View allAll Photos Tagged Hopeforthefuture
This standing stone circle is older than the famous Stonehenge. It is far bigger and would have had an amazing arrangement of stones in its design. Sadly over the years the stones were destroyed by locals who needed building materials,to make room for agriculture and mainly because of the fear the church had about "pagan" rituals. The stone circle is now a national heritage site and, unlike at Stonehenge, visitors are allowed to walk freely amongst the stones.
Alexander is 12 years old, the oldest of 5 , 3 boys, 2 youngest girls.He does not have an easy time at home, parental frustrations are inflicted upon him. He yearns for approval and is thriving in the positive reinforcement Kathy & her team at Empowerment International offer him unconditionally. Initially absenteeism from school was frequent but now his attendance is much more consistant. He's enthusiastic participant in the photography programme & happily accompanied us for hours, on our rounds through barrio villa esperanza, clicking away with the camera Kathy loaned him from EI's donated supply.
A one shot spontaneous capture......I lifted my camera, he turned his head. I believe it reveals the very essence of who Alexander is, in all his raw vulnerability. Lovely boy, he is.
all images in the "child of hope" series taken for Empowerment International
siblings andres and maria....children of santa ana, nicaragua
We did not go to the children's homes in Santa Ana. They met us at the small community centre, a building that used to be the school before the government built a new school (which looked rather like a portable). The boy , Andres, here with his sweet sister Maria, was intense and charismatic. And very photogenic.
all images in the "child of hope" series taken for Empowerment International
Why do I call them 'children of hope"? Because they live in villa esperanza, which means 'village of hope'' and because the power of education is their only hope for a better future.
A little disturbing , huh? Just telling it like it is. Rosa's life. This is the primary outdoor living space of her family. It's rainy season. Negotiating the mud is a part of daily life at this time of year. Kathy & I were invited in for a visit. Plastic chairs were brought out for us. I got to hold the baby :) 11 year old Rosa was doing the laundry. She is a child of great physical beauty & poise & is very bright. She deserves more. Education is the tool that can give her more. She goes to school every day, All the chuildren in this family are in Empowerment International's education programme, except the little one who isn't old enough yet. They all have sponsors who have embraced them. They all just might have a chance.
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all photos in the 'child of hope' series taken by ana_lee_smith for Empowerment International
11 year old rosa outside her home in villa esperanza ( village of hope ),
a poverty stricken barrio of granada, nicaragua, where the average
family income is less than $2 a day
all images in the "child of hope" series taken for Empowerment International
Came upon this scene far outside Granada, in the rural community of Santa Ana, visiting the childen there that are also in Empowerment International's education programme. You can see the flimsy house -shelter through the trees. But beautiful music was playing, a spanish guitar recording, and the rhythmic sound of someone chopping wood was like a pulse moving through the air as a boy rode by on a bike. For a moment I thought I was viewing paradise. Til I remembered the desperate reality of the lives lived here and in the barrio villa esperanza. But then again, maybe Maria-Celeste's grace comes from the fact that she knows something I don't know.
When I go with Kathy into the barrio, Villa Esperanza, it feels rather like being the pied piper. Children appear from all directions. They love having their photograph taken & are thrilled to view it on the review screen. Many are quiet, even shy, but others are intent on entertaining us with cartwheels, handstands, swinging from trees, dancing. They are sweet natured gentle souls, every last one of them, with beautiful smiles. Poverty of spirit is not in evidence among them. Delight & joy in life is.
Came upon this scene yesterday while out in the rural community of Santa Ana, visiting the childen there that are also in Kathy's education programme. You can see the flimsy house -shelter through the trees. But beautiful music was playing, a spanish guitar recording, and the rhythmic sound of someone chopping wood was like a pulse moving through the air as a boy rode by on a bike. For a moment I thought I was viewing paradise. Til I remembered the desperate reality of the lives lived here and in the barrio villa esperanza. But then again, maybe Maria-Celeste's grace comes from the fact that she knows something I don't know.
