Tatiana Sharpe celebrates book
TATIANA SHARPE, the daughter of prominent businessman Ken Sharpe, is celebrating a book she wrote 20 years ago when she was aged seven.
After publishing the book, “The Lonely Tiger”, Tatiana arguably became the country’s youngest author.
Writing on her social media page, Tatiana said she wrote the book for children all over the world who love animals and want to make a positive impact in society.
The book explores the power of friendship. It also preaches the virtues of forgiveness, sharing, doing good and giving back.
“I loved storytelling and writing, and decided I wanted to help children in my own way. I decided to write this book, based on the values of friendship that I was taught,” she wrote on her social media account.
Proceeds from the book, which has also been transformed into an animation, are being used to help children living in poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Her charitable works include working with children from Harare Children’s Home, while charitable organisations that are benefiting from Tatiana’s benevolence are Danai Children’s Home, Selby Farm School Charity, Hellenic Special Needs School and Shungu Dzevana Trust Children’s Home, among others.
Blakiston Primary School in Harare and many schools in Hwedza and Bulawayo have also benefited.
She is currently raising money for Ukrainian International School. Proceeds from “The Lonely Tiger” collection of pyjamas and other items are also being used to fight child abuse and cancer in children in Ukraine.
Tatiana — who studied International Relations at King’s College, London (2016) — is working with Harare International School to raise money for children living with albinism.
The money that is being raised from the sale of “The Lonely Tiger” collection in countries like the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Japan, Seychelles and the United Arab Emirates is being channelled towards supporting the fight against cancer.
In addition, she has a passion for children with disabilities and supports them through various initiatives, particularly in Chitungwiza.
The author has also worked with Palestinian and Syrian refugees at the NGO “Right to Play” and is a Global Council member at World Merit.
She attributes her charitable work to her family background.
“I was lucky to grow up in an environment where my parents taught me the true meaning of the impact humanitarian work can have.
“Since I was a little girl, my mother took me to orphanages and charities in my home country and being exposed to poverty and social injustice fuelled my desire to make a positive impact.”
Tatiana is currently promoting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, whose endeavour is to promote quality education.
Sales from her book are being used to enhance children’s right to receive education in Africa.