representative for Swiss aid Tanzania where she play a key role in the establishment of over 300 community based groups.
Rose and Sue lost contact for a while but, happily, a few years ago were brought back in touch again. During this time Rose had become a church leader with a largely poverty-stricken congregation based on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam.
Rose approached Sue for help in writing funding proposals to potential donors. It soon became clear though that this was not going to be easy. After much deliberation, an income-generating project was finally decided upon and the Victoria Cafe was born.
With the help of friends, Sue has raised funds to support a few small-scale projects which have included the Victoria cafe, soap making and hen rearing enterprises as well as vital work providing shelter and food for vulnerable women and children and a safe space with play equipment for the younger children. Some money has also been used for medical emergencies. At the time of writing there is no official registered charity. Help is provided very much on the basis of need and is given in trust due to the long standing association between Sue and Rose.
