Diasporia News of Friday, 22 August 2008
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Author Mercy Ama Anim Publishes Three Books
Rockland County, New York -- Author Mercy Ama Anim formerly known as Mercy Adolphus has done it again! Three of her new books have just been published and she wants to take her experience as an early childhood educator back to Ghana. She is launching Sprint Start International School in Ghana later this year. *
"The experiences that I have attained as an early childhood educator for about fifteen years in the United States have impressed upon me a bigger challenge than I aspired to do. My ambition is to build schools that would make a difference in Ghana, a school of discovery and inventions. Sprint Start International School in Ghana is set up with the goal and objective to provide exceptional, dedicated quality teachers to expose the children the opportunity to excel, thrive and grow within their own community by accessing the tremendous natural resources in Ghana. If you build a house without a solid foundation the house will not stand. Children also need a solid foundation and that is why early childhood education is important to me. A nation needs to invest in its young or that nation will not stand. Right now Ghana is participating in the Olympics. In the very near future if we are able to build a solid foundation for our children, future participants in the Olympics will not merely be making appearances and marching but will competitively engage in most if not all of the sporting events. This is my dream for Ghana's future. Construction of the first school will begin in Takoradi in October. My bigger dream is to launch the school in all parts of the country," says Mercy Ama Anim.
Sprint Start International School is not going to cater exclusively for the rich. It is going to open its doors to the poor as well. The school is modeled after the Head Start Program in America where low income and poor families are also afforded quality start in education. *
Here are excerpts from her three new books.
Love Is Not Enough *
He was a smooth talker, incredibly handsome, cunning, insidious, and
snaky. His name was Billy Bolden, and he had four gorgeous women,
each one fulfilling a specific need in his life. There was Mimi, whose
young and lustrous body filled him with great pleasure. There was Viera,
who had been around far too long. There was Tracy, who was
invaluable to his future plans. And lastly there was Georgette, who was
fabulously rich and eagerly lavished gifts and money upon him.
It was three o'clock on a hot sunny Friday in October and Effiakuma
Bus Stop, New Site was crowded with people. The buses were
running late as usual, and a long line of waiting passengers covered
an entire block. The heat from the sun was oppressive and every person
in the crowd, including the children, was perspiring heavily. Their faces
told of their misery. Most of them had been waiting for two hours, and
although several taxis were combing the streets honking in search of
riders, no one paid them any attention. It was not surprising because
today was the fifteenth day of the month commonly known as "passion
week," when most people had already gone through their monthly
paychecks. A ride in a taxi was a luxury very few people could afford.
Among the crowd were women with foodstuffs—mostly rice and
dry beans stashed in large sacks, arranged in a pile in front of them.
Some of the women carried babies on their backs in a cloth tied in a knot
around their bosoms. You could hear the babies hollering for attention.
With classes over, several students from the Polytechnic Institute down
the block had also begun to arrive at the bus stop. The line kept growing
and there was still no sign of the bus.
Around 3:30 pm a bright-eyed man of medium height, broad shouldered,
with a short beard and carefully trimmed sideburns, joined
the line. His name was Billy Bolden. He was dressed in a navy blue suit,
a white shirt, and a red tie and he carried in his hand a black briefcase.
His black shoes were spotlessly clean and they shone brightly in the late
afternoon sun. He was looking to catch the four o'clock bus bound for
Sekondi on his way to East European Town.
*
DREAMS, CHANGES AND CAVIAR WISHES *
I was running down the street when I saw it–an enormous black bird.
It was so large that it filled the sky. It was flying very low, almost
touching my head. It had huge claws and was about to lift me up. I
screamed, but, like in every dream, no sound came out. Then the bird
changed into a giant plane. I tried to run but could not lift my feet. The
plane lifted up into the sky, dipped steeply, and unexpectedly began to
roll and spin out of control. Suddenly, smoke poured out of the tail
section followed by a loud explosion. An enormous fire ball filled the
sky, and debris tumbled and rained to the ground below.
When I opened my eyes, I was soaked in sweat. My heart was
thrashing like a small cruel machine. As I lay still, there was no way I
could go back to sleep on my floor mat. So, I knocked on the door of
Papa and Mama's bedroom before entering.
"Can I sleep with you, Mama?" I asked when she opened her
eyes.
"Are you having one of those dreams about planes?" Mama
asked.
"Yes," I answered.
She allowed me to climb into bed with them. I couldn't have
been older than five or six.
Dreaming is very much a part of my life. I am always dreaming,
day and night. I dreamed even in my mother's womb. In the last week
before I popped out I had a strange dream. It was about people who
lived on land, walked on two feet, lived in houses, ate fufu, banku, fish,
and drank palm wine. Is it any wonder I was in a hurry to come join
them? I didn't like the fact that I was curled up in a ball sucking my
thumb, and I was not enjoying the food that I was getting, the amniotic fluids. Impatient and kicking my mother's tender ribs and abdomen, I
announced to the world "I'm ready to come out! I need real food, not fluids."
Anxious to arrive, I squeezed out without any help and
participated in the cutting of the umbilical cord. When I came face-toface
with my mother, I made it clear to her that I was not into fluids. I
wanted nothing to do with breast milk or anything of the sort. I wanted
solid food–maybe fufu and light soup with goat meat. And that is exactly
what I got. My mother immediately started feeding me fufu and light
soup with goat meat. I'm sure this is why to this day I still love that
meal *
PRINCESS FORUWA AND THE GOLD KINGDOM *
In March 1667, a ship set sail for America. On board that ship were African captives, including eleven-year-old Princess Foruwa. She was being brought to America to be sold as a slave to an eccentric American plantation owner in Virginia. In the possession of the princess was a mysterious gold bracelet. The gold bracelet served to protect the princess from harm. But it is also believed that fame, fortune and power are associated with it. The elusive goddess Nana Ema presented the bracelet to the princess. Legend says that Ema reveals itself once every 400 years, and when she does, prosperity for future generations follows.
