First Post The story and thoughts behind one photo
Thought this would be fun and at the same time a place to chat about the things that have had such an impact for me while travelling overseas... so it’s probably not going to be a light read but hopefully provocative without being too much in your face – in one sentence I would have this blog spot ‘create debate and positive change’.
I am in Haiti right now. I arrived Friday evening in a rural village. At about 2:00 am loud wails, screams from across the street – my son is dead. When I arrived they were holding a prayer meeting for the man in his twenties who has had some kind of stroke. He died in the night. The whole community has rallied. The funeral will be tomorrow. Now whether this man’s death could have been avoided, it has been suggested it is as a result of untreated high blood pressure, will probably be unresolved. For his family a devastating event not only because of the obvious loss but as he represented economic hope for the whole family, now their hope is ‘like a boat floating adrift’.
In yet another land where there is extreme poverty, (the official definition is to live on less than $1.25/day) – once again it is difficult to wrap one’s mind around the problems let alone the solution. Every conversation ends with a heart wrenching request for help – and these are genuine needs. I kind of hide behind a line stating that I want my images and the telling of their stories to generate money to support the people supporting them. It always feels lame. And yet at the same time it is the truth. What I consider one of my greatest sins was not finding a way to give to a family with starving children. It was an incredibly difficult situation with hundreds in the same state, but this family came to me, asked me – I took their photo and we did generate about $8m – but they still came to me.
As for this trip, more than ever I am convinced that we need to address the roots of poverty if we are to see any lasting change. The band aid over a deep wound is never enough but the band aid and getting to the root problem is the right thing to do. Poverty always comes from a multitude of factors, not easily untangled but some that are being addressed here are education, providing schools for all ages through the community. Providing healthcare and leading the world in addressing the relationship between hunger, poverty, education and death as a result of TB & AIDS.
I said I want to create debate and positive change – for the most part this comes down to finding a way to get others to give money... but is that something you want to do? It is one thing to buy into an idea like the world needing to change, or eradicating this new poverty – new to the 20thcentury anyway. But what would make it easy for you to give... how much would work for you? This can’t be about creating guilt and then a request for a one off gift to ease a conscience – a nasty business, patronizing to both the people receiving help and those giving it. Here’s another question then, what would inspire you to give?
Here’s a list of possibles: Knowing the people who are being helped? Knowing exactly what difference your gift had made? Knowing that the root cause was being addressed? Knowing that issues of trade and justice were being addressed? Being personally connected somehow? Receiving a gift in return... like a photo or welcome package or letter of thanks? None of the above, all of the above, nothing at all as it would take heaven and earth to get you to respond – after all we all know the story of the Good Samaritan and the sheep and goats, we all know that it is a Christian imperative to care for the poor when we see them. Perhaps this is the truth – but deep down I don’t think it is. I think all people have a generous spirit just waiting to be unlocked. We know we are connected and when we meet we sense it and the barriers and prejudice come down. Through a handshake or a smile, or as a result of the kind of contact I had today when I spoke with the parents who have just lost their son, when they asked me to pray in their house, in the room where he died the night I arrived.
© All Photos copyright Jim Loring. No reproduction without permission.
This blog is a response to the needs I see. My plan is to find grassroots projects that are addressing both the root causes and immediate needs of those living in extreme poverty. I will pass on 100% of any gift given to help.
Checks should be made payable to ‘Community Partnership of Rabun’ marked ‘MyWorld/Haiti’ and sent to Community Partnership/MyWorld, 196 Ridgecrest Circle, Clayton, GA 30525, USA
Thanks!
© All Photos copyright Jim Loring. No reproduction without permission.
