Here but by the grace of God that could have been me. Rwanda, Africa.

a very valid moment… beautiful photo melinda.

What a difference we could make in the world if we earned more so that we could give more away rather than accumulating more junk! A great image, Mel – what’s actually happening with this little group?

Another Great photo melinda…..nice framing too!

You are entitled to such moments, and thank you for sharing. It is worthwhile and humbling for some of us to experience the impact of your work. Thank you Melinda!

Thanks everyone. How’s the jet lag going Craig? Yes I’m experimenting with processing. I was never into ‘mucking around with images’ but RB has inspired me and it’s fun. These little kids are praying at an outside service in Rwanda. It’s a brave act because we were in a northern town where Christians can get severely harassed by the muslim population (not meaning to be politically inncorrect just saying it like it is in this instance). Some people I met had been poisoned by their own families when they decided to become Christian as opposed to Muslim. Or their houses had been burnt down. Or they had been beaten. I’m a Christian and I’m in favour of freedom of religion. You choose your faith. Obviously I reckon mine is good and right but that doesn’t mean I favour persecution of those who disagree with me. The proper Christian way is to care and respect all I reckon. Ooops, didn’t mean this to become a sermon! Just thought I’d answer the questions!

Great shot. I really hope you can get a book out soon in some way as I’d love to buy it and look forward to all your uploads!

Good on ya Natalie you’ve made my day!

stunning Mel, you are producing some real winners

This is another beautifully humanist image.

Your explanation reminds me of one of my favourite Leunig cartoons of a man atop a ladder reaching for a book from the ‘self help’ shelf and the whole thing is falling down. You’re right about our self-obsession, we only think that way because we have the material freedom to do so. I imagine that most of these children think ‘The Secret’ is about not being killed or beaten. Humbling.

Well said Chris.

I’m going to write a self help book on curing everyone’s insecure addiction to self help books.

Beautiful, thought provoking image.

You had me at the title, the original version is something I say to myself often. Love the image, well done.

Just fabulous.

Briliant shooting – you have an amazing style and eye!

Good work, Melinda.

Very powerful image Mel. You do great work! I love photojournalism, and plan to add some of my own shortly. Keep up the good work.

Great shot and work Mel.

Just coming back from Sri Lanka, we found out a lot about how people are exploited by religion via the lure of money, taking advantage of their unfortunate situation. Also how people from such countries are lured to rich countries for the money and exploited, beaten and generally abused as they are seen as a lower form of being. Really sad.

And i complain about our system, but am also thankful for it. Catch 22.

Melinda, what beautiful work…not only this image, but all that I have viewed here on the site. I am interested in speaking with you further about the purchase of larger images, and/or perhaps using some of your work in fund raising for African orphans. Could you e-mail me, please? Thanks very much, God bless. Teresa

FANTASTIC CAPTURE! VERY TOUCHING

very powerful image,,,

Very well captured.
The composition, DOF, lighting and timing are perfect.

This is such a moving shot

insanely powerful!