Jack Rathmell knew that after he graduated from high school he wanted to make a difference in the world. When his plans for college didn’t pan out, he researched other opportunities with world organizations. But most programs he looked into either cost a lot of money or required a long list of achievements, neither of which he had. His solution landed with voluntourism, and he found a position outside Cape Town, South Africa, teaching sports to schoolchildren.

Rathmell recounts his experiences there, as well as his time going back to the country to complete two college degrees, in his memoir, How the Rhino Lost His Horn: Cautionary Tales From Appalachia to Africa. He realized life near Cape Town would be different from his small community in rural Pennsylvania the moment he flew in, passing over slums as his plane came in for a landing. He soon learned that navigating the ins and outs of staying safe while living and interacting with people in a complicated country would not be easy.

Rathmell doesn’t flinch when looking at the problems of the country he came to love or the issues with volunteer organizations that promise the ability for young people to make a difference. He examines his own flaws as well as those of his fellow volunteers and the system that may or may not be helpful to the local community.

How The Rhino Lost His Horn is an interesting read for anyone who wants a perspective on South Africa and its many challenges, our own place in confronting similar challenges throughout the world, and the realities we face in trying to contribute.

The publisher provided a copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.