child of hope.......jose luis

Jose-Luis. I was struck by his beauty in repose when I downloaded this

shot. He is very shy and has the most soulful eyes. When he smiles

his face breaks into a million rays of sunshine. All the children I met in

barrio villa esperanza had an aura of serenity. Some had the weight of more

responsibility in their eyes but still carried that same calmness. Not once, in the many visits I made to the barrio, did I see a child with a store-bought toy. No trucks, no Dinky cars, no dolls. In fact, I saw so many kids carrying their very young siblings, or with them on their lap, it seemed real babies were their dolls. Catapults are very popular. Home-made from a piece of tree branch & strip of rubber. Stop. Pick up a pebble. Pull. Release. Simple joys. I don't remember seeing a child crying. Not quite true. A few babies and toddlers got freaked out as soon as they saw the camera it seemed and started crying. I didn't photograph them :) Nor did I see any kids squabbling amongst themselves. It's the strangest thing. I've seen it in Mexico too. These children have nothing. No money. No toys. No "things" No life outside the barrio. They live in abject poverty.Yet they are content and love each other to bits. It was a profound experience to be among them.

 

 

all images in the "child of hope" series taken for Empowerment International

 

 

 

Done