Daniela's youngest sister & oldest brother in the front doorway of their home.This is, in fact, a "nice" house compared to many. Some are nothing more than sheets of corrugated iron propped up..........or even pieces of plastic. There is no foundation in a great many of the barrio homes. In rainy season, the families are negotiating a sea of mud in their living space.
all images in the "child of hope" series taken for Empowerment International
Sweet Lupita with her brothers, Jose & Carlos. Barely a toy to be found anywhere in the barrio....what else will you NOT find amongst the children of villa esperanza? Crying....fighting.....tantrums....bullying. You WILL find lots of laughter & giggles....imaginitive play in the mud & constant affection toward each other.
all images in the "child of hope" series taken for Empowerment International
rosa.....in the interior yard of her home........at 11 years of age her
grace, beauty and intelligence shines..........she's participating in
empowerment international' s photography programme & loving it.
A woman in a black bathing suit, glasses and a hat is sitting in the sand on the beach contemplating the sea and the blue sky in the morning hours
Reno with sisters Isabel and Eva, seen earlier with oldest sister Daniela
all images in the "child of hope" series taken for Empowerment International
Having spent some time connecting to a healing energy we then used it to focus on specific areas of the circle. This stone is more made of crystal than rock and was a great focus point.
destination............the school where their father works..........waiting for the gate to be opened
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all photos in the 'child of hope' series taken by ana_lee_smith for Empowerment International
Juan......Rosa........Armando...........& Maria
All the children in rosa's family are in Empowerment International's education programme. They all go to school every day. They're all doing well. They all have sponsors who have embraced them. They all may just have a chance at a better future.
all images in the "child of hope" series taken for Empowerment International
My favourite series of pics from villa esperanza. Roberto making sure that his little brother, Manuel, gets home safely from school. Both in their school uniforms, (navy pants & white shirts, shoes, oversized knapsacks), supplied by Empowerment International. The schools are overcrowded so split into two attendance sessions, morning and afternoon. Kathy & I walked with them all the way back to their home. Roberto didn't let go of Manuel for a single second. Their bond of brotherly love was strongly evident. They are the younger brothers of Alexander, seen earlier in the child of hope series. If all three brothers stay in school, it's very possible they'll have a chance for a brighter future.
all images in the "child of hope" series taken for Empowerment International
A HUGE and rather wonderful mural by Urban Canvas, symbolising 'Hope for the Future' on the side of The Snow Hill, a Homeless Services scheme in Birmingham.
Birmingham, West Midlands, UK.
My Birmingham set.
I just learned last night that one of the 3 snow leopard cubs has died. The boy was born with a bad heart. And the 2 remaining girls, well, I hope and pray all is well for them.
woodlandparkzblog.blogspot.com/2012/06/snow-leopard-cubs-...
In the barrio Villa Esperanza, on assignment taking photos of the children in Empowerment International's education programme, the 2 boys above, who are not in EI's programme, came from behind the corrugated iron fencing & told me with their gaze that they wanted to have their photograph taken too. They are all 'children of hope' after all. They carried very sombre expressions ...until I showed them the image I'd just taken on the review screen. The flicker of a smile passed between them & was then offered to the photographer. A more than fair exchange.
This mage was taken outside one of the villa esperanza homes. Though
the dog does appear to have a feral quality, hence the title, he's not really
wild per se. Rather a statistic of a rampant
phenomena in most third world countries : street dog over-population. He
is one of many roaming the streets of any given community, searching for
food scraps wherever they can find them, (primarily open garbage dumps),
seeming to belong to everybody and nobody. They all seem near starvation
and sleep wherever they drop. They are evident all over downtown Granada
also, not just in the barrios. If one stops at a street- table of any restaurant or
cafe, within moments there are 2 or 3 settling at your feet or under the table
hoping for a morsel. Because of their numbers they can seem scary but their
aggression is usually territorially directed toward other dogs. Most mosey away,
tail between the legs, if you banish them, which one does fearing transmission
of the mange, fleas, internal parasites and other diseases they can carry. Mass
killing as a method of control was unsuccessful. The breeding rate is extremely
high. 2 street dogs can multiply to 300 in 3 years. Many devoping countries, includ-
ing Nicaragua, now have mass sterilization clinics starting up, often conducted
by non-government organizations, in collaboration with local municipalities.
The great Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, in studio, recording "Wild Thing" *~*
Alexander has not had a childhood as our kids know it to be. He's been selling on the street to supplement the family income for as long as he can remember. These are savoury treats made by his grandmother, I believe.
