(Espanol abajo). There is a big movement in the world of photography to try and help people through pictures. The are large movements like Help Portrait, Think Pink Photography (which I am a part of) and individuals who inspire, such as Zack Arias and his series of motivational blog posts. All of these things gave me further motivation to give back with photography, something I’ve been looking for ways to do for a while.
An acquaintance introduced me to an orphanage/foster home for children ranging from newborns to 3 years old. It is a great organization with over 40 kids in their care here in Santiago. The staff is diligent, caring and have a great responsibility for the kids living there. These children have arrived at the home because their family decided to/or was determined unfit(for various reasons) to be able to care for them. It can’t be an easy life, but they always greet me with smiles.
I have embarked on a project to photograph all the kids in the home once a month. Each child has a folder where we store the photos and follow their growth. The idea is that when the children either return to their family or are adopted, they have a record of their infancy and/or childhood and have these important memories, just like other kids who are in more fortunate situations.
It is truly an enlightening experience that makes you appreciate what you have and your upbringing. I’m lucky that I had a great supportive family growing up, with lots of memories and pictures, so I am glad to be able to at least help these kids in some way.
I have so many cute pictures of beaming smiles and big eyes from my visits at the home, but due to their at-risk situation, I can’t show their faces. So here’s just a small sampling of what I can share.
Hay un gran movimiento en fotografia ahora para ayudar a personas a traves de fotografia. Hay grandes grupos y personas individuales que estan inspirando y coordinando varios esfuerzos.
Una conocida me introdujo a una casa de lactantes aqui en Santiago. La gente que trabaja alla es diligetne, carinoso y feliz y esfuerza muco para cuidar a los 40 ninos entre recien nacido y tres años de vida. Los ninos estan alli porque su situacion familiar no les permite vivir en casa. No tienen una vida facil, pero siempre me saludan con sonrisas.
He empezado un proyecto de ir a la casa una vez al mes para sacar retratos de todos los ninos. Cada nino tiene una carpeta donde guardamos las fotos para mostrar su crecimiento. La idea es que cuando regresen a sus familias o sean adoptados, tendre un recuerdo de su infancia/ninez como todos los otros ninos.
Es una experiencia muy linda que te hace apreciar lo que tienes. Tenia suerte de tener a una familia que me quiere y que me apoye y me alegro poder tener la oportunidad para ayudar a estes ninos de alguna forma.
Debido a su situacion de peligro, no puedo mostrar sus caras aqui, pero por lo menos, puedo incluir algunos momentos que capture.
If you are interested in supporting this great cause, either with monetar support, donations of diapers and forumla or by volunteering, please let me know.
Si esta interesado en apoyar a esta causa, con dinero, donaciones de panales o comida, o como voluntario, avisame.
