One Hen from Kids Can Press: An Inspiring Story of a Child's Determination to Escape Poverty

26 Feb 2008 11:30 Africa/Lagos


One Hen from Kids Can Press: An Inspiring Story of a Child's Determination to Escape Poverty

CHAPPAQUA, N.Y., Feb. 26 /PRNewswire/ --

While children in Western countries usually don't worry about access to food, shelter, and the opportunity to attend school, three billion people worldwide struggle to live on less than $2 a day. Kids Can Press, publishers of Ryan and Jimmy, One Well, and If the World Were a Village, is known for its books that raise kids' social consciousness. One Hen: How One Small Loan Made a Big Difference, written by Katie Smith Milway and illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes, encourages children ages 7 and up to think about the power we each have to initiate positive changes in the world. In addition, children can play online games to experience the impact a small loan has on a virtual village at www.onehen.org. The One Hen website also features video stories, links to microlending organizations, and special sections for parents, teachers, and librarians.


One Hen tells the story of Kojo, a boy from Ghana who uses the proceeds from a small loan to build a thriving farm. Kojo's story demonstrates the impact that microloans -- a lending system for people in developing countries who have no collateral and no access to conventional banking -- can have on one boy and his community.


At the end of Milway's fictional tale, children learn the true story of Kwabena Darko, the inspiration for One Hen. Mr. Darko built the largest poultry operation in East Africa and now sits on the board of Opportunity International, one of the world's biggest microcredit lending organizations. One Hen also explains the microloan system and offers information about relevant organizations for families to explore.


Author Katie Smith Milway has lived in Africa and worked with village banking programs. "When I stumbled on Kwabena Darko's story, I knew I had found a way to tell children about the power that one small loan can have to change lives," she says. Illustrator Eugenie Fernandes referenced an extensive collection of East African photographs so that her evocative and colorful illustrations would reflect Ghana accurately.


For more information about One Hen and microlending, visit www.onehen.org.


Source: Kids Can Press

CONTACT: Raab Associates Inc. for Kids Can Press, +1-914-241-2117,
info@raabassociates.com


Web site: http://www.onehen.org/


NOTE TO EDITORS: Kwabena Darko available for interviews in New York March 3-4; Katie Smith Milway available on an ongoing basis in Boston and New York.

Hard Rock International Releases All-Star Charity CD SERVE2 to Benefit WHY (World Hunger Year)

Hard Rock International Releases All-Star Charity CD SERVE2 to Benefit WHY (World Hunger Year)


Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne, Joss Stone and More Donate Previously Unreleased Tracks to Aid in the Fight Against Hunger and Poverty

Hard Rock and WHY Partner with The Orchard for Worldwide Digital Distribution of SERVE2

ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 9 /PRNewswire/ --

Hard Rock International differentiates itself with Rock, but philanthropy is the company's soul. Hard Rock has remained true to its "Love All, Serve All" creed since the company's founding in 1971 -- a motto that can be heard or seen at every Hard Rock location around the world. Continuing its pledge to serving others, Hard Rock is proud to announce the launch of SERVE2 -- a benefit compilation CD, featuring previously unreleased tracks from some of music's most influential artists, including Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne, Joss Stone, KT Tunstall and more -- to benefit WHY (World Hunger Year), a nonprofit organization that strives to fight against hunger and poverty in America and around the world. All net proceeds from SERVE2 will be donated directly towards Artists Against Hunger & Poverty (AAHP), a special artist-directed program of WHY -- for which, Hard Rock has proudly raised more than $1 million to date.


Photo


Joining Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and others in the fight against hunger and poverty, the SERVE2 CD features never-before-released tracks by a unique blend of major multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning and acclaimed recording artists like The Hold Steady, Mat Kearney, Brandi Carlile and more, as well as several bonus digital tracks. The songs are new, classic, electric or acoustic, and reflect the generosity of the artists that donated them to the project on behalf of serving those in need.


"We are honored to be partnering once again with Hard Rock and such great musicians for this effort," said Bill Ayres, founder of WHY. "The generosity and time committed to SERVE2 has been tremendous, and we are overwhelmed by the support for the cause."


Servin' Up Some Rockin' Charity . . .

Artist Track Title

SERVE2: Physical Album (also available digitally):

Bruce Springsteen "The Ghost of Tom Joad (Live in Dublin)"
KT Tunstall "Heal Over (Live at Gaia Music, London)"
Bob Dylan "The Ballad of Hollis Brown
(Live at Carnegie Hall, 1963)"
Joss Stone "Big Ol' Game"
Jackson Browne "Casino Nation
(Live from Melbourne, Australia)"
Citizen Cope feat.
Alice Smith "107°"
Brandi Carlile "The Times They Are A-Changin'
(Live from Boston)"
Marc Broussard "Bring It On Home To Me" (Sam Cooke cover)
The Hold Steady "Arms and Hearts"
*O.A.R. "Dareh Meyod
(Live at Madison Square Garden)"
Natasha Bedingfield "Lay Down"
Mat Kearney "Nothing Left to Lose" (Acoustic Version)
Ghosts "Stay The Night"
Andrew W.K. "This Is My World"

Bonus / Digital Tracks:

Toby Lightman "Better (Live From Joe's Pub)"
Sons of William "Bell Bottom Blues"
(Derek & the Dominos cover)
Hellogoodbye "Baby It's Fact (Live From New York, NY)"
Josh Rouse "Start Again"
Jen Chapin "You Haven't Done Nothin'"
(Stevie Wonder cover)
Eli Cook "Man-Child"
Griffin House "Love to Begin"

*Previously-released track

One Million and Counting . . .