When I met Alexander my first day here he had this mop of black silky hair. The next day, changing his appearance drastically, a shaved head. "Too hot" he said. He's right. Hot is hardly the word for it ! Feel like shaving my own head. But doubt it would look as good as his *~*
all images in the "child of hope" series taken for Empowerment International
Not sharp focus but I like it. Her name is Angel and I think her sticking out ear(s) make her look like a little pixie. She lives in extreme poverty in the barrio Villa Esperanza (Village of Hope), Granada , Nicaragua. The families in the barrio have an average income of $2 a day, yet Angel looks as healthy and bright eyed as the child of any middle class family in northamerica. What she needs is an education for that is her only hope of escape from barrio poverty into a brighter future. Kathy Adams and her team at Empowerment International work with the kids of Villa Esperanza, get them into school, motivate them to stay there. They try to keep that beacon of hope lit and shining a path to their future. Angel is not in EI's programme but she's a "child of hope" nonetheless. May those eyes shine brightly all the days of her life.
all images in the "child of hope" series taken for Empowerment International
alexander's brothers, roberto & manuel, with their happy gang of friends in the barrio...alexander & baby sister, lena, can be seen in the background...I took out my camera & they all came running *~*
My favourite series of pics from villa esperanza. Roberto making sure that his little brother, Manuel, gets home safely from school. Both in their school uniforms, (navy pants & white shirts, shoes, oversized knapsacks), supplied by Empowerment International. The schools are overcrowded so split into two attendance sessions, morning and afternoon. Kathy & I walked with them all the way back to their home. Roberto didn't let go of Manuel for a single second. Their bond of brotherly love was strongly evident. They are the younger brothers of Alexander, seen earlier in the child of hope series. If all three brothers stay in school, it's very possible they'll have a chance for a brighter future.
all images in the "child of hope" series taken for Empowerment International
In Villa Esperanza, a barrio of Granada, on assignment taking photos of the children in Empowerment International's education programme, the 2 boys above, who are not in EI's programme, were watching & seemed to be silently asking me to take their photo. They are all 'children of hope' after all. They carried very sombre expressions ...until shown the images I'd taken on the review screen. The flicker of a smile passed between them & was then offered to the photographer. A more than fair exchange.
This is Jay leading the energy of the day.
a review of one of his talks:
"After an introduction supplied by Tom Blower, outlining changes to the advertised programme, the first speaker, JAYSON STILWELL, took the stage. Jayson’s speciality is Tibetan overtone chanting – a technique in which vocal tones are manipulated by lips, cheeks, throat and tongue to produce a second note several octaves higher, which is superimposed on the first. Imagine a young, fair-haired Jack Dee [UK comedian], without the dead-pan and suit, but definitely with the humour. Jayson gave us a demonstration of overtone chanting and I was very impressed. I have heard others demonstrate the technique before, but never with such control of the overtone notes. He showed us a bass version that is rarely heard, and even at seven rows back I was surprised by the literally eye-watering spinal shivers it induced...... Jayson told us the story of how he found himself singing to a Cornishman’s wounded knee and discovered that the legendary healing qualities of sound are a reality. The chanting even resulted in the manifestation of a much-needed new set of cymbals for his drum kit! Jayson’s talk also covered the use of sound in sacred sites and reinforced the conclusions of a UK TV documentary screened earlier in the week, in which Paul Devereux and others demonstrated that Neolithic and Bronze age people may have designed their burial chambers primarily for their acoustic qualities. The chambers were designed so that standing waves could actually become visible in the medium of incense smoke. Jayson summed up his philosophy with the formula “Sound + Intention = Manifestation” and ended the talk with some audience participation – a communal chant that gave us a glimmer of the consciousness-altering potential of chanting, hinting at the connection between stone age priests and Tibetan monks."
andres' sister maria...........any doubt of their genetic link? :)
all images in the "child of hope" series taken for Empowerment International
Bicycles are the primary mode of transportation in villa esperanza (village of hope), some relatively new looking, many in a seriously delapidated state. Two riding one bicycle is common. You will also see whole families riding one bike...as many as 4....baby on the handlebars, child on the crossbar, mom on the seat, dad standing on the pedals. In the distance, children heading home from school can be seen. Empowerment International's mandate is to get the children of villa esperanza into school & to motivate them to stay there.....education being their only hope of breaking the cycle of poverty for a brighter future.
