Health, Haiti Focus of Fall Book Project

Health, Haiti focus of fall book project

Sharon Stello

Enterprise staff writer

Published: September 26, 2008

If you've wanted a little more pizzazz from your monthly book club, maybe this will inspire you.

More than 30 events are planned for this fall's Campus Community Book Project, which focuses on "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Pulitzer Prize-winning author TracyKidder.

Community members are encouraged to read the same book and then participate in discussions, attend the author's talk and other related events. The project was started as a way to bring people together after Sept. 11, 2001.

This year's book follows Dr. Paul Farmer, who sets out to fight tuberculosis and AIDS in Haiti, one of the world's poorest countries. He began the work as a Harvard medical student and continued long after graduation, expanding to other countries and helping to shape response by international health agencies dealing with drug resistant strains of tuberculosis.

The book project's diverse lineup includes lectures, discussions, art exhibits, film screenings and more. All are free and open to the public, except for the author's Dec. 1 talk at the Mondavi Center, which requires tickets. However, Kidder will participate in a free panel discussion earlier that day.

While many events concentrate on health issues, they also touch on social sciences and the UC Davis centennial theme of service to community, said book project coordinator Mikael Villalobos.

"I think it really sparks our interest in terms of what we can do, not just in Haiti, but in our communities," Villalobos said. "It really is a call to action for how we can serve our communities."

Villalobos said the book informs readers about the plight of Haitians and also may inspire a renewed awareness of poverty in our own country.

"It forces us to pay attention to what's going on around us," Villalobos said.

Two of the project's events also are part of the UC Davis centennial celebration.

Marc Schenker, a professor in public health sciences, will give a talk titled "Public Service in Translation — Paul Farmer" on Oct. 10 at the Public Health Sciences Centennial Academic Showcase.

Schenker will use the book to explore the implications of performing public service — it affects the way a person is viewed and his or her own self-perception, as well as helping to improve others' lives. Schenker plans to give historical and literary examples of public service or the implications of not doing it. One example is Tolstoy's "The Death of Ivan Ilyich," about the reputation that results from lack of service and compassion for others.

Then on Oct. 11, Darin Latimore, director of medical student diversity, will discuss "HIV/AIDS — The Impact on the Latino and African American Communities of the Americas" at the School of Medicine's Centennial Academic Showcase.

Several art exhibits will feature work by Leisa Faulkner, founder and executive director of Children's Hope, a Cameron Park-based humanitarian organization that collects donations to send medical and school supplies, antibiotics, computers and other support to severely needy children in Haiti.

In July, Faulkner returned to Haiti for the eighth time to photograph, distribute supplies and meet with human rights, labor and political leaders. Her photography and text about poverty and hope in Haiti will be displayed in three months-long shows.

In December, the book project partners with the Yolo County Health Department and Sacramento-based Center for AIDS Research, Education and Services to offer free, rapid and confidential HIV/AIDS testing on campus.

A full list of events accompanies this story. Other events may be added throughout the quarter. For more information, go online to

Villalobos said even as this fall's events begin, a committee is in the process of selecting the 2009-10 book, which will be announced by December. The theme is "psychological and emotional health and well-being."

— Reach Sharon Stello at or (530) 747-8043. Comment on this story at