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Witness to Africa: Ten Years on the Frontlines is a compelling memoir of dedication, disillusionment, and resilience. For a decade, Dr. James navigated the complex realities of medical aid in Ghana, Zambia, Angola, and Malawi, witnessing firsthand the triumphs and failures of humanitarian work. From remote villages to overburdened hospitals, the book explores the human stories behind global health efforts, exposing the contradictions of international aid-where generosity and self-interest often collide. Through gripping narratives, it reveals the challenges of treating patients in resource-poor settings, the frustrations of bureaucracy, and the clash between Western intervention and local traditions. More than a memoir, this book is a raw and honest account of life on the ground, shedding light on the politics of aid, the resilience of African communities, and the moral dilemmas faced by those working in the field. For readers of humanitarian memoirs, global health, and African affairs, Witness to Africa is an eye-opening journey into a world rarely seen beyond news headlines.

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A Life Dedicated to Service and Truth Dr. Pietro Giacomo Menolfi-known as Dr. James or Dr. Tiago-has spent his life in service, exploration, and an unyielding pursuit of truth. His memoir, Witness to Africa: Ten Years on the Frontlines, reveals both triumphs and deep flaws of humanitarian work. Born in 1952 in northern Italy, he first pursued faith in the seminary but later felt called to medicine. After a decade as a rural doctor in the Italian Alps, Africa beckoned. In 1990, he embarked on a journey that changed him forever. His years in Ghana, Zambia, and Angola exposed him to both the beauty and contradictions of Africa. He saw selfless dedication but also staggering incompetence in NGOs, where bureaucracy often overshadowed genuine aid efforts. As support dwindled, he returned to Europe, yet his bond with Africa remained unbreakable. He adopted two sons-one from Ghana, one from Angola-embracing not just legal ties but the deeper African concept of family. His quest for service continued in the UK, Malta, and Iceland. Since 2017, he has called Lisbon home, though Africa still holds his heart. The Cost of Truth His honesty made him a pariah in certain circles. His critiques of NGO corruption led to exclusion and rejection. While experience is valued in politics, business, and even the papacy, humanitarian organizations dismiss those who refuse to conform. Why? Because truth is dangerous in an industry built on illusion. NGOs, preaching transparency, often conceal the same careerism and corruption they claim to fight. The Tragic Hero of Humanitarianism Dr. James is no loser-his life is a saga of surreal encounters, bureaucratic nightmares, and battles against inefficiency. A modern Don Quixote, he fights not windmills, but pompous incompetents, corrupt priests, and NGOs that make Italian bureaucracy look efficient. Yet, he is not merely a victim of a broken system-he is its witness. And he refuses to stay silent. The Legacy of Dr. James His legacy is not just in his work but in the uncomfortable questions he forces us to ask. He challenges us to see beyond glossy NGO reports, to reject complacency, and to demand real change. As he continues his journey, one dream remains: to return to Africa, not as a guest, but as a citizen-because in the end, Africa gives, Africa takes, and Africa changes you forever.

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