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 (www.landmines.org) for
its work in clearing landmines and assisting landmine survivors. A
portion is also being donated to a private fund for Vanna.
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.
Maria Almudevar - van Santen currently resides in Canada,
having returned after spending eight years in Europe. Touched by
Vanna's story and the images of the brave little girl, she
combined her love of writing with research of Khmer mythology and
legends to write Vanna's Dance. Wanting to do more with the book,
she contacted Adopt-A-Minefield and arranged with them to use it as
a fund-raising project.
Maria is working on other books for children.