(Thanks, Brian!)
Friday, March 19, 2010
winter paralympics: amazing athletes, amazing pictures
Over 500 athletes from 44 countries around the world have once again descended on Vancouver Canada, for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Paralympic Games, (officially known as the X Paralympic Winter Games). After a separate torch relay and opening ceremony, competitors faced off in five different sports: Sledge hockey, Wheelchair curling, Alpine skiing, Biathlon, and Cross-country skiing - the last three broken into classes of sitting, standing and visually impaired. Currently Russia is leading the medals race, with Canada and Ukraine tied for second place. The Winter Paralympics continue until the Closing Ceremony on Sunday March 21st. - From the Boston Globe
(Thanks, Brian!)
(Thanks, Brian!)
Thursday, March 18, 2010
on a lighter note: you are a bus
Subaru is the name of a star cluster in the Taurus constellation, which is called “Pleiades” in the West. Six of its stars are visible to the naked eye. Credit for naming the car company goes to Kenja Kita, the first president of Fuji Heavy Industries. As Fuji Heavy Industries had just taken over five of twelve companies resulting from the breakup of the old Nakajima Aircraft Company, Kita saw this unique name as the ideal symbol to express the unification of these five Fuji companies - "Subaru”.
Sure, we all knew that... right?
But while spring break road tripping behind my son Max’s “The Ru” his good friend Arjun figured out the true, veiled meaning of the name by simply reading it backwards.
Max quickly got out the tools necessary for rearranging the letters and
VOILA!
Um, I mean... URABUS!
Sure, we all knew that... right?
But while spring break road tripping behind my son Max’s “The Ru” his good friend Arjun figured out the true, veiled meaning of the name by simply reading it backwards.
Max quickly got out the tools necessary for rearranging the letters and
VOILA!
Um, I mean... URABUS!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
photographers and haiti
The following post, written by The New York Times’s international picture editor, Patrick Witty, raises interesting and important questions.
“Photographers from across the globe descended on Haiti after the earthquake. As the death toll grew, more photographers arrived — some with a deep history of working in Haiti or in conflict zones, some with neither. Some photographers were sent on assignment, supported by the budgets of large news organizations. Some went on their own dime.
At one point there were almost certainly too many photographers in Haiti. But which point?
This question is scarcely new. It attends every war, every conflict; each famine, disaster and political upheaval.
‘I think it goes without saying that I believe it important that photographers are there to document the event,’ said Uriel Sinai, a photographer for Getty Images, who was there.
Few would disagree. But the scope of coverage in Haiti seems to exist on a different scale. Ron Haviv of the VII agency said that in times of crisis, Haiti is a ‘haven for photographers.’
‘Amazing story, people and images are there,’ said Mr. Haviv, who has been traveling to Haiti for 20 years and made pictures there after the earthquake. ‘Being so accessible and inexpensive has always led to an abundance — and sometimes overabundance — of photographers during the various coups, insurrections and natural disasters. Quite often during these times, it was normal for three to six photographers, plus the occasional TV crew, to be all working the same scene.’
Mr. Sinai acknowledged that ‘it feels awkward when you get to a scene of violence, tragedy, or chaos, et cetera, and there are more photographers around a subject than there are even people at the scene.’
‘When you are there in the moment, and there are photographers crawling all over the place, it simply feels weird,’ he said.
It’s worth noting that in troubled areas around the world — not just Haiti — numerous photographers often are in the same place at the same time, frequently traveling there together.
‘First and foremost, it’s an issue of safety,’ said David Gilkey, a photographer for NPR. But he does not see this as an impediment to good coverage. ‘Even though you are traveling with another photographer, you are almost never duplicating each other’s work,’ Mr. Gilkey said. ‘While two people may be looking at the same thing, they’re seeing it in different ways.’
More than a dozen photographers covered the landing of U.S. troops at the ruined National Palace on Jan. 19. The scene recalled a photograph by Alex Webb of American soldiers landing on the beach in Haiti in 1994, facing what looked like a battery of news photographers. This year, many photographers were drawn to a statue, untouched by the earthquake, standing solemnly amid the destruction.
There is no question a tragedy of this magnitude demands a thousand eyes or even more. But do they all have to be staring at the same thing? When does redundant become intrusive?
Some photographers drew the line at themselves. Despite having worked in Haiti many times, for instance, Christopher Anderson of Magnum decided to avoid the earthquake and its immediate aftermath. ‘I have never felt comfortable covering natural disasters,’ he said.
‘Wars and other types of human-made tragedies are different. There are questions of right and wrong, justice and injustice, political complications, et cetera. I feel like my voice as an observer has a purpose.
‘But with an earthquake or tsunami, I don’t have a purpose. There is no need for explanation or contemplation. There is only the immediate need for the news photographers to go and report what has happened.
‘I am not a news photographer. I would just be composing pictures of misery. Not to mention being another mouth to feed and another camera in the face of someone who has just lost everything. In the days and weeks immediately after something like this, all that matters is that the news pictures help drive a response of aid. I didn’t feel like there was anything I could add to that. They didn’t need me getting in the way.’
Paradoxically, the question could soon become: are there enough photographers covering Haiti?
As celebrity television journalists begin to leave and the spotlight on Haiti dims, photography, in many ways, becomes even more crucial. Lynsey Addario, who arrived in Haiti last month on assignment for The New York Times, said she felt conflict about not going just after the earthquake struck. But she realized that important stories will need to be told as the recovery continues.
‘While the first phase of the Haiti story is coming to an end, there is a whole new stage of people moving on with their lives, and trying to rebuild what they can in a totally shattered psychological and physical infrastructure,’ Ms. Addario said. ‘I sometimes feel I can be a more effective photographer, and do more in-depth coverage, if I do spend more time on stories without the pack, and choose subjects that I feel are lacking coverage.’
‘There will be many quiet, important features to do.’”
“Photographers from across the globe descended on Haiti after the earthquake. As the death toll grew, more photographers arrived — some with a deep history of working in Haiti or in conflict zones, some with neither. Some photographers were sent on assignment, supported by the budgets of large news organizations. Some went on their own dime.
At one point there were almost certainly too many photographers in Haiti. But which point?
This question is scarcely new. It attends every war, every conflict; each famine, disaster and political upheaval.
‘I think it goes without saying that I believe it important that photographers are there to document the event,’ said Uriel Sinai, a photographer for Getty Images, who was there.
Few would disagree. But the scope of coverage in Haiti seems to exist on a different scale. Ron Haviv of the VII agency said that in times of crisis, Haiti is a ‘haven for photographers.’
‘Amazing story, people and images are there,’ said Mr. Haviv, who has been traveling to Haiti for 20 years and made pictures there after the earthquake. ‘Being so accessible and inexpensive has always led to an abundance — and sometimes overabundance — of photographers during the various coups, insurrections and natural disasters. Quite often during these times, it was normal for three to six photographers, plus the occasional TV crew, to be all working the same scene.’
Mr. Sinai acknowledged that ‘it feels awkward when you get to a scene of violence, tragedy, or chaos, et cetera, and there are more photographers around a subject than there are even people at the scene.’
‘When you are there in the moment, and there are photographers crawling all over the place, it simply feels weird,’ he said.
It’s worth noting that in troubled areas around the world — not just Haiti — numerous photographers often are in the same place at the same time, frequently traveling there together.
‘First and foremost, it’s an issue of safety,’ said David Gilkey, a photographer for NPR. But he does not see this as an impediment to good coverage. ‘Even though you are traveling with another photographer, you are almost never duplicating each other’s work,’ Mr. Gilkey said. ‘While two people may be looking at the same thing, they’re seeing it in different ways.’
