By Helen Borland / Staff

Janine Maxwell has written a second book, "Is It Okay with You?", which openly describes true humanitarian experiences in Africa and emotional stories of children that Janine has personally helped. Maxwell is the founder of Heart for Africa, a non-profit organization aimed at providing self-sustainable homes for orphans and vulnerable children in Africa.

Maxwell's first book, It’s Not Okay With Me, brought an urgent call to action to motivate hundreds of people to donate 11 days to travel and serve orphaned children in Swaziland and Kenya. To date, more than 4,500 people have given their time and energy on these service trips. 

Is It Okay with You? looks closely at the disturbing realities of the AIDS pandemic which continues to leave millions of orphans in its wake.  The harshness of the issue is exposed through the stories Maxwell tells.

LIVING IN A VIOLENT SLUM

The first story is about 14-year-old Sabina, a girl with a passion for soccer, family and education.  The life she knew was suddenly and violently torn apart when a gang brutally raped her after killing her neighbors, leaving her to die. She had the strength and resolve to endure and make a better life for herself and her son, a son that was the result of the gang rape. Through her own determination and a chance meeting with Maxwell, she and her son are now happily living at the Tumaini Children’s Home in Kenya, a Heart for Africa supported children’s home.

ENDORSEMENT BY FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON

"In this interdependent world, where our fates are inextricably bound together, we can’t afford to say no,” said former President Bill Clinton.  “It shouldn’t be okay with us, because we all have the ability to make a remarkable difference in the future of humanity.”

“While it is hard to read about children living in abject poverty and abuse,” explains Maxwell, “I’d like to challenge readers to not wallow in the sadness and apathy, but rather to be moved to action and do something to evoke change and in the end, make someone’s life better.”  Janine found her way to Africa through the terrorist attacks of 9/11, subsequent depression, and an old friend.  But it was in the streets of Zambia that she discovered her purpose and a greater meaning for her life.  Janine transitioned from the existence as a successful businesswoman and “having it all” she says—to asking herself, “What am I doing here?”  The book launch for Is It Okay With You? will be held on Saturday, March 27 at the Alpharetta Athletic Club East Course, 3430 Highway 9, Alpharetta, GA 30004,7:00 – 11:00 pm. Tickets are $75 and available at www.heartforafrica.org/celebrate.

About Heart for Africa Heart for Africa, based in Milton, GA, is a US non-profit working with local African organizations to provide self-sustainable homes for orphans through long term programs and short term service trips to Kenya and Swaziland.  For more information, please visit www.heartforafrica.org or call 678-566-1589. For information on Janine Maxwell’s book, visit www.isitokaywithyou.com.