Samuel www.healafrica.org
Let me tell you about Samuel.
I met Samuel at Mamman Jeanne’s orphanage in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa.
Mamman Jeanne’s orphange is sponsored by CNEC Partners International and supported by Heal Africa.
Samuel danced for us on arrival. He was awesome.
I then had the privilege of interviewing him.
In short, here’s his story:
When Samuel was 2 and still being breast fed, his mother was set upon randomly by the militia. They do that, for fun.
She was attacked with machetes and kiiled where she stood. Samuel was cut by the blow. You can see the scar on the left hand side of his face. He also has some scars on his scalp.
Oh and he lost his left hand.
Thinking they were all dead and their days work done, the militia left.
Samuel was discovered, barely but still alive.
He was taken from his mother’s corpse and somehow delivered to Mamman Jeanne. A remarkable woman who nursed him herself (as she was already breast feeding her own child). Samuel is now 16 and still at Mamman Jeanne’s orphanage.
Which resides in a war torn country not ‘important’ enough to save.
People like Samuel are everywhere in Congo.
Everywhere.
People like Mamman Jeanne?
Not quite so many.
Samuel likes playing soccer and dancing.
Prior to us arriving a chid had been stolen from the orphanage by the militia to be a child soldier.
How long do you reckon Samuel has?
When people ask you to donate to these causes, they’re asking you because it’s the only way they will survive.
It’s as simple and as gruesome as that.
Not unlike the crime in the first place.
Samuel www.healafrica.org belongs to the following groups:
Street Photography and Photojournalism Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints
Jessica Tremp
great capture Mel and a gripping story…it’s so saddening, this world sometimes
David Stuart
Wonderfully powerful work as usual Melinda and what a story !!
Steve Axford
I like this a lot.
Paul Louis Vil...
Thank you Melinda for sharing with us and for perhaps opening the eyes of those who sometimes chose not to see.
I can imagine the work you do to be heartwrenching at times. This powerful piece and its description is a testament to you as a person and artist.
Melinda Kerr
Thanks guys. My bit is easy. The thing that wrenches my heart the most is how useless I feel and how I wish I had more time and money to help.
Charlotte Morison
What an amazing story Mel, what a job you have, I would be so upset by such a thing that I’m not sure I would be able to interview him.
There you are making a huge difference in the world, with your photography and art as well as your work!
Melinda Kerr
It’s a voluntary job Charlotte-sadly not my full time work. I hope one day to raise enough money to make a documentary-that’d be another work of love but I think one which could really do something.
Nicole Goggins
Melinda as usual your work is amazing, great photo and v. moving story! I read it out loud to my daughter who was complaining about what food she had to choose from in our cupboard (now sitting quietly eating an apple – for the time being)... You might not feel like you are doing much but you are doing heaps to help get the word out there, most of us are v. sheltered from such tragedy – living in our own little world… keep up the great work – you really are making a huge difference…
Andy73
Beautiful and moving. This is what photography is all about. Thank you for sharing!
Melinda Kerr
Thanks guys. Much appreciated x
Carlo Cesar Ro...
Wonderful shot! Congrats and more power! :-)
SylviaHardy
It makes me so sad that people can be so cruel to one another! Destroying peoples lifes, just doing it either for fun and to hold power – we live in a wicked world! Besides all of the grand jobs that you do there, what hope is there for such ones who have suffered so much loss and there is no hope?
Melinda Kerr
Well that’s the thing. We have to all work together to create hope. Love brings hope. Love and all of the ways love manifests itself. But without Love. Real love. There is no hope. With Love? Anything is possible.
rebecca zachariah
Well written melinda. HIs courage is just amazing.
DawsonImages
Gret use of shallow DOf, very evocative
Paul Vanzella
Strong image Melinda – the way he is leaning forward says it all… and the depth of field makes this shot… you are instantly captured by the expression! Wonderful shot!
Melissa Vowell
Melinda i’m actually crying, not almost crying, really actually crying.
Melinda Kerr
Hey Melissa yep it’s moving isn’t it. It’s cool that your moved. It means you have a heart :)
Alessandro Pinto
Fantastic Picture.. All your work is an inspiration !!! Thanks for sharing the story as powerful as the image !
ApeArt
oh my goodness, thank you for sharing this
Judith Oppenhe...
incredible portrait, heartrending story
Judith Oppenhe...
and beautiful young man
Eric Greiff
Beautiful and powerful! Thank you very much.
Marnie Kirkness
each story with each of your photos is powerful. We need to hear more of these stories to touch our hearts more.
Lisa Solonynko
Outstanding image and story. Thank you!
ellcot
This is powerful and moving – both image and story. The image conveys the horrible fact that he is just one of many such tragic stories. Thank you for doing this difficult work.