To celebrate reaching the $1 million mark in funds raised for WHY, in addition to SERVE2, Hard Rock International will continue to offer its 21st Signature Series T-Shirt, inspired by Bruce Springsteen, and also launch a new commemorative limited-edition pin, to benefit WHY. The Bruce Springsteen Signature Series t-shirt and collectible pin feature a drawing of one of Bruce's favorite guitars. The shirt is available in black in classic men's sizes.


"Hard Rock International possesses a social consciousness that benefits a number of charities and organizations, including World Hunger Year," said Sean Dee, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Hard Rock International. "Hard Rock has actively supported World Hunger Year for years, raising more than $1 million to date, and we are proud to continue to support a great organization that envisions a world without hunger and poverty."


In addition to Hard Rock's Rock Shops throughout the world, the SERVE2 compilation, Bruce Springsteen Signature Series t-shirt and pin will also be available for sale through Hard Rock's Web site at www.hardrock.com and WHY's Web site www.worldhungeryear.org beginning November 6th, 2007. All songs featured on the SERVE2 CD, as well as bonus tracks, will also be available for download at major online retail stores via The Orchard's digital distribution network.


"We applaud Hard Rock and the entire WHY team for their passion, commitment and dedication to harnessing the power of music to fight global poverty," said Greg Scholl, President and Chief Executive of The Orchard. "We are proud to be a part of this project and to help spread the message of SERVE2 to fans around the world."


About WHY


Founded in 1975, WHY (World Hunger Year) is a leader in the fight against hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world. WHY is convinced that solutions to hunger and poverty can be found at the grassroots level. WHY advances long-term solutions to hunger and poverty by supporting community- based organizations that empower individuals and build self-reliance, i.e., offering job training, education and after school programs; increasing access to housing and healthcare; providing microcredit and entrepreneurial opportunities; teaching people to grow their own food; and assisting small farmers. WHY connects these organizations to artists, funders, media and legislators. WHY is a not-for-profit registered 501(c)(3) organization founded by radio talk show host and present Executive Director Bill Ayres, and the late singer-songwriter Harry Chapin.


About The Orchard


The Orchard is a leading supplier and marketer of digital music and video to digital retailers and mobile operators throughout the world. The Orchard controls an unparalleled catalogue of music from thousands of artists and labels, encompassing all genres, eras, and regions. With localized marketing in 27 countries serving all major music territories, The Orchard designs global sales programs that are executed by local experts, who are knowledgeable about and sensitive to each country's unique market dynamic. The Orchard functions as a true business partner with its clients by providing retail sales and marketing support, an extensive suite of online promotional programs, song placement, global royalty collection, global publishing administration, and in select cases, co-production investment capital. The Orchard also provides strategic media services to an impressive roster of digital retailers and leading consumer brands, ranging from publishing research, licensing and administration through comprehensive online and offline branding programs. The Orchard was founded in 1997 to provide independent artists and labels with broad and fair access to distribution. For more information, please visit us at www.theorchard.com.


About Hard Rock International


With 123 high-energy Hard Rock Cafes and eight Hotels/Casinos in 46 countries, Hard Rock International is one of the world's most globally recognized brands. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. In addition to the two flagship Seminole Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos in Tampa and Hollywood, Fla., Hard Rock Hotels/Casinos are located in Las Vegas, Biloxi, Orlando, Chicago, Pattaya and Bali, with San Diego scheduled to open later in 2007. Additional hotel and casino projects have been announced in Macau, scheduled to open in 2009, and Palm Springs, scheduled to open in 2010. Hard Rock International, Inc. is owned by Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Inc. For more information on Hard Rock, visit www.hardrock.com.


Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071009/NYTU006
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Hard Rock International

CONTACT: Brian Siemienas, Hard Rock International, +1-407-445-7625;
Deborah Sierchio or Meredith Miesieski, Coyne PR, +1-973-316-1665; Lisa
Batitt, WHY, +1-212-629-8550 Ext. 22; Sarah Miller, Axis Marketing-PR, for The
Orchard, +1-310-276-2220


Web site: http://www.hardrock.com/
http://www.theorchard.com/

Hard Rock launches SERVE2 - a benefit compilation CD, featuring previously unreleased tracks from some of music's most influential artists, including Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne, Joss Stone, KT Tunstall and more - to benefit WHY (World Hunger Year), a nonprofit organization that strives to fight against hunger and poverty in America and around the world.