The early years of a child's development are of paramount importance to the formation of their identity, which is why Elisavet Arkolaki, a mother of two who was locally-based for about a decade, has launched a crowdfunding campaign to support the publication of Where am I from? - an original children's book with an inclusive story illustrated by street art.
With a degree in French language and literature from the University of Athens, a certificate of proficiency in English awarded by Cambridge University and a Master of Science in Global Marketing from the University of Liverpool all under her belt, Elisavet admits that her strongest passion has always been the written world. She has embarked on a journey to "bring home the concept that we are more alike than we are different" and has been working on the development of Where am I from? for over a year.
Her book sets out in search of a simple, universal answer to the question: "Where am I from? It reflects the innocence and purity of a child's perception, as storytelling helps young ones make sense of the world around them. Ultimately, the book depicts a fun, educational and artistic journey that is told through the eyes of children from all six continents, with the youngest child delivering the answer to the burning question.
Elisavet, originally from Greece, had studied and trained in different countries before settling down in Malta where she met the love of her life, got married and gave birth to her first child. Her children have also travelled and experienced life in various countries including Malta, Greece, Norway and Thailand. The book's concept was born following her eldest child's questions about various countries in which they had lived, only for him to come to the conclusion that he was from Spain, a country he had never even visited. This, she believed, was due to the fact that her family had lived "in between cultures, countries and languages".
Somewhat perplexed by her son's statement, Elisavet was surprised to discover that, according to the 2015 United Nations Population Fund, there are 244 million people worldwide who are living outside their country of origin. Even as an adult, Elisavet admits that it is difficult to provide an adequate answer when questioned about her family's origins. This would entail spiralling back in time to point out the various countries in which each member of the family has lived, where they were born and raised and every country they have visited - all of which, she says, "have shaped our identities and hearts".
This book seeks to promote tolerance and diversity among its readership, which, essentially, can change the way future generations think, and help them become more empathetic and caring in an increasingly-globalised world. Celebrating different cultures and ethnicities during a child's early years will encourage them to focus on the underlying similarities which connect people across cultures.
Where am I from? is not only innovative in its message, which targets multicultural and multiracial children as well as the hundreds of millions of people living outside of their home country, but also in its form. "Art is what makes us human and being human is a political act in itself," says Elisavet. The book will be the first-ever children's publication to consist solely of photography of murals, which will be created by Platon, a well-known street-artist based in Athens. Through a close collaborative process, words and art have come together to build cultural bridges, and the publishing of Where am I from? has been entrusted to Faraxa Publishing.
The creatives behind the book are hoping to raise €10,500 by 15 August. Members of the community who share the campaign's page will not only receive two short stories by Elisavet, but also a copy of the essential guide How to raise confident multicultural children written by international experts in the field including Brian Vassallo, assistant head of school and visiting lecturer at the University of Malta. Rewards for backers include digital and hardback covers of the book, the possibility of having the main characters painted after the contributor and their child, hand-drawn portraits and accompanying lesson plans.
Besides being a professional writer, Elisavet has trained in teaching foreign languages and online marketing while also running Maltamum.com, Malta's top parenting blog, being the exclusive local retailer for two top international babywearing brands and co-founder of international award-winning company All-in Translations.
Keep updated on her latest project and make your contribution by visiting her Kickstarter page at:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2033117588/733304826?ref=489899&token=a8d58368