Books For Good: I Am Because We Are by photographer Kristen Ashburn

I just heard of this beautiful new book called I AM BECAUSE WE ARE. It is a powerful new work of photojournalism documenting the AIDS pandemic in southern Africa. I AM BECAUSE WE ARE is by photographer Kristen Ashburn, and is a companion piece to Madonna's documentary film by the same title. The book takes an intimate look into the lives of seven of the 1 million Malawian children who have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS. And the best part? The author proceeds go directly to Raising Malawi, a non-profit dedicated to providing community-based assistance to Malawian children who have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS.

From Powerhouse Books: "The title is derived from the concept of “Ubuntu,” a belief in African spirituality that says all humanity is connected, that we cannot be ourselves without community and that an individual’s well-being is dependent upon the well-being of others.

The book contains heart-wrenching stories that are a call to action. In a country of 13 million people, over one million are orphans. Looking into the hearts and minds of children who have suffered more than one can imagine, the book provides an unflinching view of life at the center of the global AIDS crisis.

Ultimately viewers come to understand that this is not just a story about orphans in Malawi, but about global responsibility and human interconnectedness."

This book is available for pre-order and will be in bookstores soon. I had a chance to take a sneak peek at the book in PDF form. The images and sparse text about real children and their lives tell more than any news story ever could. These children are our children. In the midst of ultimate heartbreak and poverty, they play, hug each other, cry, and simply live as best they can. The stories and the images are heartbreaking, inspiring and a motivating call to action. We need to hear these stories, see their faces, and pledge to work together to end their suffering.