Travel & Humanitarian Photos
Today has been one of mixed emotions. The exuberance, energy and enthusiasm of the children we have met has left me smiling broadly and it’s humbling to spend time with kids who don’t have much in a material sense yet who’s default state seems to be excited, grinning, cheeky, cheerfulness.
We spent time at schools and orphanages and, for a while, it was easy to overlook how, in many senses, these kids are really disadvantaged. To be honest, I’m still processing a lot of what I encountered and perhaps it’s impossible to make any real sense of the situation that many children face here. Better men and women than I have tried and are still struggling to bring some comprehension and perspective to what can be found in Ethiopia, and many places like it.
A rough estimate of the number of children that I’d happily adopt numbers 376 at the last count. Approximately.
One of our favourites today was young Tsaga, a three year-old orphan who has her home at the Safe Haven for Children.
Tsaga, an orphan at Safe Haven for Children
The children at the Abebach Gobena Primary School were enchanting and entertaining in equal measure.
Schoolchildren at Abebach Gobena Yehetsanat Primary School
Schoolchildren at Abebach Gobena Yehetsanat Primary School
Children at Safe Haven for Children
Children at "A Hope for Children"
These boys at one of Addis Ababa’s two “A Hope for Children” orphanages couldn’t have been more enthusiastic and were willing models when the camera appeared. However, a peculiar thing happened shortly after I took this photo. I’d been playing with the kids, sharing jokes, making up special handshakes and generally enjoying my role as lumbering buffoon, much to their amusement, when, without warning, they disappeared inside the nearby building.
I asked where they’d gone.
“To get their medication” was the answer.
Having been overwhelmed by the kids’ energy and playfulness, I’d forgotten exactly where I was and then it dawned on me. The kids were getting their HIV meds.
“How many of them are HIV positive?” I asked.
“All of them”.
An HIV+ child receives his daily medication at "A Hope for Children"
I have no words. Except to say that I don’t think my mood has ever shifted so dramatically from unadulterated joyfulness to profound sadness in a split-second before. It is beyond sad, it just seems so dreadfully unfair.
A Hope for Children
The last photo I shot today was taken as the children at a second orphanage for HIV+ kids took a break from watching a movie to have their dinner. I remember the painting on the wall from my childhood. It’s taken on a very different meaning for me today.
And yet, not wanting to conclude this post on a downbeat, the children have taught me that there are always reasons to be optimistic, always reasons to share a smile and that every day is a good day if you have the opportunity to share it with friends. I didn’t hear even one child utter a word of complaint today. If that’s not a lesson worth learning then I don’t know what is.
Gavin, it’s a beautiful post “coming straight from the heart” and it’s certainly the reason why I love reading your blog so much ! They seems to have so much love to give…and to receive…Thanks for sharing and keep writing
Can’t wait for the next postcard
Thanks for the encouragement Nath.
Fabulous post Gavin. I absolutely understand the mixture of elation and heartache that comes from being among kids like this. Don’t underestimate the immense gift you have given them this week – often these kids are ignored or shunned – you got in there and treated them as equals, worthy of being photographed and loved.
You’re a good man, Charlie Brown!
yep.