More than a dozen photographers covered the landing of U.S. troops at the ruined National Palace on Jan. 19. The scene recalled a photograph by Alex Webb of American soldiers landing on the beach in Haiti in 1994, facing what looked like a battery of news photographers. This year, many photographers were drawn to a statue, untouched by the earthquake, standing solemnly amid the destruction.
There is no question a tragedy of this magnitude demands a thousand eyes or even more. But do they all have to be staring at the same thing? When does redundant become intrusive?
Some photographers drew the line at themselves. Despite having worked in Haiti many times, for instance, Christopher Anderson of Magnum decided to avoid the earthquake and its immediate aftermath. ‘I have never felt comfortable covering natural disasters,’ he said.
‘Wars and other types of human-made tragedies are different. There are questions of right and wrong, justice and injustice, political complications, et cetera. I feel like my voice as an observer has a purpose.
‘But with an earthquake or tsunami, I don’t have a purpose. There is no need for explanation or contemplation. There is only the immediate need for the news photographers to go and report what has happened.
‘I am not a news photographer. I would just be composing pictures of misery. Not to mention being another mouth to feed and another camera in the face of someone who has just lost everything. In the days and weeks immediately after something like this, all that matters is that the news pictures help drive a response of aid. I didn’t feel like there was anything I could add to that. They didn’t need me getting in the way.’
Paradoxically, the question could soon become: are there enough photographers covering Haiti?
As celebrity television journalists begin to leave and the spotlight on Haiti dims, photography, in many ways, becomes even more crucial. Lynsey Addario, who arrived in Haiti last month on assignment for The New York Times, said she felt conflict about not going just after the earthquake struck. But she realized that important stories will need to be told as the recovery continues.
‘While the first phase of the Haiti story is coming to an end, there is a whole new stage of people moving on with their lives, and trying to rebuild what they can in a totally shattered psychological and physical infrastructure,’ Ms. Addario said. ‘I sometimes feel I can be a more effective photographer, and do more in-depth coverage, if I do spend more time on stories without the pack, and choose subjects that I feel are lacking coverage.’
‘There will be many quiet, important features to do.’”
Monday, March 15, 2010
when and what to shoot: meyerowitz
Good stuff from a Joel Meyerowitz interview I recently stumbled upon...
"I'm often asked how I know when and what to shoot. You feel it out. It's like walking on ice. You have to feel your way and use your intuition.
For me, I know when I'm there.
Simple human terms are the motivation and the response. It's like conversation. When you go to a party and you talk to somebody, you may at first stand at a social distance, or, if there's some opening from that person, and you feel connected, you may get slightly closer and speak in a more intimate way. Or if you dance with someone, you may dance close or you may dance at a social distance. You feel it out. That's what it's like when I'm photographing, I move in and out as I get called into what's happening and I try and find the right relationship to it, of course this is all happening in an instantaneous way. After all the camera has a thousandth of a second on it which means we can react and relate in those minute fragments of time. One learns to live in those here and now and then vanished moments.
It's all about seeing the things only YOU can see. After all you see everything every day, and most of it seems boring, right? But then, every once in a while you see something and it makes you have a little 'gasp', isn't that so? Just a little intake of your breath when you are startled by that small thing, or that brief moment when something in the world says, 'look at me, pay attention to ME!' Well, that's it! That's when you take the picture and when you have done that for a while you will have lots of pictures that will look only like pictures that you can see, and not like anyone else's pictures. And that's the secret. there are no rules to follow, there is only your 'instinct'.
Wherever I go, the camera is on my shoulder, and it's been like that for more than forty years. I am just there trying to be present and conscious. And at some given moment I sense that I've walked into a zone of energy that awakens me. I suddenly lose my forward momentum. There's no reason to go forward. It's not something I eyeball. It's not a bunch of red flowers, or an obvious object, it's some thing that's giving off energy. It's a force field that I enter and in it there are relationships that come together in a way that strikes me as meaningful.
Sometimes, for example, when you walk on the streets of New York, and you walk under construction scaffolding, you step out of the daylight and into the shadow, and as you pass that place where the door leads into the site you smell the presence of wet concrete, of acetylene torches, and the dust of construction. It's a very palpable, powerful smell. You step under the scaffolding and there's nothing; you hit the door and there's a smell of everything; and then you take one more step and there's nothing again. You've left the zone. All that's happened is that a current of air has rushed across the path that you're on. Photography is like that; a sliver of sensation that becomes visible in some way and then is gone, but when you were in it, it was total.
I don't mean to be mystical, but when I hit that space I say, 'Whoa, something is here. What's here?' The first thing that's there is me. I take the opportunity to see what it is that's defining me. And every time I do that I make a picture that has some special meaning to me. When I look at them afterwords, I know I was in the right place and the right time. I use that beat to allow it to come into being, to stop myself from pushing through it. Because the easiest thing is to be blind, and to keep right on rolling until you get to someplace that's a familiar, observable reality. But this is not only about an observable reality; it's a sensory reality. I trust that now, more than any other form of approach.
My central premise as an artist is to connect to my own feelings, and by so doing, when I'm really close to them, I may be able to make something that transports people back to the experience through the openness of the photograph. That's what I do, I try and disappear, and let the image do the work of transmitting the experience. I've come to understand this over 40+ years of shooting, that the heart of my work is conveying what I felt while I was briefly awakened by the moment. These 'glimpses' of reality are powerful calls to consciousness."
-- Joel Meyerowitz
(Thanks, Hub)
"I'm often asked how I know when and what to shoot. You feel it out. It's like walking on ice. You have to feel your way and use your intuition.
For me, I know when I'm there.
Simple human terms are the motivation and the response. It's like conversation. When you go to a party and you talk to somebody, you may at first stand at a social distance, or, if there's some opening from that person, and you feel connected, you may get slightly closer and speak in a more intimate way. Or if you dance with someone, you may dance close or you may dance at a social distance. You feel it out. That's what it's like when I'm photographing, I move in and out as I get called into what's happening and I try and find the right relationship to it, of course this is all happening in an instantaneous way. After all the camera has a thousandth of a second on it which means we can react and relate in those minute fragments of time. One learns to live in those here and now and then vanished moments.
It's all about seeing the things only YOU can see. After all you see everything every day, and most of it seems boring, right? But then, every once in a while you see something and it makes you have a little 'gasp', isn't that so? Just a little intake of your breath when you are startled by that small thing, or that brief moment when something in the world says, 'look at me, pay attention to ME!' Well, that's it! That's when you take the picture and when you have done that for a while you will have lots of pictures that will look only like pictures that you can see, and not like anyone else's pictures. And that's the secret. there are no rules to follow, there is only your 'instinct'.
Wherever I go, the camera is on my shoulder, and it's been like that for more than forty years. I am just there trying to be present and conscious. And at some given moment I sense that I've walked into a zone of energy that awakens me. I suddenly lose my forward momentum. There's no reason to go forward. It's not something I eyeball. It's not a bunch of red flowers, or an obvious object, it's some thing that's giving off energy. It's a force field that I enter and in it there are relationships that come together in a way that strikes me as meaningful.
Sometimes, for example, when you walk on the streets of New York, and you walk under construction scaffolding, you step out of the daylight and into the shadow, and as you pass that place where the door leads into the site you smell the presence of wet concrete, of acetylene torches, and the dust of construction. It's a very palpable, powerful smell. You step under the scaffolding and there's nothing; you hit the door and there's a smell of everything; and then you take one more step and there's nothing again. You've left the zone. All that's happened is that a current of air has rushed across the path that you're on. Photography is like that; a sliver of sensation that becomes visible in some way and then is gone, but when you were in it, it was total.
I don't mean to be mystical, but when I hit that space I say, 'Whoa, something is here. What's here?' The first thing that's there is me. I take the opportunity to see what it is that's defining me. And every time I do that I make a picture that has some special meaning to me. When I look at them afterwords, I know I was in the right place and the right time. I use that beat to allow it to come into being, to stop myself from pushing through it. Because the easiest thing is to be blind, and to keep right on rolling until you get to someplace that's a familiar, observable reality. But this is not only about an observable reality; it's a sensory reality. I trust that now, more than any other form of approach.
