Ritu Sharma

What is the best way to lift communities in developing countries out of poverty? This book is much more than just another story of an American working within a non-profit organization. What sets this book apart is the focus on empowering women to make their voices heard. Much of the book tells stories of women from Sri Lanka, Nicaragua, Honduras and Burkina Faso who work tirelessly to feed the families, provide education for their children and speak out for the rights of women. Equally inspiring is the work of the author to link US foreign aid to gender issues around the world. This book makes a compelling case for the United States to take a renewed interest in using diplomatic strategies and international aid to break the cycle of poverty through the empowerment of women. The author also offers very practical tips for US citizens to make their voices heard on this issue. Highly recommended for everyone concerned about world-wide poverty and gender issues.… (més)

Teach a Woman to Fish tells the inspiring story of women from financially poor areas in the world. Under very difficult circumstances, these women have used their creativity and intellect to make effective changes to their local culture by forming various women's groups to support and advocate for what they need.
Despite some awkward portions, I found the conversational style of presentation was successful. As Ritu Sharma points out, one of the connections between women is the storytelling, so it makes sense to use that approach here. It is "showing" the women's lives rather than "telling" which furthers the reader's empathy. It also helps to show the clear passion that Sharma has for women's rights.
On the other hand, there are some disjointed jumps between topics occasionally. As well, in her effort to keep it conversational, Sharma sometimes makes complicated issues sound too simplistic.
There is some good information and hopefully it will inspire readers to seek out more books on the topic or get involved in some way.… (més)

These are brave and courageous women that Ritu Sharma introduces us to in her world-vision book, “Teach A Woman to Fish”. Each night after my “hard day” I’d crawl into my cozy, clean bed, tummy full, and read by the warm glow of my nightlight about the difficult lives of other women in Sri Lanka, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Burkina Faso. Suddenly my “hard day” became a cake walk compared to the daily struggles these women endure such as walking miles for water, growing all their food, and having minimal, if any, electricity. Although I finished reading it weeks ago, their accounts have been in my thoughts almost daily as I go about my comfortable life and they serve as reminders to me to keep life in perspective.

I am the daughter of an immigrant, a survivor of war ravaged Europe. I’m grateful for all the shared stories of enduring hunger, the humiliation of not being able to provide for your family, the degradation of your country being occupied by foreign forces, the sense of hopelessness in the daily struggle to survive. Be it from war, poor economic development, or natural disaster, people everywhere share the same basic needs and they want the same: to be able to live and provide for their family. I challenge anyone to read this eye-opening book and not feel humbled by the lives of these beautiful, gracious, and strong women. Ritu Sharma has my respect for her dedication and my gratitude for sharing her life’s work and for teaching me ways to help and how to fish better!… (més)