CARING ACROSS CONTINENTS

About the Book

This book is following the journey of the author through her life in the 20th Century in a changing world. It is written in a freestyle recording significant events that impacted the author’s life. It gives family and personal history unique to the author with perceptions of life starting in Cape Town South Africa and travelling to the UK to train in a profession that influenced the author’s life for many years, picking up experiences that made an impression on a young life influencing decisions as she experiences maturing in working and social environments. It is written in chronological order mostly but as memories become relevant to the narrative there is a jump in time. Some of the events are recalled in the past tense but there was an event that had to be recorded in the present tense because it gives the flavour of my parent and family scene which is very different from what would have been had the event been in the present day. It was that of my husband -to -be proposing marriage by letter and getting permission from my parents. Some would say those were Victorian values. I hope that what comes across in the book is someone who faced challenges and found ways to overcome them whilst maintaining a sense of humour and lightness that demonstrates a woman that is resilient and who lives by principles of trust, respect, dignity and recognition that people have their own history that shapes their personality and helps to cope with life.

About the Author

As an author Brendah has come to this book through years of experiencing living and working in many countries and across three continents. Her professional life started as a general nurse and midwife and she moved to education in her mature years after studying for a degree and teacher qualification in the UK. She also trained as a psychotherapist in Transactional Analysis in the UK and practiced in the UK and South Africa. She used her experiences in working with people in the field of mental health to share with others how to communicate as an individual and in groups and used theories learnt in her training and observing people. As a person she has been convinced that we can use spiritual practices like mindfulness to improve self-development and learn to control our emotions and offers techniques to others including children on how to learn calming techniques and feel more in control of their own lives. The book follows her progress professionally and as a woman of colour living across cultures.