Book and Online Auction Launched to Support Madonna`s African Charity

NEW YORK--(Business Wire)--
Madonna`s charity Raising Malawi helps to launch the new book I Am Because We
Are (PowerHouse Books, $49.95), and an online auction on April 2nd to benefit
children in Malawi, a country of only 13 million people, yet home to over 1
million AIDS orphans. I Am Because We Are is a poignant new book of images and
testimonials of AIDS orphans and their families by award-winning photojournalist
Kristen Ashburn. The book features images taken by Ashburn for Madonna`s feature
documentary of the same name as well as her work documenting the pandemic
throughout southern Africa over the last decade. All author proceeds from the
book sales and the auction will go to Raising Malawi and The Raising Malawi
Academy for Girls.

"It never ceases to amaze me that there is a complete disconnect between our
daily lives and the severity of the pandemic in Africa," says photographer
Ashburn, whose large black and white portraits of AIDS orphans and struggling
families will be displayed at the event. With the global financial crisis taking
a heavy toll on sources of funding that sustain the work of charities in Africa,
the new I Am Because We Are book campaign seeks to expand that base. The book
raises awareness of the crisis by introducing readers to the stories of children
living with the effects of HIV/AIDS, and acts as a fundraising tool, because
with each book sold, money goes to Raising Malawi. "This book is a call to
action," says singer, songwriter John Legend.

An April 2nd book launch event at PowerHouse Arena in Dumbo, Brooklyn, will
kick-off the book and online auction, which will include a number of
one-of-a-kind items contributed by Madonna and her inner circle. The bidding
begins April 2 on eBay and remains open to a global audience through April 12:
www.ebay.com/raisingmalawi.

In addition, a photo exhibition of Ashburn`s work is open to the public at
PowerHouse Arena throughout the month of April. More information about the book
can be found at www.iambecausewearebook.com.

J. Howard Public Relations
Jenifer Howard, 203-273-4246
jhoward1@optonline.net

Copyright Business Wire 2009