During the holidays last year, there was a show on Oprah about how the money from the Angel Network was being distributed, specifically to hundreds of children in South Africa. I do not watch Oprah regularly but this show captured my heart, especially since I've always wanted to visit Africa. My friend, Malvis, grew up in Sierra Leone. We met on the internet, as she responded to a Christian book review I posted on Amazon.com and to my surprise, five years later, we are the best of friends. Some of you may have read her story that was posted on my website about her devasting story during the civil war in Sierra Leone that occurred in the early 1990's. Her story was so touching that I received several responses about it. I'm glad to say that it will now be featured in the new and first chapter anthology that will be published in mid 2005 (see homepage). As part of her healing and restoration process, Malvis thought it would be best if she shared her story with the world; hopefully to bring hope to those that may have been a part of Sierra Leone's tragic war.
The decision to donate to Oprah's Angel Network came approximately two weeks prior to the closing date of this anthology. So please do not think this was done to obtain additional contributors. I believe what I currently have is plenty but obtaining more contributors is always a nice addition to ANY anthology. So I've decided that for each volume, I will make a decision on which organization to donate to every December. It will more than likely be an organization that focuses on the betterment of children's literacy
I am a three year (and counting) Junior Achievement volunteer for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system. I also have several years combined experience working in the children's ministry. Lastly, I also love writing for children. In addition to writing my first multicultural children's picture book, Micky, Ticky, Boo! Says Hello, I formed an online writers forum and website, The African-American Children's Writers and Illustrators (AACBWI).