My central premise as an artist is to connect to my own feelings, and by so doing, when I'm really close to them, I may be able to make something that transports people back to the experience through the openness of the photograph. That's what I do, I try and disappear, and let the image do the work of transmitting the experience. I've come to understand this over 40+ years of shooting, that the heart of my work is conveying what I felt while I was briefly awakened by the moment. These 'glimpses' of reality are powerful calls to consciousness."
-- Joel Meyerowitz
(Thanks, Hub)
Friday, March 12, 2010
photospiva
Like most every other emerging and mid-career artist, I enter competitions; one of my favorites is PhotoSpiva, one that is right in my own backyard in Joplin, MIssouri. From the website:
“PhotoSpiva is a national competition hosted annually by Spiva Center for the Arts. Founded in 1977, PhotoSpiva has become the longest-running photographic competition of its kind in the U.S. As stated by the founders, the objective of PhotoSpiva is to ‘present an exhibition of excellence in photography, celebrating the scope and vigorous activity of today’s contemporary photographers.’
Co-Founder Jim Mueller stated, ‘We have intentionally avoided any categorization of either photographers or their work in setting forth the criteria for this competitive.’ PhotoSpiva welcomes any photographic process as long as it is original artwork and has not been previously exhibited at Spiva Center for the Arts. This philosophy has created an unbiased forum for exhibiting and educating photographers."
I was actually the juror in 1987, back in the day when I wore my gallery owner hat. Other jurors over the years have included Mary Virginia Swanson, Jack Welpott, Sally Gall, Elizabeth Opalenik, Robert and Shana ParkeHarrison and Keith Carter. I have entered the competition a few times during the last decade and have always been pleased to figure into the show. This year, two of my new Uganda pictures landed the 2nd place prize. Tom Chambers took the first prize, deservedly so! (This is one competition that does give fairly generous cash prizes.)
I didn’t make it to the opening reception, but I did swipe this picture from PhotoSpiva’s Facebook page. In it you can see my two images that were accepted.
The judges always seem to enjoy working on this show. The juror this year was Deborah Klochko, Director of the Museum of Photographic Arts in San Diego, California.
Here’s what Keith Carter had to say about the exhibit when he juried it in 2006:
“At the end of the day when all is said and done, I tell you unashamedly that I love exhibitions such as this. It shows the magnificent democratic tradition of image making is alive and well!”
“PhotoSpiva is a national competition hosted annually by Spiva Center for the Arts. Founded in 1977, PhotoSpiva has become the longest-running photographic competition of its kind in the U.S. As stated by the founders, the objective of PhotoSpiva is to ‘present an exhibition of excellence in photography, celebrating the scope and vigorous activity of today’s contemporary photographers.’
Co-Founder Jim Mueller stated, ‘We have intentionally avoided any categorization of either photographers or their work in setting forth the criteria for this competitive.’ PhotoSpiva welcomes any photographic process as long as it is original artwork and has not been previously exhibited at Spiva Center for the Arts. This philosophy has created an unbiased forum for exhibiting and educating photographers."
I was actually the juror in 1987, back in the day when I wore my gallery owner hat. Other jurors over the years have included Mary Virginia Swanson, Jack Welpott, Sally Gall, Elizabeth Opalenik, Robert and Shana ParkeHarrison and Keith Carter. I have entered the competition a few times during the last decade and have always been pleased to figure into the show. This year, two of my new Uganda pictures landed the 2nd place prize. Tom Chambers took the first prize, deservedly so! (This is one competition that does give fairly generous cash prizes.)
I didn’t make it to the opening reception, but I did swipe this picture from PhotoSpiva’s Facebook page. In it you can see my two images that were accepted.
The judges always seem to enjoy working on this show. The juror this year was Deborah Klochko, Director of the Museum of Photographic Arts in San Diego, California.
Here’s what Keith Carter had to say about the exhibit when he juried it in 2006:
“At the end of the day when all is said and done, I tell you unashamedly that I love exhibitions such as this. It shows the magnificent democratic tradition of image making is alive and well!”
Thursday, March 11, 2010
more stills for the video
Continuing to show work I’ve made for the Operation Breakthrough fundraising video...
These photographs feature a family of four. The parents struggle because of low education, lost jobs and continued unemployment. They and their two children have been homeless, have lived in shelters, have had countless meals at soup kitchens and are challenged daily because they have no car and little money. The help they’ve received from OB has lifted them up, but nothing much good (except a HUGE amount of family love and a tender sense of togetherness) has come their way.
These photographs feature a family of four. The parents struggle because of low education, lost jobs and continued unemployment. They and their two children have been homeless, have lived in shelters, have had countless meals at soup kitchens and are challenged daily because they have no car and little money. The help they’ve received from OB has lifted them up, but nothing much good (except a HUGE amount of family love and a tender sense of togetherness) has come their way.
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
details
These days I continue working on the video presentation that will debut next month at the annual fundraiser for Operation Breakthrough. One of the children we're featuring lives in an apartment with her learning and physically challenged mom.
Sunday, March 07, 2010
ctt annual event
Today was the first meeting of the 2010 CTT Friendraiser/Fundraiser planning committee. Lots of great ideas were tossed around. This is an energetic and creative group of people; it will be exciting to see what develops! Stay tuned for more details.
photo by Linda (back row left to right) Paula, Eddie, Gloria, Mary, David, Michael (front row, left to right) Susie, Paulette, Lynne, Melissa (not pictured) Wynne, Richelle, Ann, Sandy, Linda
photo by Linda (back row left to right) Paula, Eddie, Gloria, Mary, David, Michael (front row, left to right) Susie, Paulette, Lynne, Melissa (not pictured) Wynne, Richelle, Ann, Sandy, Linda
Friday, March 05, 2010
exciting news!
When asked to describe myself, I say I’m a photographer, the director of a not-for-profit and a mom.
Come August, I get to add a new line to my resume.
GRANDMOTHER!!!
Here’s son-in-law Sam being, um, Sam.
Come August, I get to add a new line to my resume.
GRANDMOTHER!!!
Here’s son-in-law Sam being, um, Sam.
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
one of the best letters ever
this email landed in my in-box yesterday. with kaley's permission, i am sharing it here. if you've ever thought about going on a volunteer vacation or considered sending your teenager on one, read this and you might decide to just do it. thank you, kaley! you made my day.
"with each day, i realize more and more the impact that africa has had on my relationships and my own life. when i first got back, it was hard to balance the life i have in america and the life i had in uganda. the bonds i made in africa are unlike any that i’ve ever had, and its been confusing trying to find that at home. things in uganda came naturally, and everything was real. i think it’s just been very strange to see the differences in how friendships are made here and just how people interact in general. i guess it has a lot to do with the fact that i’m still in high school, but i’ve been trying really hard to not get caught up in it. as i go into the third month away from uganda, i’m starting now to realize the niche that the experience has in my life.
it has been about accepting new people and loving them for their differences.
i don’t know exactly how to describe the extent to which my life has changed because the new me adapts to every situation and grows from it in different ways. there isn’t simply one part of me that i could point out that has been an obvious change. my development has been subtle, yet sincerely noticeable. it’s kind of contradictory, but, like i said, i don’t know how else to describe it.
i guess you could say i’ve matured, and in the end i owe it all to you. i thank you sincerely from the bottom of my heart for everything that you’ve done for me. you saw something in me six months or so ago that i didn’t see in myself. it was something that convinced you i was a worthy contender to go on this trip. you set it all in motion and for that you helped me grow up in a big way. you opened my eyes and my heart to an entirely new world. so i will forever hold a big place in my heart for not only you, mama gloria, but for st. mary kevin as well.
