Introductory Letter

Dear Interviewer:
September 2001

With Survivor gearing up for its third season, America's interest in Kenya has not been as great since Out of Africa was released in 1985. Explorer Melinda Atwood, author of JAMBO, MAMA: Memories of Africa (Cypress House; $24.95, hardcover; publication date: October 11, 2001) lived in Kenya for six years and experienced first-hand many of the perils that will be facing this season's Survivor cast from wildlife attacks to being held hostage at gunpoint in the African bush.

Well acquainted with Kenya, its terrain, and social, cultural, and economic customs and conditions, Melinda Atwood is an expert who, with wit and few holds barred, can share her views and separate the facts from the fallacies surrounding this ancient, mystical country. She offers everyone from the Survivor cast to the ordinary tourist 10 Tips for Surviving in the African Bush.

Melinda Atwood can also discuss the prickly political climate of Kenya including: the corruption that pervades every aspect of life; the place of women in the society amid the dangerously escalating birthrate; the dearth of educational opportunities; the fatal nature of tribalism; and the overly romanticized view of Africa that still persists in the American media today.

She has hours of videotape capturing her safaris to all areas of Kenya, including footage of the tribal dances of the Samburu tribes -people, which is both rare and exceptional. It was shot in Samburu National Reserve, located directly adjacent to Shaba Reserve, site of the Survivor 3 taping.

Her Jambo, Mama website (http://www.jambomama.com) is dedicated to stories and photographs of her experiences in Kenya. She has most recently been writing articles on living in Kenya and offering bush survival tips on Survivorfever.net. Readers from all over the world have applauded her knowledgeable contributions to this website that gets more than 30,000 hits a day.

Melinda Atwood lives in New York City and is available for interview (outside of New York by telephone or special arrangement). Please contact me at 212-787-4822 or bcpetrone@aol.com to arrange an interview.

Sincerely,
Ben Petrone
Publicist

466 Amsterdam Avenue
Suite 5A
New York City, New York 10024
212-787-4822
Ben Petrone Communications