Inexperience

Throughout the book, Conor points out that he is hopelessly inexperienced. Do you think it matters? Do you think he has to be an expert in doing this to volunteer? Would his work be easier if he had more experience with children?

The status of the children

Do you think the children were better off at home with their families or at one of the shelters? At home in Humla, they would be with their families, but would be struggling to survive. At the shelters, the children were clothed and educated, but were apart from their families. Which situation is better?

Names

Some of the names of people in the book are obscured. One of the guides is D.B., for example. Other people are not named at all. And yet, Golkka is named. Given that this is a true story, why did the author give...