The Leopard Tree

Three orphans from Kenya embark on a desperate quest to meet the Secretary General of the United Nations in New York City and deliver a message they hope will help millions of homeless and hurting children in Africa. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz becomes their guidebook as they journey alone across the United States. The trio of brave travelers are orphans — one from Kenya with HIV, one blind amputee from Sudan, and one from Rwanda who hasn’t spoken for years after watching her family slaughtered—find themselves embroiled in a situation beyond their imaginations as they get close to meeting their goal. Rosa Carson, a courageous woman and photojournalist working all over the world, becomes their friend and helps them pursue their dreams of meeting the Secretary General of the United Nations. Their journey introduces them to a world they did not know existed and introduces Americans to the plight of 18 million orphans in East Africa living in poverty. This book was written with the hope of raising awareness of the millions of people in Africa who suffer the effects of malnutrition,malaria, HIV/AIDS, and the unspeakable atrocities associated with armed conflicts. You can help by doing whatever you’re able to do:send a donation, learn what’s going on, offer a home, visit the continent. For more information about ways to help and real stories of the land and people, visit www.TheLeopardTree.com and be the change you want to see in the world. Lisa Brochu and Tim Merriman have spent the last four decades helping people connect with our global natural and cultural heritage. Through their books and speaking engagements, they hope to help others to know more and do more about the daily challenges in meeting basic needs that face tens of millions of people in developing nations. When they are not traveling the globe, Tim and Lisa live in Kealkekua, Hawaii, on a small farm where they raise much of their own food. They can be contacted by email at lisa@heartfeltassociates.com and tim@heartfeltassociates.com. They have a blog at http://heartfeltassociates.wordpress.com.