| McLean, VA - "The Healing Conscious" tells the | | | | much pain and sacrifice, was able to leave his |
| story of an Ethiopian immigrant boy on his | | | | homeland of Ethiopia with an equally-strong and |
| fascinating journey to America and adulthood. | | | | motivated woman, and raise four children in the |
| Author Kifle Bantayehu, a 23 year-old | | | | best possible environment for education, |
| second-generation Ethiopian immigrant, recounts | | | | opportunity and happiness."Although, there are |
| this poignant tale in poetic format. His inspirational | | | | many wonderfully unique stories and novels |
| collection of poems reflects the final words and | | | | depicting the lives of immigrants in America of |
| thoughts of a dying man who traveled across the | | | | backgrounds ranging from Italian, Irish, Chinese, |
| world, raised a family and became | | | | and English, there has been little said of the |
| successful-finally fulfilling the American | | | | sacrifices and contributions of the Ethiopian |
| dream.These poems, written in a uniquely modern | | | | immigrant community residing in the United |
| style, reflect a journey of sacrifice, courage and | | | | States," Bantayehu said, explaining his motivation. |
| strength. "The ideals of cultural preservation, | | | | "Not only do we, as Ethiopians, possess over |
| respect and love intertwine with each person | | | | 2,000 years of a rich, cultural heritage, but we are |
| encountered along the narrator's journey and | | | | a loving, caring and hard working people from |
| serve as inspiration to all people, regardless of | | | | whom the values of family, sacrifice, respect and |
| race religion or sex," states the introduction of the | | | | camaraderie can be learned.""The Healing |
| book.Bantayehu says there have been very few | | | | Conscious" is meant to inspire immigrants and |
| work works of poetry written and published by | | | | others to have faith in their dreams because |
| Ethiopian authors. And he feels as though he's | | | | anything is possible. It also seeks to stir cultural |
| breaking new ground for this genre of literature | | | | consciousness and sensitivity. Many people and the |
| by combining the English language with Ethiopian | | | | world community at large, don't take the time to |
| culture."The Healing Conscious" is available for | | | | understand a culture or society other than their |
| pre-order at Borders and Barnes & Noble. It's also | | | | own, Bantayheu says. And stereotypes, |
| available online at and at discounted pricing.Part of | | | | misconceptions, and hatred arise from our lack of |
| the proceeds from book sales will be donated to | | | | knowledge."Whether Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, |
| Ethiopian Children's and Orphans' Association, Inc. | | | | Muslim or any other ethnic or religious background, |
| (ECOA), 46664, Africare, the African AIDS | | | | we all breathe the same air, feel fear, feel joy, |
| Initiative and other organizations working to | | | | shed tears, laugh, and love," he says. "Those |
| promote HIV awareness and helping those | | | | innate qualities make us human."Given the fears |
| affected in Sub-Saharan and East | | | | and prejudices that have arisen from the |
| Africa.Bantayehu says he wrote the book-which is | | | | September 11 tragedy, "The Healing Conscious" |
| based on the lives of his parents- to tell the | | | | promotes important principles for the entire global |
| compelling story of an immigrant, who through | | | | community to embrace and practice. |