all images in the "child of hope" series taken for Empowerment International
Rosa's daily life.. Not a pretty picture. A child's toil amidst the mud. Yet her beauty shines. This is the primary outdoor living space of her family. It's rainy season. Negotiating the mud is just a part of daily life at this time of year. Kathy & I were invited in for a visit. Plastic chairs were brought out for us. I got to hold the baby :) 11 year old Rosa was doing the laundry. She is a child of great physical beauty & poise & is very bright. She deserves more. Education is the tool that can give her more. She goes to school every day, All the chuildren in this family are in Empowerment International's education programme, except the little one, Sofia, who isn't old enough yet. They all have sponsors who have embraced them. They all just might have a chance.
all images in the "child of hope" series taken for Empowerment International
for all my friends. Thanks for your beautiful pictures, friendship and support. We may not know where the trail leads but we are compelled to follow it...Thanks - Frank Photo taken by Garren, January 6, 2008. It seemed worth sharing again. May we all find peace and love in the new year!
Children of Granada more fortunate than the boy, of my last post, who lives on the street...what a difference an education will make. Students, most in school uniform, & their teachers, seen sitting on the side door steps of Granada's colonial cathedral.
Juan-Carlos and his mom,, Paola-Marguerite. She's a single mom who works full-time in a factory making clothes. The kids are looked after by the grandmother before and after school. I met Paola-Marguerite at the monthly parent meeting with EI staff. She's a charming woman who carries herself with great dignity & obviously adores Juan-Carlos. He's a sweet gentle boy, with a beautiful smile. And is so eager to please.
all images in the "child of hope" series taken for Empowerment International
Not sharp focus but I like it. Her name is Angel and I think her sticking out ear(s) make her look like a little pixie. She lives in extreme poverty in the barrio Villa Esperanza (Village of Hope), Granada , Nicaragua. The families in the barrio have an average income of $2 a day, yet Angel looks as healthy and bright eyed as the child of any middle class family in northamerica. What she needs is an education for that is her only hope of escape from barrio poverty into a brighter future. Kathy Adams and her team at Empowerment International work with the kids of Villa Esperanza, get them into school, motivate them to stay there. They try to keep that beacon of hope lit and shining a path to their future. Angel is not in EI's programme but she's a "child of hope" nonetheless. May those eyes shine brightly all the days of her life.
all images in the "child of hope" series taken for Empowerment International
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
This is the little guy sitting on the curb in the next pic titled "family life'.
His name is Moise. He's 5 years old & in pre-school
barrio Villa Esperanza, Granada.
all images in the "child of hope" series taken for Empowerment International
frame & signature applied in PicMonkey.
Parent meeting with Empowerment International's team.........held in the yard of one of the families.......agenda included new incentive programmes to keep the children in school and information on an exhibition of the children's photography, scheduled for December, in an art gallery in San Juan del Sur, on the north coast.....an excellent turn out to the meet.
all images in the "child of hope" series taken for Empowerment International
When I go with Kathy into the barrio, Villa Esperanza, it feels rather like being the pied piper. Children appear from all directions. They love having their photograph taken & are thrilled to view it on the review screen. Many are quiet, even shy, but others are intent on entertaining us with cartwheels, handstands, swinging from trees, dancing. They are sweet natured gentle souls, every last one of them, with beautiful smiles. Poverty of spirit is not in evidence among them. Delight & joy in life is.
Dani, in repose, has the heart-shaped face of a madonna. She lives in
the poverty stricken isolated rural community of Santa Ana, about an
hour outside Granada, accessible only by 4-wheel drive. There is no
public transportation. Most of the adults of Santa Ana are illiterate and
work in the fields or at other menial labour. There is a primary school
in Santa Ana and, with the mentoring support of the non-profit organ-
ization Empowerment International, education allows the children hope
for a brighter future, opportunity to break the relentless cycle of poverty.
and sincere thanks to Ken Lewis for the compassion of his poetic words
such a sad beauty
her innocence
masked in melancholy
carrying the burden of poverty
within the eyes of Mary
and where are the angels
to rend this portrait
barren of hope and light?
and who will lift her eyes
from the depths
of her silent sighs?
who, if not you...
if not me...
if not our society?
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all images in the "child of hope" series taken for Empowerment International
(repost)
11 year old Rosa in the interior yard of her home in villa esperanza,
a barrio of Granada, Nicaragua, where the average family income is
less than $2 a day. Rosa is in Empowerment International's education
programme, attends school every day & is doing well. As the eldest
girl in the family, she looks after her siblings before & after school.
all images in the "child of hope" series taken for Empowerment International