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.