i hope that in a few years that i might be able to go on another trip, if my application is accepted, of course. but for now, good luck with everything and let me know if you ever need anything." - kaley
"with each day, i realize more and more the impact that africa has had on my relationships and my own life. when i first got back, it was hard to balance the life i have in america and the life i had in uganda. the bonds i made in africa are unlike any that i’ve ever had, and its been confusing trying to find that at home. things in uganda came naturally, and everything was real. i think it’s just been very strange to see the differences in how friendships are made here and just how people interact in general. i guess it has a lot to do with the fact that i’m still in high school, but i’ve been trying really hard to not get caught up in it. as i go into the third month away from uganda, i’m starting now to realize the niche that the experience has in my life.
it has been about accepting new people and loving them for their differences.
i don’t know exactly how to describe the extent to which my life has changed because the new me adapts to every situation and grows from it in different ways. there isn’t simply one part of me that i could point out that has been an obvious change. my development has been subtle, yet sincerely noticeable. it’s kind of contradictory, but, like i said, i don’t know how else to describe it.
i guess you could say i’ve matured, and in the end i owe it all to you. i thank you sincerely from the bottom of my heart for everything that you’ve done for me. you saw something in me six months or so ago that i didn’t see in myself. it was something that convinced you i was a worthy contender to go on this trip. you set it all in motion and for that you helped me grow up in a big way. you opened my eyes and my heart to an entirely new world. so i will forever hold a big place in my heart for not only you, mama gloria, but for st. mary kevin as well.
i hope that in a few years that i might be able to go on another trip, if my application is accepted, of course. but for now, good luck with everything and let me know if you ever need anything." - kaley
Monday, March 01, 2010
the good people fund
Change the Truth was lucky to receive a grant from the "Good People Fund" this past November. The money was earmarked for the purchase of a brand new laptop, some software, several thumb drives and a printer for the computer lab at St. Mary Kevin Orphanage. An article was just published in the Good People Fund diary about the grant. It's really nice - take a look!
I have posted their mission statement before, but in case you didn't see it, here it is again:
"Many people work quietly and diligently, often below the radar screen and with shoe-string budgets, to better our world in untold numbers of ways. It is to these people, small entities or individuals whose efforts don’t benefit from glossy brochures or promotions, or help from adequate staff or large organizational structures, that we direct our attention. Their success is our mission — by making them and their work visible and viable to others who will provide needed funding through tzedakah that is given in a cost-effective and meaningful way. One might call those that do this work social entrepreneurs or tzadikim (the righteous ones). We choose to call them simply good people.
Founded by a diverse group inspired by the work of Danny Siegel, founder of the Ziv Tzedakah Fund, including and led by Naomi Eisenberger, Ziv's former Managing Director, The Good People Fund is about both the good people who work selflessly on behalf of others, and also the good people who contribute time, money and energy to help that work become a reality."
Saturday, February 27, 2010
levitt video
My friend Laura turned me onto this video about Helen Levitt.
If you've followed my blog for a while, you know that Levitt's work has always had a huge impact on my own. A few months before her death, I had the good fortune to spend some time with her in her Manhattan walk-up. Click on the Helen Levitt link in the archives to read posts about that visit.
I received this postcard from her afterwards, and I treasure it.
If you've followed my blog for a while, you know that Levitt's work has always had a huge impact on my own. A few months before her death, I had the good fortune to spend some time with her in her Manhattan walk-up. Click on the Helen Levitt link in the archives to read posts about that visit.
I received this postcard from her afterwards, and I treasure it.
Friday, February 26, 2010
the birth of a band
As I was preparing for the Change the Truth team trip to the orphanage in 2008, I asked the director to send me a "wish list" of things they'd like for us to provide the children. Being the mother of a USC Spirit of Troy drummer, I was quickly drawn to line seven of the list: instruments for a marching band.
With the help of a generous donor, funds were put in place for the first ever St. Mary Kevin Orphanage Marching Band. Before the arrival of Team 2 in December 2008, details were worked out regarding which instruments, how many instruments, etc. Once there, several of us spent a day in Kampala going from music store to music store looking for the best deals on trumpets and trombones. Our long day ended with the eagerly awaited unloading of the van; everyone went nuts as we pulled out a snare drum, then a set of cymbals, then a bass drum and so on. St. Mary Kevin erupted in joy that afternoon as the children were finally able to envision a band of their own.
Fast forward. When Team 3 arrived a year later, we were welcomed by a rousing rendition of "When the Saints Go Marching In" played by none other than the youthful, hopeful and energetic members of the St. Mary Kevin Orphanage Band. There was Tony on trombone, Nahia on side drum, Oscar and his brothers Willy and Brian on trumpet, Lillian on snare drum, Eddie on bass drum and Claire on cymbals (just to name a few of the twenty or so members of the group.) They blew us away with how good they had become in such a short period of time. We learned that they had actually been hired several times to play at celebrations and parades. They even have a business card.
When I conveyed the joyful news about the band with the donor who had helped make it all happen, there was great satisfaction all around. When I showed her pictures of the tuba and trombone toting kids, however, she decided it wasn't a done deal until there were uniforms involved.
So now there are. She and a couple of her friends made that happen.
While there this past December, we helped select the material and patterns for the first ever uniforms for the first ever marching band at St. Mary Kevin. We now have photos of the kids wearing the finished products, thanks to Carol, who recently paid a visit to the orphanage.
Carol with Claire (who wears this special uniform as "leader of the band")
In Uganda, people use the word "smart" instead of stylin'.
You can bet these young musicians are feeling very smart indeed.
With the help of a generous donor, funds were put in place for the first ever St. Mary Kevin Orphanage Marching Band. Before the arrival of Team 2 in December 2008, details were worked out regarding which instruments, how many instruments, etc. Once there, several of us spent a day in Kampala going from music store to music store looking for the best deals on trumpets and trombones. Our long day ended with the eagerly awaited unloading of the van; everyone went nuts as we pulled out a snare drum, then a set of cymbals, then a bass drum and so on. St. Mary Kevin erupted in joy that afternoon as the children were finally able to envision a band of their own.
Fast forward. When Team 3 arrived a year later, we were welcomed by a rousing rendition of "When the Saints Go Marching In" played by none other than the youthful, hopeful and energetic members of the St. Mary Kevin Orphanage Band. There was Tony on trombone, Nahia on side drum, Oscar and his brothers Willy and Brian on trumpet, Lillian on snare drum, Eddie on bass drum and Claire on cymbals (just to name a few of the twenty or so members of the group.) They blew us away with how good they had become in such a short period of time. We learned that they had actually been hired several times to play at celebrations and parades. They even have a business card.
When I conveyed the joyful news about the band with the donor who had helped make it all happen, there was great satisfaction all around. When I showed her pictures of the tuba and trombone toting kids, however, she decided it wasn't a done deal until there were uniforms involved.
So now there are. She and a couple of her friends made that happen.
While there this past December, we helped select the material and patterns for the first ever uniforms for the first ever marching band at St. Mary Kevin. We now have photos of the kids wearing the finished products, thanks to Carol, who recently paid a visit to the orphanage.
Carol with Claire (who wears this special uniform as "leader of the band")
In Uganda, people use the word "smart" instead of stylin'.
You can bet these young musicians are feeling very smart indeed.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
joannie rochette
Many of you know that I am a huge sports fan. Here is one of the reasons why: plain, simple and mind boggling heroism. I'm talking about real heroism, the kind you are only privileged to catch glimpses of here and there in sports (or in life) but that brings you to your knees when you are fortunate enough to witness it. There have been some amazing personal stories in this year's Winter Olympics. Perhaps you already know about Joannie Rochette; even if you do this is a wonderful article to read (and cry through.) Her performance last night was nothing short of magical, inspirational and, yes - heroic.
