Six hours from coke

Six hours from coke The story and thoughts behind one photo

When travelling in some of the most remote areas we would try to figure out how far we were from a coke.  We made six hours on one occasion.  The time was cut short due to the fact that two locals overheard us joking and decided to buy us a coke and walk for several hours to keep the time down. 



Let’s face it, we are all an arm’s length from a coke, all connected in some way. 

The world has become a small place and our history is not that far away either. 

On the west coast of Africa, where this photo was taken, two countries sit side by side.   The British sent their free slaves back to Sierra Leone and the American’s sent theirs to Liberia. 

The return of former slaves has caused violence with the locals ever since.

It has been said that time is a great healer but reality most often proves this saying is wrong and reconciliation that leads to freedom demands more. 

In 2002, a group of women in Liberia formed a group and stood up against the violence.  Their statement read, “In the past we were silent, but after being killed, raped, dehumanized, and infected with diseases, and watching our children and families destroyed, war has taught us that the future lies in saying ‘no’ to violence and ‘yes’ to peace.  We will not relent until peace prevails.”   

There have been other brave examples such as the South African style truth and reconciliation commission.  The perpetrators of political crimes were brought face to face with their victims, and here with the offer of amnesty, the truth was brought to bear.  No magic formulas, much pain and many critics, but none the less new foundations can be built on the truth and there is the chance to start over. 

Perhaps we have no responsibility for the decisions of those who act on our behalf either in the past or today.  And nations taking responsibility, with declarations of apology, is a hugely controversial issue.  But none the less there is tremendous power in speaking the truth - it brings the chance to start over. 

© Photo copyright Jim Loring/Tearfund.  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 other photos copyright Jim Loring.  No reproduction without permission.

You Will Do Your Chores

You Will Do Your Chores The story and thoughts behind one photo

This family live in the rift valley of Ethiopia, it is a five hour hike to the nearest road.  They were too poor to send their children to school, not because it cost anything, they simply needed the entire family to pull together, work the land and grow enough to eat.  Direbe is just five years old and surely this is another face of extreme poverty, where even the hope of a better life is stripped away before anyone gets a chance. 

Education is one of those key areas that create opportunities for the next generation.  It addresses one of the root causes of extreme poverty.  It is ironic that in this community a groundbreaking education project was under way.  With donated land the people had pulled together to clear the ground for the simple school building.  The teachers were volunteers.   School materials were kept to a minimum favoring the use of natural products to ensure sustainability, and classrooms were packed.  These kids want to learn, they understand the alternative.      

© Photo copyright Jim Loring/Tearfund.  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 other photos copyright Jim Loring.  No reproduction without permission.

The Road to Hope

The Road to Hope The story and thoughts behind one photo

Jacques is nine and lives in Haiti.  His mother was twelve when he was born and just a few years later her husband died.  She now lives with a man, ‘old enough to be my father’.  She has three children, lives in poverty and is in no position to care for Jacques.  But Jacques was noticed by someone who cared enough to go meet with his mother and offer help.  He goes home to sleep with his mother and she is glad for the help.  Jacques now has clean clothes, somewhere to play and is receiving an education.  He has a long way to go and needs financial support, but surely these are the things that every child should have.  The UN has a list of child rights... each child should have an adequate standard of living, a right to healthcare, education and a right to play. 

I once met an eleven year old child in Colombia who spoke about her rights.  Her right to an education, she said, was something she had to take responsibility for.  It was up to her to take hold of her rights and so she sought out the smartest person in her community to make her claim.

And in Africa the classrooms are full, sixty kids sitting behind desks – tightly packed and silent as they listen with intent.  Somehow they know how important it is to claim their rights.  Without an education the future is clear.  Lack of education leads the road to poverty but choosing to learn leads to hope.             

© Photo 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!   

© Photo copyright Jim Loring.  No reproduction without permission.

Haiti Report Back Photos

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.

The Human Face

 

The Human Face The story and thoughts behind one photo

I was in London a few years ago and saw a sign outside one of the museums that gave world population statistics.  The world’s population has more than doubled in my lifetime.  In 1960 the figure was around 3 Billion; in 2010 it is close to 6.9 Billion.  The US has around 310 million people, the UK 62 million.  The African continent has about 1 Billion, China as the most populous country has about 1.3 Billion and India 1.2 Billion. 

And about 16,000 children die of hunger related causes each day.

These are huge numbers and statistics can be so abstract.  This photo puts a human face on extreme poverty.  It was taken in Ethiopia in 2000 during what became known as the green famine.  A splash of rain came early that year.  The crops sprang up, everything looked lush, but there was nothing to harvest.  For Tamirat Abaye three years of crop failure had led to extreme poverty.  I had met him and his family the day before this photo was taken.  Zewdi, his 9 year old daughter, was severely malnourished but had been so accommodating, turning for my camera, listening to the instructions.  And this day, from across the crowd, Tamirat had caught my eye and turned to the camera as though giving permission for the picture to be taken, for his story to be told. 

This is the face of extreme poverty, where you watch your children die. 

Currently I am raising funds for Haiti.  For me the important thing is to address both the root causes of extreme poverty and the immediate needs, things like shelter, food, clean water, education and work – simple enough.   Accountability is the other thing.  Many agencies are aware of the need to manage gifts and see the positive results for gifts given.  If you want to help check my message below or contact me direct.     

Thanks.

© Photo copyright Jim Loring/Tearfund.  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 other photos copyright Jim Loring.  No reproduction without permission.