THE WEIGHT of the world seems heavier than ever right now and, as people – young and old – deal with ongoing acts of racism amid a global pandemic, a new book co-authored by an Oxfordshire charity boss proves why it is never too early to learn about race, culture, nationality and class.

Written by the CEO of the Oxfordshire-based charity the Nasio Trust Nancy Mudenyo Hunt and author and speaker Sylvia Vetta, the novel tackles knife crime and fractured community relations in a council housing estate in London and patriarchy in western Kenya.

The problems covered in their book Not so Black and White range from gang violence and racial tension in the capital to arranged marriages, girl child education, and tribal expectations in Kenya.

They affect many young people today and are even more poignant now during powerful Black Lives Matter protests across Oxfordshire following George Floyd’s killing.

Associate minister at the University Church, Oxford, Charlotte Parker said about the book: "The authors manage to weave these worlds together in a proactive way that challenges the reader to take a fresh look at critical issues that are of huge importance in our world today."

While their novel will be released in a print format in the autumn, the two women strongly believe the book's theme of transformation against the odds of discrimination and patriarchy is needed right now.

With all proceeds from the sales going to the Nasio Trust, Not so Black and White will be released on Amazon as an E-book from Wednesday.

The compelling work of fiction was inspired by Ms Hunt's life experiences as the 13th daughter of a Luhya tribal chief who grew up in a small village in western Kenya.

She then moved to the UK where she proceeded to have a successful career as a leadership trainer for Thames Valley Police until she founded the Nasio Trust charity to support orphaned and vulnerable children back in her homeland.

The CEO also established the 'Exit 7' programme that aims to help young people in the country who drift into antisocial behaviour, using alcohol, drugs and solvent abuse, and vandalism,.

In recognition of her numerous achievements transforming children's lives, Ms Hunt was awarded with the prestigious NatWest Most Inspirational Woman award and an Honorary Doctorate by the Open University for her ‘exceptional’ contribution to development and countering social exclusion

The other co-author of the novel Ms Vetta was director of Oxford Antiques Centre which she named the ‘Jam Factory’ and was chairman of the Thames Valley Arts and Antiques Dealers Association between 1997-2001

The two received a lot of praise for their unusual co-authorship and many readers called the novel 'amazing' and 'inspirational' including 18-year-old Nasio Trust volunteer Keziah Buss.

She sad: "The mix of commentary on society and the key message that our differences and experiences can unite us are so important and will definitely have an impact on the people who read it."