"In the middle of last football season, Bengals coach Mike Zimmer suffered a horrific blow: His wife Vikki died suddenly at home.
That was on a Thursday. Zimmer coached that weekend, nonetheless.
Seven years ago, quarterback Brett Farve suffered the same blow: His father died on a Sunday. The next night, on Monday Night Football, Favre famously stood up to his grief to create one of the most memorable moments in his storied career. He led the Green Bay Packers to victory in what was called in some circles a transcendent performance.
Those weren't the first times we've witnessed those in athletics soldier on in the face of a most personal tragedy and loss. They won't, of course, be the last.
But what we witnessed a young Canadian figure skater named Joannie Rochette do late Tuesday night in a packed arena at the Vancouver Games was gut-wrenching on another level.
Here was a woman who on Sunday learned that her mother Therese died quite suddenly and extremely unexpectedly. She was just 55. But young Joannie hit the Olympic ice at the Pacific Coliseum nonetheless and proceeded to skate what turned out to be her best short performance of the season. She then melted into tears upon receiving a standing ovation from the crowd.
It must have felt to her like 50,000 hugs, and probably still not enough.
But Rochette, being a figure skater, most remarkably soldiered on by herself. She didn't have 50 some other teammates to lean on. She didn't have an offensive line and running backs and receivers to support her effort. She didn't even have a doubles partner.
All Rochette had for a few minutes was herself. She faced the music alone.
Her selection of music was utterly appropriate. It was the Uruguayan tango La Cumparsita. The lyrics begin: 'The little parade of endless miseries ...'
Rochette stood alone on the brightest and biggest stage she'd ever been on in her life, and with the weight of losing the foundation of her life pressing on her, she skated like she'd never skated before.
'Words cannot describe it,' Rochette said afterward in quotes relayed through Skate Canada's high performance director Mike Slipchuk. 'It's hard to be precise. I have no regrets. It was a very nice, warm welcome. Hard to handle, but I appreciate the support. I will remember this forever.'
Everyone who witnessed it will remember her performance forever too.
It reminded me of seeing singer and Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson make her first performance since her mother, brother and nephew were murdered in Chicago -- at Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Fla. Hudson suffered her loss in October, just over three months before she dared to hit the stage again. And when she did, she did so by singing the National Anthem to kick off a typical Super Bowl broadcast to upwards of 230 countries and territories and seen by at least 148 million Americans.
I don't know if doing this sort of thing should be called courageous. All I'm certain of is that it is remarkable. For any of us who've lost a relative so dear, we know what it is like just to get up the next morning or go to sleep that night.
Rochette did all of that and then some. She scored a 71.36, which wound up good enough to put her in the top-three skaters going into Thursday's longer skate.
Her mom had been her rock, her inspiration, her reason to skate and skate so well. She was shown on Canadian TV on Sunday being told the horrible news and, quite understandably, melting into tears.
Rochette wasn't originally supposed to be a medal favorite. The 24-year-old from a small town called Ile-Dupas, in Quebec, didn't even intend to be a figure skater. It was only because of her mother's encouragement, and the obvious talent young Joannie demonstrated and her determination to compete, that made her an Olympian for the first time in Turin four years ago. She finished fifth there. She came to the Vancouver Games with greater hopes, if not unrealistic.
Suddenly, after the toughest two days of her life, she is an Olympic medal contender. It is quite likely she'll have the entire world rooting for her, too.
It is enough to make me feel sorry for the judges who must critique her against others. How can any of them possibly dock her singular perseverance under such gut-wrenching circumstances?
Tuesday night at figure skating wasn't about medals, though. It wasn't about nationalism and jingoism and any other 'isms that can sink a world gathering like the Olympics.
Tuesday night was one night where the Olympics were about what they were envisioned to be about, a celebration of our humanity.
Here was a woman who we all knew was trying to stop from crumbling. Here was a woman who for a few minutes was no longer representing her country and its colors but was representing the world and all of us.
Here was a woman who the crowd tried to lift with its cheering as soon as she finished her routine and the tears of anguish began to pour.
These Olympics started with a horrific loss of its own, the Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili who lost his life training on the mountain. The flags went to half-mast. There were allegations of wrongdoing. It was as ugly a start as any Olympics has had. It made for divided games of the world.
But what unfolded Tuesday night in the women's short program was nothing short of unifying, and hopefully, for a young woman of the world, sustaining when she needed it the most."
- by Kevin Blackistone
Before Rochette took the ice, Bob Costas sat down with former speedskater Dan Jansen, who himself has some practice in performing on the world's biggest stage after the loss of a loved one. (Jansen's sister, Jane, died on the day of his 500m race in the Calgary Games.) Jansen said he sent Rochette an email in which he wrote the following:
"I dont know if you can prepare for the emotions you're going to feel out there, but if you can get through it there are millions of people supporting you. And most of all, skate with your mother in your heart."
"In the middle of last football season, Bengals coach Mike Zimmer suffered a horrific blow: His wife Vikki died suddenly at home.
That was on a Thursday. Zimmer coached that weekend, nonetheless.
Seven years ago, quarterback Brett Farve suffered the same blow: His father died on a Sunday. The next night, on Monday Night Football, Favre famously stood up to his grief to create one of the most memorable moments in his storied career. He led the Green Bay Packers to victory in what was called in some circles a transcendent performance.
Those weren't the first times we've witnessed those in athletics soldier on in the face of a most personal tragedy and loss. They won't, of course, be the last.
But what we witnessed a young Canadian figure skater named Joannie Rochette do late Tuesday night in a packed arena at the Vancouver Games was gut-wrenching on another level.
Here was a woman who on Sunday learned that her mother Therese died quite suddenly and extremely unexpectedly. She was just 55. But young Joannie hit the Olympic ice at the Pacific Coliseum nonetheless and proceeded to skate what turned out to be her best short performance of the season. She then melted into tears upon receiving a standing ovation from the crowd.
It must have felt to her like 50,000 hugs, and probably still not enough.
But Rochette, being a figure skater, most remarkably soldiered on by herself. She didn't have 50 some other teammates to lean on. She didn't have an offensive line and running backs and receivers to support her effort. She didn't even have a doubles partner.
All Rochette had for a few minutes was herself. She faced the music alone.
Her selection of music was utterly appropriate. It was the Uruguayan tango La Cumparsita. The lyrics begin: 'The little parade of endless miseries ...'
Rochette stood alone on the brightest and biggest stage she'd ever been on in her life, and with the weight of losing the foundation of her life pressing on her, she skated like she'd never skated before.
'Words cannot describe it,' Rochette said afterward in quotes relayed through Skate Canada's high performance director Mike Slipchuk. 'It's hard to be precise. I have no regrets. It was a very nice, warm welcome. Hard to handle, but I appreciate the support. I will remember this forever.'
Everyone who witnessed it will remember her performance forever too.
It reminded me of seeing singer and Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson make her first performance since her mother, brother and nephew were murdered in Chicago -- at Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Fla. Hudson suffered her loss in October, just over three months before she dared to hit the stage again. And when she did, she did so by singing the National Anthem to kick off a typical Super Bowl broadcast to upwards of 230 countries and territories and seen by at least 148 million Americans.
I don't know if doing this sort of thing should be called courageous. All I'm certain of is that it is remarkable. For any of us who've lost a relative so dear, we know what it is like just to get up the next morning or go to sleep that night.
Rochette did all of that and then some. She scored a 71.36, which wound up good enough to put her in the top-three skaters going into Thursday's longer skate.
Her mom had been her rock, her inspiration, her reason to skate and skate so well. She was shown on Canadian TV on Sunday being told the horrible news and, quite understandably, melting into tears.
