Summary

In Chapter 18, just a few months into her job, Zoe is already feeling overwhelmed. Her friend, Mariatu tells her to enjoy the beautiful day and Zoe feels ashamed because Mariatu has had such a difficult life but is still able to enjoy it. During the war in Sierra Leone, Mariatu was attacked by soldiers, leaving a scar on one check, while teaching her students. Her students were taken away and trained to use assault rifles.

Zoe is trying to mediate between a group of women farmers with whom the company for which she works agreed to a contract for a loan, and the men of that same village. The village is to be the site of a visit by one of her company’s biggest donors. Her contact in Bujumbura tells Zoe that in order for the men to let their wives out...