The Antigua and Barbuda Sickle Cell Association has launched a project which is close to the heart for all of us.

“There is nothing that my friend Jen can’t do, but on the inside, she’s a little different to me and you.”

This is how Jenica Leah’s children’s book about Sickle Cell Disease starts. The young author knows from firsthand experience what it means to live with Sickle Cell Disease. She has suffered severe complications, but has overcome all of them with indomitable determination and optimism. Aiming to give young children with Sickle Cell Disease the encouragement and hope that she herself did not have when she was little, she created this book and self-published it. It is a beautiful book, bright and cheerful, entirely age-appropriate for young children.  It conveys not only the basic facts about SCD, but also the right attitude towards the condition.  Not surprisingly, Jenica’s work won her an award for Best Inspirational Young Author.

The Antigua and Barbuda Sickle Cell Association resolved to donate one book to every primary school in the country. The official handover was celebrated at the Sickle Cell Clinic, and the books were distributed with the help of association members and volunteers. We thank Jenica Leah for giving us a substantial discount on our order of  70 books, AUA for very generously sponsoring the project, Minesoft Ltd. for sending the books from England free of charge and Director of Education, Mr. Clare Browne and his team for his enthusiasm and support.