Rochette wasn't originally supposed to be a medal favorite. The 24-year-old from a small town called Ile-Dupas, in Quebec, didn't even intend to be a figure skater. It was only because of her mother's encouragement, and the obvious talent young Joannie demonstrated and her determination to compete, that made her an Olympian for the first time in Turin four years ago. She finished fifth there. She came to the Vancouver Games with greater hopes, if not unrealistic.
Suddenly, after the toughest two days of her life, she is an Olympic medal contender. It is quite likely she'll have the entire world rooting for her, too.
It is enough to make me feel sorry for the judges who must critique her against others. How can any of them possibly dock her singular perseverance under such gut-wrenching circumstances?
Tuesday night at figure skating wasn't about medals, though. It wasn't about nationalism and jingoism and any other 'isms that can sink a world gathering like the Olympics.
Tuesday night was one night where the Olympics were about what they were envisioned to be about, a celebration of our humanity.
Here was a woman who we all knew was trying to stop from crumbling. Here was a woman who for a few minutes was no longer representing her country and its colors but was representing the world and all of us.
Here was a woman who the crowd tried to lift with its cheering as soon as she finished her routine and the tears of anguish began to pour.
These Olympics started with a horrific loss of its own, the Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili who lost his life training on the mountain. The flags went to half-mast. There were allegations of wrongdoing. It was as ugly a start as any Olympics has had. It made for divided games of the world.
But what unfolded Tuesday night in the women's short program was nothing short of unifying, and hopefully, for a young woman of the world, sustaining when she needed it the most."
- by Kevin Blackistone
Before Rochette took the ice, Bob Costas sat down with former speedskater Dan Jansen, who himself has some practice in performing on the world's biggest stage after the loss of a loved one. (Jansen's sister, Jane, died on the day of his 500m race in the Calgary Games.) Jansen said he sent Rochette an email in which he wrote the following:
"I dont know if you can prepare for the emotions you're going to feel out there, but if you can get through it there are millions of people supporting you. And most of all, skate with your mother in your heart."
Sunday, February 21, 2010
girls
“The Girl Effect: The powerful social and economic change brought about when girls have the opportunity to participate in their society.
WHY GIRLS?
Because when adolescent girls in the developing world have a chance, they can be the most powerful force of change for themselves, their families, communities and nations.
But while those 600 million girls are the most likely agents of change, they are invisible to their societies and the world.”
The Girl Effect is an organization that connects girls whose voices need to be heard with those who are wiling to listen and help. I am posting their video (and the message above) because I think it is pretty amazing stuff. I admire the work this organization is doing.
And I believe their message.
At St. Mary Kevin Orphanage in Kajjansi, Uganda, several girls have been given a chance at education - something they likely would not otherwise have - because of the kindness of friends of Change of Truth. They are:
Abbas
Scovia
Catherine
Sheila
Rachael
Latifah
Amanda
Rosette
Kate
Pauline
Isabella
Samalie
We need to continue to be there for these girls… and for the younger girls coming up. Watch the Girl Effect video and get inspired to help – the girls from St. Mary Kevin or girls from any of the organizations The Girl Effect assists. It just makes so much sense.
WHY GIRLS?
Because when adolescent girls in the developing world have a chance, they can be the most powerful force of change for themselves, their families, communities and nations.
But while those 600 million girls are the most likely agents of change, they are invisible to their societies and the world.”
The Girl Effect is an organization that connects girls whose voices need to be heard with those who are wiling to listen and help. I am posting their video (and the message above) because I think it is pretty amazing stuff. I admire the work this organization is doing.
And I believe their message.
At St. Mary Kevin Orphanage in Kajjansi, Uganda, several girls have been given a chance at education - something they likely would not otherwise have - because of the kindness of friends of Change of Truth. They are:
Abbas
Scovia
Catherine
Sheila
Rachael
Latifah
Amanda
Rosette
Kate
Pauline
Isabella
Samalie
We need to continue to be there for these girls… and for the younger girls coming up. Watch the Girl Effect video and get inspired to help – the girls from St. Mary Kevin or girls from any of the organizations The Girl Effect assists. It just makes so much sense.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
in these arms
The Swell Season is Glen Hansard (from the Irish band The Frames) and Marketa Irglova (classically trained Czech pianist and vocalist.)
You may remember them from the 2007 low-budget indie movie “Once” in which they starred as struggling musicians who strike up a tentative relationship in Dublin. The pair became a couple in real life, and as the film took off, they toured the world to support the movie and its best-selling soundtrack. In 2008 they won an Academy Award for the film’s gorgeous signature song "Falling Slowly."
Hansard and Irglova have split up amicably, but they maintain a heartfelt professional relationship. Last October they released a luscious gem in the album “Strict Joy.” I recently had the great pleasure of seeing them at the Uptown Theatre in Kansas City. It was one of the best concerts I’ve been to in a long time.
The video of one of the songs on album, “In These Arms” just came out. It’s beautiful, as is the song. Enjoy it here.
You may remember them from the 2007 low-budget indie movie “Once” in which they starred as struggling musicians who strike up a tentative relationship in Dublin. The pair became a couple in real life, and as the film took off, they toured the world to support the movie and its best-selling soundtrack. In 2008 they won an Academy Award for the film’s gorgeous signature song "Falling Slowly."
Hansard and Irglova have split up amicably, but they maintain a heartfelt professional relationship. Last October they released a luscious gem in the album “Strict Joy.” I recently had the great pleasure of seeing them at the Uptown Theatre in Kansas City. It was one of the best concerts I’ve been to in a long time.
The video of one of the songs on album, “In These Arms” just came out. It’s beautiful, as is the song. Enjoy it here.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
sublime
Written by Leonard Cohen in 1984, "Hallelujah" is one of my favorite songs of all time. k.d. lang first recorded her version of it in 2004 on the album "Hymns of the 49th Parallel." This video is from her performance at the Canadian Juno Awards of 2005, where her rendition brought the audience to its feet for a two-minute ovation. Lang also sang it at the 2006 Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame on the occasion of Cohen's induction into the Hall of Fame. Of that rendition, Cohen's partner, singer Anjani Thomas, said: "After hearing k.d. lang perform that song at the Canadian Songwriter’s Hall of Fame in 2006 we looked at each other and said: well, I think we can lay that song to rest now! It’s really been done to its ultimate blissful state of perfection." Hopefully you had a chance to hear her sing it at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver a few nights ago.
Monday, February 15, 2010
bronia
I recently paid a visit to my friend Bronia. This led me to reconsider a portrait I made of her in 2003. I always liked it, but the watch she was wearing really dominated the frame. This morning I cropped out that watch, something I would never have done back in the day. Working with images on the computer has definitely loosened me up.
Friday, February 12, 2010
lots o' pictures!
New slideshow and song now on the Change the Truth website!! Check it out and enjoy the beautiful faces of the children we are helping, as well as the members of Teams 1, 2 and 3 who have had the good fortune to get to know (and love) them.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
change the truth update
Sitting here in cold Kansas City and communicating with friends on the east coast who are dealing with mounds and mounds of snow, my thoughts escape to the warm sun and red soil of Uganda.
Carol, board member and member of Teams 1, 2 and 3 is currently making her way back from a visit to the orphanage. Her daily reports have included news of beaming faces, continued meals for the children and smooth adjustments as the next school term begins. One of the highlights of her journey was the opportunity to see the marching band outfitted in their brand spanking new uniforms (thanks to the generosity of some New York donors.) I hope to be able to post her pictures here on the blog soon.
The maize mill motor that was purchased by CTT will be the reason that in-house production of the corn they are now harvesting will resume next month. The by-product (maize bran) is fed to the pigs. Ten of those big pigs will be sold for a profit soon.
Some of the vegetables that we helped plant in December are now being harvested and enjoyed by the children. The mosquito nets are still up and doing their job!
