Photodocumentary - Ethiopia Part 1

Since we have come back from Ethiopia, I have truly been blessed that my images have encouraged and motivated others to give and help in Zeway, Ethiopia. Many people have asked me to give the stories behind the images I have posted. Though I truly believe that these images speak for themselves, this is my chance as a photographer to talk about the emotions I was feeling, what went into the picture, and to give further insight into the people that have touched our lives in a way that does not allow us to ever be the same.

Village Girl

This was the first village that we came to in our trip to Ethiopia. Worja Woshgula is a small community of a few hundred farmers, poor, stricken with poverty and inadequate food supplies, and needing medical attention for the children and elderly.

My first reaction to seeing the living conditions was of discomfort out of my abundance and overwhelming comfort as an American. Yes, I did have to repress my feelings of guilt and questions of unfairness. However, what I soon realized was that beyond their impoverished physical nature, they had a great abundance of wealth in their character. I believe the best way to describe the children of Worja Woshgula is "filled with joy." Crying and complaining was not of their disposition. They demonstrated no feelings of unfairness, loss, or inadequacy. They did not want nor need our pity, but desired our attention, love, and affection. In return, they gave us their hearts.

And then became the "photo frenzy." I would take pictures of the children, and once their image popped up on my LCD, I would show them their picture. For many children, this was the first time they had seen their face or a photograph. And what started as a cautious child having a very large camera pointed at them, soon turned into the largest smile and greatest laughter one could ever imagine. It was amazing using a gift of mine to bring joy to these children.

Children were jumping in front of my camera at almost every shot, making it difficult at times to document the projects we were trying to accomplish. However, after an hour, we were about to board this bus while a small village girl, matty hair, tattered clothes, and bare-footed tugged on my sleeve. The village children knew very little english, but there were a few words she put together that made me have to take her picture. "You....You...please....photo." This young girl, in all of her poverty and worldly iniquity, knew she was beautiful. Furthermore, I had a sense she knew she was helping her people.

As I raised my camera to take her picture, she stepped back towards an aged fence, valiant in its struggle against time and gravity, and she began to pose herself . The sun, in perfect timing as if meeting some divine appointment, broke through the clouds and illuminated the side of her face. It was as if God himself was reaching out and touching her face

For what was a few seconds of time in a divine appointment in our lives will always stay with me. As I lowered my camera, she gave me the most precious smile of thanks. Soon, we were boarding the bus and leaving the children of Worja Woshgula for the day. However, I cannot wait to meet these children again.

The children of Ethiopia will probably never see these photos printed or put to use. But I think in their minds, something much more important was going on in the photographs. In a land that has been forgotten by the world; a land filled with orphans that, because of the loss of their father, legally do not exist; withina land of famine, death, and disease, these children know they will never be forgotten. They know that people understand who they are, and that they have a sense of purpose. With every photograph, they had a both a cry of "do not forget me," and a shout of triumph "I will be remembered."

I will never forget these children.