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