About twenty children still practice yoga on a daily basis. Bobbi, member of Team 3 left the mats behind and also instructed several of the better students how to teach the class themselves. Rosette is one of those who has taken the torch passed by Bobbi and is now leading many of the classes.
On the home front, we will soon begin making arrangements for our annual fundraiser. If you’d like to work on the planning committee, please let me know. We have a great group of people who enthusiastically volunteer for this each year. We’d love for more folks join in on the fun.
Believe it or not, Team 4 is already being assembled. Interest was again very high this year. We should have a full boat by March 1st, when commitments need to be made. If you are still considering this opportunity, there is a chance we may add a trip for a small group this May or June. Again, please contact me.
Though things are going relatively well at SMK, we have been reminded that the price of food in Uganda continues to rise. In order to provide a nutritionally balanced diet for all 150 primary school aged orphans, as well as those secondary school aged kids who board at SMK, we are asking donors to consider making gifts specifically earmarked for food. If you are so moved, you can make your contribution online at www.changethetruth.org.
Make a donation in honor of a friend’s birthday – or better yet, a Valentine’s Day gift for your honey! We’ll notify the recipient so he/she will know of your sweet gift. Just think about how warm that will make you both feel.
Carol, board member and member of Teams 1, 2 and 3 is currently making her way back from a visit to the orphanage. Her daily reports have included news of beaming faces, continued meals for the children and smooth adjustments as the next school term begins. One of the highlights of her journey was the opportunity to see the marching band outfitted in their brand spanking new uniforms (thanks to the generosity of some New York donors.) I hope to be able to post her pictures here on the blog soon.
The maize mill motor that was purchased by CTT will be the reason that in-house production of the corn they are now harvesting will resume next month. The by-product (maize bran) is fed to the pigs. Ten of those big pigs will be sold for a profit soon.
Some of the vegetables that we helped plant in December are now being harvested and enjoyed by the children. The mosquito nets are still up and doing their job!
About twenty children still practice yoga on a daily basis. Bobbi, member of Team 3 left the mats behind and also instructed several of the better students how to teach the class themselves. Rosette is one of those who has taken the torch passed by Bobbi and is now leading many of the classes.
On the home front, we will soon begin making arrangements for our annual fundraiser. If you’d like to work on the planning committee, please let me know. We have a great group of people who enthusiastically volunteer for this each year. We’d love for more folks join in on the fun.
Believe it or not, Team 4 is already being assembled. Interest was again very high this year. We should have a full boat by March 1st, when commitments need to be made. If you are still considering this opportunity, there is a chance we may add a trip for a small group this May or June. Again, please contact me.
Though things are going relatively well at SMK, we have been reminded that the price of food in Uganda continues to rise. In order to provide a nutritionally balanced diet for all 150 primary school aged orphans, as well as those secondary school aged kids who board at SMK, we are asking donors to consider making gifts specifically earmarked for food. If you are so moved, you can make your contribution online at www.changethetruth.org.
Make a donation in honor of a friend’s birthday – or better yet, a Valentine’s Day gift for your honey! We’ll notify the recipient so he/she will know of your sweet gift. Just think about how warm that will make you both feel.
Monday, February 08, 2010
who dat?
Did Drew Brees give us all something to feel genuinely good about Sunday or what? This amazing and joyous picture (courtesy of the AP) pretty much sums it all up. As the camera lingered on Brees holding and kissing his baby son right after the game, commentator Boomer Esiason said what a lot of us were probably thinking: “Don’t you live for that moment right there?”
Good for Drew Brees, good for the Saints, good for New Orleans.
Saturday, February 06, 2010
meet patrick
No, this young man is not one of the students from St. Mary Kevin Orphanage, but his story (and his father's) is truly inspirational. When you have six minutes to spare, watch this! As the mother of a member of a college marching band, it especially warms my heart.
Friday, February 05, 2010
meet sheila
-Age: 14
-Date of Birth: August 23, 1995
-Arrived at SMK: 2007 at the age of 12
-Mother: Juliette Assimwe- died in 2005 of heart disease
-Father: Died of a heart attack in the hospital when 7 years old. (also Billy's father)
-Siblings: Billy Mark (12), Michelle Queen (8), and Elijah Kwagala (3)- all live with aunt
-Family lives in: Mengo
-Tribe: Muganda
My family is very complicated. When I was younger, I lived with my mother. She had always told me that my father had died when I was very young. She said that my father was Billy's [Billy also lives at the orphanage] father’s brother, making Billy’s father my uncle. Growing up, my uncle would always come over to spend time with me and play with me. We had a really good relationship. He died when I was seven years old. Then when I was ten, my mother died from heart disease. Losing my mother was hard for me. I loved my mother. I lived with my mother’s sister (my aunt) for a while after my mother died. We are very close and she is the person I trust most in the world. But after a while it was hard for my aunt to care for all of my siblings and me because we were such a big family. So, I went to live with my cousins (Billy) and their mother. Billy’s mother knew Rosemary, and she arranged for all of us to come live at St. Mary Kevin.
Just recently, my aunt, who I trust very much, told me that Billy’s father was actually my father too, not my uncle. This information was very hurtful because all along I thought that he was my uncle. I think all my relatives knew that he was my father, but they never wanted to tell me, including my mother. Growing up, people always told me that I resembled my uncle, even though I am black and he was Indian. Now it will be very hard to ever know the real truth because my mother is dead. This confusion makes me unhappy.
Had I not come to St. Mary Kevin, my life would have been really different. I now live with my fellow students and they make me happy. We converse with each other and we talk about our stories. I now know that I am not the only one with problems like this. My fellow students and Rosemary make me happy. Rosemary brought me here and takes care of me. She makes me proud. Rosemary treats me like her own daughter and loves me. She is really special to me.
I want to make my brothers proud of me too. I want to work hard so that one day I can provide school fees for them too. I love them very much. One day I hope to help others with heart problems because I wish someone could have helped my mother.
-Talents: Singing, playing piano (learned to play through her church)
-Future goals: doctor (specifically a cardiologist)
-Inspirations: God, making my brothers proud
-Current school: Nakulabye High School (in Kampala)- stays with family during the term – Senior 1
[Shelia is a great student. She ranks at the top of her class.]
Thursday, February 04, 2010
meet henry
-Age: 17
-Date of Birth: June 25, 1992
-Arrived at SMK: in 1999
-Mother: Died of disease when he was young
-Father: Died of disease when he was young
-Siblings: One sister (Age 12), Nakato, she lives near Lugujja with a lady who pays for her schooling.
-Tribe: Muganda
After my parents died, I went to live with my uncle, and my sister went to go live with a nice lady. My uncle brought me to his priest. When I was six, my uncle died. Having nowhere else to go, I had to live on the streets. Life on the streets was very difficult and getting food was a struggle. I would search for food in the garbage. At night, I would sleep on the street. After living on the streets for one year, Rosemary found me and took me in at St. Mary Kevin. I feel good here because I get food, shelter, school fees, and sometimes clothing. I feel at home. They take care of us. I really thank Mama Rosemary and Change the Truth for all that they do for us. Change the Truth has helped us with so much. We have gotten new beds, blankets, and mosquito nets. After the way I have suffered, I feel better when I am here at SMK. When I am here I work hard so that I will have a bright future and to set a good example for the younger kids. I sometimes get to see my sister, but we both work so hard that it is difficult to get together. I have no other living family members. St. Mary Kevin is my home, and the people here are my family.
-Talents: Football and singing
-Future goals: to become an Electro Engineer (I am waiting for my exam results)
-Current school: St. Paul Secondary School- Senior 4
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
the abc's of ctt school sponsorships/ meet rosette
One of the projects undertaken by Team 3 member Sara this past December in Uganda was to interview each of the secondary school students being sponsored by Change the Truth. She did a wonderful job, and I shall post some of those here, starting with Rosette.
