A children’s book about divorce will be translated into Afrikaans.
Cape Town, South Africa (17 June 2021) – To help youngsters get through the emotional challenges and confusion that comes with divorce, the 46-year old Natalie Knox, a teacher and a counsellor from Cape Town, now living in Spain, has penned a resource book called ‘The Mending Chronicles of Liam & Emily’.
The book, which has an inspiring Christian message, is filled with advice and activities that give children the tools to navigate and express their feelings when their parents make the difficult decision to separate.
Divorce, Knox says, is a trickier subject than we realise, especially when young children are involved.
“Divorce is so common that I find people tend to think that kids can bounce back easily and will turn out okay. Sadly, in my experience, kids who aren’t given support and a safe space to process the changes and their emotions tend to carry related issues into their teenage years and adulthood,” Knox said.
“These stem potentially from unprocessed emotions and misconceptions kids pick up about themselves and their family during the divorce. These could look anything like feeling as if the divorce was their fault or they aren’t worth sticking around for.”
The book, which is currently only available in English, is already a page-turner, having been a finalist at the 14th National Indie Excellence Awards in America.
“I trust that with the public’s help, we can produce an Afrikaans version that is of the same award-winning quality,” Knox said.
To fulfil her dream of translating the book into Afrikaans, to reach and heal more families, Knox has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy with the help of her friend of over 14 years, Lana Potgieter who lives in Bellville, Cape Town.
“Divorce knows no boundaries and happens in every culture and language. Sadly, resources to help and support families and children are not always easily available in other languages besides English,” Knox added.
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“Books that deal with such personal and sensitive issues are more accessible and effective for the young reader if it’s in their mother tongue. So I think that The Mending Chronicles is going to be an incredibly helpful handbook for Afrikaans children who have experienced divorce, as well as a great addition to Afrikaans children’s literature.”
Since the launch of the crowdfunding campaign, almost R30 000 has been raised towards the fundraising target of R70 000 which will cover the cost of the translator, editor, proofreader, designer and the first print run of the book.
The funds raised through this campaign will cover the cost of:
- A translator;
- An editor;
- A proofreader;
- A designer;
- The first print run;
- Marketing.
“My hope for the Mending Chronicles handbook is that children of divorce can go on a journey with the main characters, Liam and Emily, and work through their own responses to divorce and be equipped to deal with the changes they face,” she said.
“I am a firm believer in the power of emotional intelligence to help children express themselves effectively so that they can communicate their thoughts and needs and receive the help and support they require. Spirituality is also part of Liam and Emily’s story, which I hope will be well received by the Afrikaans community. I’m very excited to think that this amazing resource can be made available to Afrikaans children in their own language bringing healing and emotional wellness to the next generation.” Knox concluded.
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