EXTENDED REVIEW from USA by CecilRhodes The Dream From Dust: A Memoir of Triumph Against all odds "No matter how difficult life may be, you can still change your life for the better because dreams can be built from dust and transformed into reality" The Dream from Dust is a memoir of Lukonge Achilees who was born and raised in poverty. It is a very personal account in which he shares the challenges he encountered while growing up. He shares how his parents experienced the atrocities of war and how these civil wars within his country shaped his life. He recounts how extreme poverty affected his childhood and how their financial situation made his dream of studying in university almost impossible. However, despite all odds, the author was able to graduate and land a job as a social worker in the Pelletier Teenage Mother’s Foundation where he was able to create a lasting impact to the organization through the trainings that he designed. The memoir also gives you a glimpse of Lukonge’s personal life, such as his relationship with his family, friends and how these bonds have shaped him to be the person that he is today. When I was reading the book, I could tell the amount of effort that the author has placed into writing the story. It is a very personal account of his life that even included his most intimate moments which is an act that requires a lot of bravery. I particularly like that he shared his struggles with his studies. He was just an average student, that it seemed his dream of pursuing further studies in a university was almost impossible. He also candidly revealed how his struggles didn’t end when he was finally accepted into a university. Reading about the obstacles that he experienced while he was still studying, provides an insight into the many challenges that students from a less fortunate background would face. I also appreciate that he admitted how these challenges almost led him to give up on his dreams because it shows that striving for a better life isn’t an easy road, especially for someone living in poverty. Another aspect that makes the book unique is that it isn’t just a memoir, it also has a collection of motivational and inspirational advice that is grounded in religion. Most memoirs generally just focus on the author’s life and it is up to the reader to discover the hidden gems on what motivated the author to transform into the person that they are. However, in The Dream from Dust, these lessons are listed out for the reader. The author’s background in history and the amount of research placed in writing the story is also evident. Lukonge Achilees provides a rich historical account of the civil wars in the country. It is incredibly helpful because it allows the reader to understand how these events shaped his life especially if they are not familliar with the country’s history. After reading The Dream from Dust, the effort that the author has placed to share his story with the world is clear Overall, The Dream from Dust is a moving memoir of an individual who overcame the hardships of life and it is always touching to read about a person breaking free from the cycle of poverty. Though this book isn’t for me, it may be helpful for those who are experiencing similar circumstances as the memoir can motivate them to overcome their ordeals. This story is a reminder that your current situation does not define you.

EXTENDED #REVIEW from Tabby reviewed from United States The Dream From Dust: A Memoir of Triumph Against all odds “Happiness is not the absence of problems, but the ability to deal with them” The Dream from Dust recounts Achilees' life. Through the many challenges of famine, poverty, disease, alcoholism and war, he emphasises the value of pursuing your dream and always being grateful for what you have and the people around you. Serving as one of my first insights into life in Uganda, this story touched my heart and reminded me to never take life for granted. We progress through the story in chronological order, beginning with the Uganda-Tanzania war. As someone who has never been to Africa, it was eye-opening to read a first-person perspective on life there. From the history of Uganda to the challenges faced by people there, the author provides a dive into Ugandan culture. This alone I feel already makes this book worth the read. It is not often you get such a deep view into another culture. The stories shared by the author include his family life, school life, and experience doing social work. I loved reading through his stories – some left me sorrowful, others angry. Many explore the multifacetedness of people. Additionally, the fiction-like descriptions helped me immerse into the story – it was easy to feel for the author and others. Through these stories, the themes of always fighting for your dreams and being grateful are hammered home. That being said, the matters covered in this book are heavy and may not be suitable for everyone. Topics include the aforementioned famine, poverty, disease, alcoholism and war, as well as HIV/AIDS, trauma, and physical and verbal abuse. With how deeply the author explores most of these topics, I would not recommend if you're to be affected.