Sad Eyes
For three years I worked at a camp outside St.Louis Missouri…......with children from the city. Each week…a bus would drive into the campground with children’s face plastered all over the windows. They’d be herded off…all scared with eyes huge in their faces. These children came from the streets…they’d never seen trees or wild-life outside of zoos or parks in the city.
I was blessed in that I was a nature director/recreation director…and the girls head leader. I wasn’t required to ‘preach religion’ to them…I just made it fun for them to BE ALIVE and THERE! This young girl…would you believe…is 9 years old (same age as my son)...she’d been sold on the streets by her mother for a handful of drugs. Father unknown.
By the end of the week…the children hid so they didn’t have to go back to the city…it was always tearful good-byes….and hopes that they’d be there again or if not…that their lives had been lightened even a little bit.
I never knew what happened to this little girl once she left. She was never found again by the people who ran the camp.
Sad Eyes belongs to the following groups:
THE WAIST UP - Portraiture Photography and United StatesAvailable for sale as Cards
TravisRussell, 2 months ago
What a cute little girl.AaaHaa,she has a hula-hoop.I just saw that new Chipmunk Movie with my grandaughter.Remember,they sung the song about wanting a hula-hoop for Christmas.Nice shot.
Carla Jandelle... in reply to TravisRussell’s comment, 2 months ago
gag…i rented that for my son? amazing how many times a child can watch that movie in 4 days.
MzSardonicus, 2 months ago
Let’s pray she found a good life. Beautiful photo.
TravisRussell, 2 months ago
Such a sad story about the little girl.I’m sorry,I over looked it the first time.
Donna Wright, 2 months ago
This shot is soooo moving and heart wrenching, You truly captured overwhelming sadness in this little girls face.
calam19, 2 months ago
omg thats such a touching story and makes u feel so much for any child like those.. their just babies and people treat them so awful..makes u cry…how can anyone do such things..
This picture captures how pretty she is and innocents that children should be allowed to be.
Carla Jandelle... in reply to MzSardonicus’s comment, 2 months ago
i pray for those kids everyday. i knew so many that didn’t make it…....is a sad situation for children on the streets. a world they should never have to live in. thanx Mz.
Carla Jandelle... in reply to TravisRussell’s comment, 2 months ago
since i post so many images? easily understood. sad that this story is so common for so many children.
Carla Jandelle... in reply to Donna Wright’s comment, 2 months ago
i honestly can’t say i ever remembered seeing her smile? the story is all written in her eyes….....
Carla Jandelle... in reply to calam19’s comment, 2 months ago
just in the 3 years i worked there? we had children that…..1.lived on the streets as prostitues (under the age of 10) 2.were siblings who ran away from foster home…because they knew no one would want to adopt 3 african american children..one of who was mentally handicapped…4.3 siblings who were identical..two girls/one boy…..that all looked the same because it got them more money when begging to be ‘pretty’...they’d all grown their hair out long to look ‘prettier’....including the boy. 5.i had two boys…who didn’t come back the third year because they were killed in street gang fights (one was 9 the other 7)................enuf sadness for a child to have to live in and the do…everyday.
Heloisa Castro, 2 months ago
cool shot
Judith Oppenhe..., 2 months ago
heartwrenching story, beautiful portrait, eyes that stay with you forever. such a sad, beautiful child.
Julie Thomas, 2 months ago
beautiful image, the story gave me goosebumps
Carla Jandelle... in reply to Julie Thomas’s comment, 2 months ago
there are much happier ones from the place…sadly though..the reality? the camp was a place for these ‘prisoners of modern time’ to get away from the horrors of THEIR homes/streets/lives. Thanx Julie for the comment/visit!
Andromedae, 2 months ago
It is a beautiful portrait and a beatiful story. I know, they were just children and so much depends on circamstances of what becomes to them, but in this girl’s eyes there is still so much innocence and purity, so let’s hope, she is OK!
Carla Jandelle... in reply to Andromedae’s comment, 2 months ago
thank you for the comment….....and i definately keep praying for these children who mostly are adults or almost adults now.
Kenny Gulley Jr., 2 months ago
wow
speaks so much
Carla Jandelle... in reply to Kenny Gulley Jr.’s comment, 2 months ago
tell me about it! one child alone? with so much HISTORY…and all written there for us to see
Damien Woods, about 1 month ago
A sad story, but a beautiful portrait well composed. Good colour effect, too.
Carla Jandelle... in reply to Damien Woods’s comment, about 1 month ago
i prefer black/white or sepia for portraiture….leads u’r eye with less confusion i guess. thank you