With gallery showings, radio shows, and signing events this week, I have been asked to put a “primer” up on my book Testimony Africa. Here goes:
–It is a 150-page coffee table book with 60 black and white photographs. It reads very much like the classic National Geographic magazine feature article (only longer and, hopefully, better!). To my knowledge, there is not another book out there like it.
–Through the eyes of three young people, the large issues of AIDS, hunger and war become personal.
–The “miracle” of transformational development is the “glue” that runs through the entire book. Despite difficult topics, it is HOPEFUL and ENGAGING!
I’d love to put a signed copy in your hands. To learn more or to order, go to the book home page. You can also see all the Testimony Africa posts on this blog by going to the category page–it contains reviews, movies, and all kinds of cool updates if you are interested.
Rhoda Yar Bol and her daughter, Hannah, stand on the curb outside Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. They are on their way out of Sudan and heading to Nakuru when they run into Sean Sheridan, who takes this photograph. May 25th, 2008.
The Testimony vision is that the development work will continue and live on long after my involvement in it is done. Isn’t that the true mark of sustainable development, that it is not dependent upon those, or the money, who initiate it? That it lives on through the recipients?
Anyhow, a good example of this is Rhoda, one of the people in the book. A few years ago I had a massive layover at the airport in Nairobi. I went outside to get some air. I heard a voice call my name and turned around. It was Rhoda. Total chance meeting (described in the book). After the “Testimony Africa is more than a book post” and after I had sent a check from book sales to support the work Rhoda helped started in Southern Sudan, I got an email from her:
“I heard that ALARM is going to hire a Lady to work with the Lietnhom women for the time being. I am really happy that your gift for them is going to work. I have a heart to visit them some days if I got some money for transport because they are very important in my life and I hope one day I will return to help them.”
And then another:
“Thank you a lot for the cooperation and hospitality you have shown and the love of God you have for all people. You have a waken my hope and my life and I got a courage that I can do good things in life.”
People, making a difference is possible. It may not be much or change the world overnight. BUT, any time you help someone move forward in a good, better way in life, you tilt the pendulum in the direction of good. And for that, no one can find fault with what you do. So go for it!
The Winter 2011 University of Kansas Alumni Magazine Features Sean Sheridan and Testimony Africa
The most recent Kansas Alumni magazine has featured Testimony Africa! Check it out. The story has some nice background on why I wrote the book. Speaking of the book, we still have signed first edition copies available for purchase. Now is a great time to order!
We also will be having a series of book signing / gallery events in the coming months this year. The first will be at Yobel Market in Colorado Springs later this month (stay tuned for details!) with shows likely to follow in Denver, Seattle, and Portland.
Anyone interested in hitting the road with Testimony Africa? Anyone want to donate a big old bus to make that happen?!?
Bekele and Dumbelle at Project Mercy. Bekele had just graduated from Nursing School.
Testimony Africa is more than a book. 10 percent of all book proceeds go back into the three communities/projects where the stories were developed. One of those projects is Project Mercy, in Yetebon, Ethiopia, and I was privileged to be there a few weeks ago shooting a promo film. I got to visit for awhile with Bekele, one of the stories featured in the book. He is doing great, having just graduated from nursing school. He will begin work at the Project Mercy hospital soon.
I asked Bekele how we could help him and his answer was that he wanted his sister and his younger brother to be able to continue their schooling. The money from book sales that is going to Project Mercy will go to a fund to help young people like these to continue their schooling. And what’s more, a generous donor has agreed to match all funds that come from Testimony Africa sales!
With a matching grant on all book sale portions that will go for education to those in need at Project Mercy, today is the perfect time to get Testimony Africa. Remember, we still have copies of signed, first edition books left, and they make GREAT gifts. So buy early, buy often, and rest easy knowing that this is one gift this Christmas season that will actually do some good! Make sure to watch the slideshow below from the recent shoot at Project Mercy…