What does advanced education look like in Uganda? Those who qualify are promoted from Primary 7 to Senior 1. If they can pay the fees, these students begin four years of Senior O levels followed by two years of Senior A levels. If qualified and financially able, they then enter University.
Change the Truth currently sponsors 26 children from St. Mary Kevin Orphanage. One student, Douglas, is in nursing school. Daniel just graduated Senior 6 and is waiting for his final grades - he'd like to attend University and study accounting. We have 11 kids we're sponsoring at the Senior O level and 7 at the A level. Emanuel Vincent attends a music vocational school.
Five recent grads of P-7 produced impressive final exam scores and have met all the requirements for receiving CTT sponsorship for the Senior levels. They are: Sam, Willy, Nicky, Scovia and Abbas.
The new school term began February 1; these students have been on my mind a lot lately! Providing an education for the children from the orphanage has always been the number one goal for CTT. This provides them the key for productive, successful and fulfilling futures. In the past, it has been possible to sponsor a student for $285 per year. Due to increases in school fees, the cost of food and the fact that the sponsorship now includes the purchase of everything from books to toilet paper, the amount required is $600.00 per year for Senior O and $750 per year for Senior A (one-third due in February, May and September). Please consider making such an annual investment. I can make a match for you, and I will arrange for you to receive letters and grade cards from your student. You will forge a relationship, and that would be rewarding for you AND your student!
Meet Rosette:
-Age: 16
-Date of Birth: September 25, 1993
-Arrived at SMK: 2003
-Mother: Teddy- died of AIDS (in 2006)
-Father: Died in War
-Siblings: I have four brothers (Brian, Moses, Rogers, and Godfrey) and two sisters (Barbra and Brenda) who live in my village.
-Tribe: Lugbara
I lost my mother in 2006. I was at school when I found out that she had died. And my father died in the war when I was much younger. Before coming to St. Mary Kevin, I lived in Kitiko with my grandfather. He is still alive and is my guardian. I came to SMK for music and dancing. I stay here during the holidays and I board at school. I don’t get to see my grandfather that often. I love St. Mary Kevin. It is a place where I can be very happy. I am especially happy when I am with the other orphans. I love Mama Rosemary and the other kids. My family is all of us here at SMK. When I grow up I want to be a lawyer for young children. And I hope to run my own orphanage one day, so I can help kids in need just like Mama Rosemary helped me.
-Talents: Dancing, singing, and netball
-Future goals: a lawyer for young children. And wants to run her own orphanage one day
What does advanced education look like in Uganda? Those who qualify are promoted from Primary 7 to Senior 1. If they can pay the fees, these students begin four years of Senior O levels followed by two years of Senior A levels. If qualified and financially able, they then enter University.
Change the Truth currently sponsors 26 children from St. Mary Kevin Orphanage. One student, Douglas, is in nursing school. Daniel just graduated Senior 6 and is waiting for his final grades - he'd like to attend University and study accounting. We have 11 kids we're sponsoring at the Senior O level and 7 at the A level. Emanuel Vincent attends a music vocational school.
Five recent grads of P-7 produced impressive final exam scores and have met all the requirements for receiving CTT sponsorship for the Senior levels. They are: Sam, Willy, Nicky, Scovia and Abbas.
The new school term began February 1; these students have been on my mind a lot lately! Providing an education for the children from the orphanage has always been the number one goal for CTT. This provides them the key for productive, successful and fulfilling futures. In the past, it has been possible to sponsor a student for $285 per year. Due to increases in school fees, the cost of food and the fact that the sponsorship now includes the purchase of everything from books to toilet paper, the amount required is $600.00 per year for Senior O and $750 per year for Senior A (one-third due in February, May and September). Please consider making such an annual investment. I can make a match for you, and I will arrange for you to receive letters and grade cards from your student. You will forge a relationship, and that would be rewarding for you AND your student!
Meet Rosette:
-Age: 16
-Date of Birth: September 25, 1993
-Arrived at SMK: 2003
-Mother: Teddy- died of AIDS (in 2006)
-Father: Died in War
-Siblings: I have four brothers (Brian, Moses, Rogers, and Godfrey) and two sisters (Barbra and Brenda) who live in my village.
-Tribe: Lugbara
I lost my mother in 2006. I was at school when I found out that she had died. And my father died in the war when I was much younger. Before coming to St. Mary Kevin, I lived in Kitiko with my grandfather. He is still alive and is my guardian. I came to SMK for music and dancing. I stay here during the holidays and I board at school. I don’t get to see my grandfather that often. I love St. Mary Kevin. It is a place where I can be very happy. I am especially happy when I am with the other orphans. I love Mama Rosemary and the other kids. My family is all of us here at SMK. When I grow up I want to be a lawyer for young children. And I hope to run my own orphanage one day, so I can help kids in need just like Mama Rosemary helped me.
-Talents: Dancing, singing, and netball
-Future goals: a lawyer for young children. And wants to run her own orphanage one day
Monday, February 01, 2010
one more donation for haiti
The outpouring of compassion from the photographic community toward the victims of the earthquake in Haiti has been impressive. Immediately after the quake, gallerists, artists and collectors alike started looking for ways to help. You may recall a few posts ago I wrote about a print I donated to Crista Dix’s Wallspace Gallery (Seattle.) The edition of ten prints sold out in two days and resulted in a $500 donation to Doctors Without Borders. Crista, with the help of others who donated work, has raised over $5,000 at this point. Her goal is twice that, and at the rate people are continuing to donate and purchase work, I believe she’ll get there.
Eric Keller of Soulcatcher Studio (Santa Fe) is offering a similar auction, "PictureHOPE." He has contacted several women photographers and asked them to make limited editions to sell on his website; the proceeds will also go directly to Doctors without Borders. Together, they have already raised $8.000! Click here.
There are some wonderful images in both auctions, and I hope you’ll take a look. It’s a great opportunity to buy a print by an artist whose work you’ve admired – or possibly someone you’ve not heard of yet. The artist gets the satisfaction of knowing the ten prints will go to loving homes and the $50 paid for each print will help the people in Haiti who need medical care. The collector (you!) will get a great image at a bargain price and the satisfaction of knowing you are also helping. It’s a win/win, as they say.
So, take a look at both Wallspace and Soulcatcher and tell your friends about these gallery auctions. Crista, Eric, the participating photographers and you (the shopper) are all to be congratulated.
This picture from my Sea Series is the special limited edition print that just became available at Soulcatcher. It is an 8” x 8” print on 11” x 11” Ultrasmooth Fine Art paper. It is signed, dated and numbered on the back and designated as part of this special project.
Eric Keller of Soulcatcher Studio (Santa Fe) is offering a similar auction, "PictureHOPE." He has contacted several women photographers and asked them to make limited editions to sell on his website; the proceeds will also go directly to Doctors without Borders. Together, they have already raised $8.000! Click here.
There are some wonderful images in both auctions, and I hope you’ll take a look. It’s a great opportunity to buy a print by an artist whose work you’ve admired – or possibly someone you’ve not heard of yet. The artist gets the satisfaction of knowing the ten prints will go to loving homes and the $50 paid for each print will help the people in Haiti who need medical care. The collector (you!) will get a great image at a bargain price and the satisfaction of knowing you are also helping. It’s a win/win, as they say.
So, take a look at both Wallspace and Soulcatcher and tell your friends about these gallery auctions. Crista, Eric, the participating photographers and you (the shopper) are all to be congratulated.
This picture from my Sea Series is the special limited edition print that just became available at Soulcatcher. It is an 8” x 8” print on 11” x 11” Ultrasmooth Fine Art paper. It is signed, dated and numbered on the back and designated as part of this special project.
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