Vanna's Dance

In 1999, while residing in Geneva the author, Maria Almudevar-van Santen, met Eric vander Borght, a European Film Producer. He talked to her about a film he was working on involving an 8 year old girl in Cambodia who had lost her leg to a landmine. They had thought the area was clear.
Inspired by the film, Maria wrote Vanna's Dance for children. The tale interweaves Vanna's story with elements of Khmer mythology and legends. It is a touching story of a little girl whose determination to dance again overcomes all obstacles. Her beloved Godfather, Chea Chheng, provides inspiration for Vanna through the fables he narrates to her throughout the book.
The author is donating the profits from sales of this book to the organization Adopt-A-Minefield (landmines.org) for its work in clearing landmines and assisting landmine survivors. A portion is also being donated to a private fund for Vanna.
Adopt-A-Minefield has as patrons Sir Paul McCartney and Heather Mills McCartney. Heather Mills McCartney has provided an introductory page in Vanna's Dance.
The illustrations for Vanna's Dance are by students of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board in Ontario, Canada, where Maria now resides.
The translation for the French version "La Danse de Vanna" was prepared by Jean-Guy LaTulippe of Montreal, Quebec Canada.
The publication of these books was made possible through the support of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, one of Canada's leading law firms (blgcanada.com).