From Fiction to Real Life - Author Changes Orphans' Lives with Education

From Fiction to Real Life, Author Changes Orphans’ Lives with Education

Author Tom Davis and Children’s HopeChest sponsor the Scared $1 Million Education Fund and Writing Contest



I shall live in hope of getting what I seek another day. ~ Swazi proverb



The number one need in Swaziland, Africa, is not what you think. It’s true: Swazi people face the realities of poverty and disease and have great, pressing needs which must be met. But meeting these needs alone will not give children what they need to overcome their circumstances and to change their world—this can only happen through education.



In his new release, Scared (David C Cook, June 2009), author Tom Davis tells the story of Adanna, a young Swazi girl, and a jaded U.S. photojournalist on assignment in her country. Based on his experience working with orphaned children in Swaziland, Davis reveals the power of words to change lives—and the power of God to bring light and new life, even to the darkest of places.



Adanna’s life story could be a blueprint for any of the thousands of Swazi kids Davis has met and worked with as CEO of Children’s HopeChest (www.hopechest.org) — a global orphan care organization. These children are brimming with potential, but lack even a shred of opportunity.



Beyond meeting basic, practical needs, the mission and passion of Children’s HopeChest is to provide orphaned children the tools they need to become independent adults and mature people who can impact their communities and culture. One of the best paths for reaching this goal is education. With that in mind, Davis and Children’s HopeChest have developed the Scared $1 Million Education Fund and Writing Contest.



The writing contest will be launched with the release of Scared this June. It is open to high-school aged orphans who are presently connected with HopeChest carepoints in Swaziland. Entries will be received in three categories: short story, poetry, and personal essay/memoir. The grand prize for each category is a university scholarship, and runner-up submissions will receive other prizes appropriate to their culture and need.





How the Writing Contest Works

– Children will submit their writing pieces (maximum of one per category). Submission deadline is September 1, 2009.

– A panel made up of Swazi teachers and HopeChest carepoint staff will judge all entries and select the top ten from each category.

– The top ten finalists in each category will be posted on the Scared website, www.scaredthebook.com, December 1, 2009. People around the world are invited to log in and cast a vote for their favorites in each category.

– Winners will be announced March 2010.



For more information about the contest, visit www.scaredthebook.com