In present times, a renowned and powerful white family is descended from the princess, carrying her blood line. Their family history remains a secret from the American public. This family is in possession of the gold bracelet. There also happens to be a black family in America also descended from the princess and privy to the gold bracelet secret. For years they have been desperately searching for it, seeking their share of the fame and fortune associated with it. They will do anything—even commit murder—to achieve their objective. But they are not the only ones searching for the bracelet. The Princess's long lost family in Africa have once again been visited by goddess Nana Ema. They must find the gold bracelet and bring it back to Africa.
The story of Princess Foruwa and the Gold Kingdom will be told in a series of books. This is the first. **
Eight months after being possessed by the sun god in September of 1665, Efua Gyanaba was getting ready for her initiation and received great news – the king was attending her initiation ceremony. When she heard the news she was ecstatic. She told herself that if she managed to get the king's attention, she might not have to serve the sun god. Instead, she would serve the king, who was a living god. The sun god would understand. There was great harmony among all the gods in Dankyira and the Asemta States. She began to practice her moves, shaking her behind and breasts up, down and sideways. She would shake them like no woman ever had. The young women with the Motaba cultural dance group would not even come close to her performance.
There were about 100 fetish priests and priestesses in Dankyira. All of them, plus some from the other states, were attending Efua Gyanaba's initiation. The ceremony was going to be performed at Manse Park. Benches were arranged for the general public. A tent was set up for the dignitaries, including King Kwame Amanfie.
When Efua Gyanaba woke up that morning, she examined herself closely. This was the day of her initiation. She had been blessed with good things. Her breasts were full, her waist thin, her hips wide, her thighs smooth, and her feet delicate and pretty. The king ought to notice her today, if he had not already. For a long time now she had been attending every social function at which the king was going to be present, but it seemed the king's attention was only focused on the queen. Well, today she was going to be the center of attention, and the king would surely notice her and see what she was made of. Today the king would notice her body. She was very pleased with herself. She was so sure that when all this was over, the king was going to be in a dizzying trance.
Readers Comment
Love Is Not Enough is a page turner. I could not put this book down. I truly got lost in the world of Billy Bolden. I kept wondering what he would do next. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has loved and lost or anyone that loves a great love story. You will love it.
Aola Crawford Williams
Love Is Not Enough is an interesting and captivating story about a man Billy Bolden whose love for women turned out to be deadly. If you are searching for a good suspense love story, I highly recommend this book. You will not regret it.
Vanessa Porchette
Love Is Not Enough written by Mercy Ama Anim is a well written book. Although it is fiction, I can relate to the characters that come alive in the book. It shows that though women in poor third world countries have a hard life they are still fighters and have hopes and dreams for their children. It is a great book to read.
Phoebbe Sibblis
Love Is Not Enough had me at the edge of my seat following the journey of the main characters. I believe that many parents can use this book as a key to understanding the challenges that their children may face and also for the young people who are seeking love to understand that it takes more than the physical to build the foundation of a good relationship. Keep up with the good work.
Grace Abaidoo
AUTHOR BIO
Mercy Ama Anim formerly known as Mercy Adolphus is director and founder of Little Angel Day Care Center in Rockland County, New York. She attended Fijai Secondary School and the Ghana Institute of Journalism where she received her diploma in 1974. She worked as a reporter with the Ghana Information services for three years before she resigned to take on the challenge of becoming a successful business woman. She moved to the United States in 1981. She attended the New School University in New York where she received her B.A. in Early Childhood Education in 1992.
Mercy Anim has been working selflessly with children for 15 years . She started with 5 children and now her facility is licensed to serve 88. She believes that children must be taught how to read and write at an early age. "I loved to read when I was growing up. The best gift anyone could give me was a book."
The day Care has a Library and a computer room where the children visit during the day to acquaint themselves with a wide variety of books and a computer that allows them to increase their computer literacy. Little Angels has built a solid reputation in the community, as majority of families in the area want to enroll their children at the center. Many of the children at Little Angels, by the time they are three years old are reading and writing.
In addition to the excellent academic program, Mercy Anim has also incorporated African American cultural enrichment program through which the children are exposed to the histories and cultures of their ancestry in the form of art, music and dance. The children are also taught how to play traditional instruments used in this dance form. The children's performances are often featured in the local newspaper and on her local television program, called Joy In Rockland. Mercy Anim is adored by the children, the parents and her 16 member staff.
And apart from being a director, a mother and a wife, she is also an author. "I never forgot my roots when I switched careers after I arrived in the United States and that is my love of writing. "
Her first novel Mrs. Doctor was published in 2005. Although there was some controversy about the book, she still maintains that the book is an inspirational book. "Mrs. Doctor is a journey of a child and later an adult who believed in herself and was determined to find her own success. I have been working with children for the past fifteen years.
The children actually inspired me to write Mrs. Doctor. When I was growing up I was told many times that I would not amount to anything. I refused to believe it. I wanted the children to know that everything is possible if they believe in themselves." Mrs. Doctor was dedicated to all the children at Little Angels and some of the proceeds are going towards an Education Fund that has been set up for their benefit. Over the years Mercy Anim has awarded close to $7,000 in scholarship funds to deserving children at Little Angels. She wanted to do even more. She is currently working on her fifth book about her experiences with the child care business in America.
Mercy Anim is doing a book signing at Origin Books, Art and Coffee shop at Nanuet Mall in Rockland County on Saturday September 20th between 3pm and 6pm. Anyone wishing to meet the author is invited to attend.
For more information about the author visit her website at * www.mercyanimbooks.com*
