I photographed this ‘cutie’ as we rounded up Day 2 of Send Portions 2011. We just had an awesome time with the children in Abete with over 1500 children in attendance. (follow the story and photo report on Memoirs) This little girl kept looking at us as we collapsed the canopies, moved our speakers and gear back into the truck.
I knew she had been at the party because of the tell-tale marks of face paint. Her expression seemed to say : “please don’t leave, I want more cakes, ice cream and some extra fun…” This was one shot I didn’t want to miss… a classic , coming from my Canon Rebel T3i. I shot at an easy ISO 100, f/6.3.
We will surely come back honey… with nice gifts for the next Send Portions in 2012.
On our Summer Dream Trip We were at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra, Ghana and all the children ran excitedly through the park looking at the different statues and plaques scattered all over the park. Of course I had taken a lot of exciting shots but I couldn’t help but notice Kenny – one of a pair of identical twins living in the InnerCity Mission Home. He just stood there, on his own, gazing into space.
What could be going through Kenny’s mind? He is one of several kids who live together in the Home and and yes, they all have their different stories of dejection, and memories of the hardships of street life. 8-year old Kenny must be looking again at the past and probably wondering where he would have been today had he not been rescued by the InnerCity Mission.He looks like he is looking into the future with confidence and assurance that things would definitely be fine. And indeed it will be with the continues support of Partners just like you!!
I was glad I got this shot
Remember, Every child is your child
The gentle innocent look of this little child gripped me as I walked through the streets of Oto, a remote village in the city of Lagos characterized by such derelict conditions you wondered if it should be fit for human habitation. Our mission? To distribute free mosquito treated nets and extend the love of Jesus Christ to those who lived here – especially the children. As they arrived at the distribution point we set up, I was gripped with emotion, my hands trembled as I saw these children rejoice at our gifts, without even caring what it was, they were simply contented to know that someone cared.
The beautiful little girl in my picture caught my attention….I watched as she grabbed a hold of her mother, out of fear or awe, I know not. I slowly lifted my camera and got into position, as I squatted, focused and took this picture; everything about her quietly screamed for help…. I heard her in my head as she looked straight into my lens. I thought I heard her scream howbeit without words “it is going to rain, our home will sink into the refuse tonight, help me, I am just a child”.
Her silent plea echoed through my mind causing me to snap back to reality…. I asked myself, “why am I right in her face? What brought me here?”
I know there is hope for this little girl and you are that hope‼ Will you be God’s outstretched arm to this little girl and many more like her? When you partner with the InnerCity Mission of Christ Embassy, you become God’s answer to their silent plea for help.
Remember, every child is your child‼
Street Children - their Struggle for Survival !
Choosing the path of integrity, instead of the path of shame as they wash my car windshields…the boys, clean every wind shield they have a chance to once the traffic light turns red. As they frantically clean, they will see little children just like them inside the cars,but what can they do but continue to strive to survive? As I snapped their pictures, I was full of emotion…..”what can I render?” The near insignificant pocket change for a well executed cleaning job or the guarantee of a secure future?
There is truly no telling what will become of these boys…..statistics have it that while many street kids die of malnutrition, extreme weather conditions, motor accidents and the uncountable dangers of the street life, others become a threat to society. Left on the street, these boys will soon become hardened criminals without mercy especially for the rich.
I took one more shot before the traffic light turned green, and I had to leave….thank God I am a partner with the InnerCity Mission of Christ Embassy. Through the InnerCity Mission, I am doing more than just giving pocket change. We must touch the unclean and render help to these helpless ones….Remember, Every Child is Your Child!
