Don't feel sorry for refugees -- believe in them

This is an old book but still relevant today. It’s a critical account of aid organizations, and it can be quite depressing. Aid organizations rely heavily on the tragedies of the world to keep themselves relevant and employed. The contracts that are awarded rarely benefit those they are intended to help. Non-profits are supposed to work their way out of a job and solve the problem they are trying to address. We have failed miserably with regards to refugees as the largest number of displaced people is during our lifetime.

This book was my introduction to meditation and has encouraged me to keep a beginner's mind. To stay curious, humble and always a student. One quote from the book: 'In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s there are few.' I revisit this book every few years, as I get something new out of it each time.

This is a must-read for everyone working with our organization. Treat people with dignity and respect and empower those you are serving. When helping others, don’t think about yourself and what makes you feel good. In the last 14 years since I founded the Fugees, I have seen so many well-intentioned people do more damage to those they were trying to help.

Ishmael writes beautifully and brings to life those affected by war. I can't say enough about this book. It's one of the most popular books in our high school, giving voice to the voiceless. Some parts are heartbreaking; other parts will make you laugh out loud. It shows more than anything else the strength and resilience of the human spirit.

A powerful book on the questions of identity. Chimamanda makes the ideas of race, color and gender real in the context of the sexual, political, religious and intellectual cultures of America. It's a must-read for all immigrants, as the question of identity and race is so much more complicated than just black or white. A great work of fiction.