Review of 'The Candy Girl' by Marcella Camara-Macauley

Marcella Camara-Macauley was born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, west Africa. At the tender age of 18 months, she was afflicted with the polio virus, and for almost three years she could not walk. She began to walk late, taking baby steps the first time around, impaired by debilitating polio. She still needs a new leg brace every year to aid her to walk.

Growing up in Sierra Leone was fun, though not without obstacles and challenges, which she faced tenaciously and valiantly. And with the help of her parents, who encouraged her to be herself, instilling in her good moral values which contributed to her maturity, with God's blessings. After finishing high school her parents sponsored her to go to the United States to pursue an education in nursing. But she had no passion for nursing. She could not tolerate the sight of people in pain. So, she took her own path, studying early childhood education, since innately she loves children. And for the past 14 years she has enjoyed every moment of teaching young kids.

Last summer she started writing children’s stories, and published down the road her maiden book 'The Candy Girl'. It was, indeed, a giant leap from a young writer preparing to take the mantle of leadership in the literary arena, from Sierra Leone’s prolific veteran children’s books writer, Dr Talabi Aisie Lucan. Marcella needs all the encouragement she can get in an industry that is not attractive to the youth, probably because it’s not a fastfood industry. 'The Candy Girl' is a delightful and passionate read that targets children ages 5–11, teaching them and adults alike the golden rule, do unto others as you would like others to do unto you. The story encourages children to help others who are in need.

M. Joe the candy store owner always gave Faith her requested candy though she was often a quarter short of the price. Eventually, Faith grew up, worked hard, saving enough money to buy the store from Mr Joe. This mirrors the fact that no condition is permanent in life. Sharing is caring in a world today that is seemingly selfish, greedy and laden with multiple problems.

One of Marcella's goals is to return to Sierra Leone to help handicapped and orphaned children still traumatised and psychologically affected by the nation’s decade-long gruesome civil war. She hopes to invest the profits from the sales of her book for this purpose. Marcella enjoys giving back generously to others, caring for the less fortunate children. Growing up, it was hard for her to begin a non-profit organisation in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

As a result of the war in Sierra Leone, many children were left handicapped or orphaned. Her heart goes out to all these needy kids. She intends to get the children off the streets of Freetown, give them a place they could call home and a better education and life. As an accredited educator, she believes that education is the key to being successful, and she yearns to see every child get an education. She would love to apply the ‘No child left behind’ philosophy instrumental in the United States to this nation’s educational system. Looking back at her life, she’s grateful to the folk involved in her life, who are a real blessing to her. Her prayer is that people around the world will see this urgent need and rise up to the call, helping very poor kids in one of the poorest nations in the world, according to the United Nation’s data.

Marcela Camara-Macauley holds degrees in Counselling from Bethel University, Silver Spring, Maryland, and in Early Childhood Education, from Prince George’s Community College, and Child Development Accreditation (CDA) certification. I would recommend 'The Candy Girl' to every child around the world, and adults too. Investing in her book means that one is supporting a worthy cause, helping to educate and care for destitute kids in Sierra Leone. It’s never too late to learn the ABC of living fulfilling and peaceful lives, around the world: 'Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you.' Pioneering achievements often sprout from humble beginnings. The mango tree could only bear mangoes, not oranges, provided nurturing is done properly with patience and persistence. Similarly, the coconut does not fall far from the tree.

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* 'The Candy Girl', Marcella Camara-Macauley, Xlibris Corporation: 2008. ISBN: 1-4363-8789-2 (soft cover). ISBN: 1-4363-8790-6 (hard cover) Available at http://www2.xlibris.com/Bookstore/bookdisplay.aspx?bookid=52001.
* Contact the author at [email][email protected] for autographed copies.
* Roland Bankole Marke is a poet, author and advocate for children and women without a voice, from Sierra Leone. Visit his website at www.rolandmarke.com.
* Roland Bankole Marke © 2009.
* Please send comments to [email protected] or comment online at Pambazuka News.