January 13th, 2008
January 12th, 2008
Day 3 in the Congo.
I didn’t want to wake up this morning for some reason. I really hadn’t felt the affect of my jet lag till today. I was quite shocked that I transitioned so quickly without having naps and strange sleeping patterns. When i did finally open my eyes, I almost had to pinch myself because for a moment I thought I was at home in Austin in my own bed. The nights have been very cool here. I am very lucky to have such nice weather in Africa.
We headed out mid-morning to not sure of the schedule for the day. All plans constantly seem to change at a moments notice. We pulled up to a medical clinic / church compound. We sat with one of the professors who teaches on Aids there and interviewed him for about an hour about their education program he had in place. He seemed to know a lot about Aids, but had few materials to distribute to the community to teach them. After the meeting, we went to tour the compound and facilities and met some children in the area and began to play and photograph with them. The next thing i knew, we had to leave. Apparently the head honcho wasn’t very happy about this because the clinic isn’t in very good condition and he is very conscious about this being documented. If we wanted to film, they would have to fix it up and make it look “good ” for us to do so. We tried to explain to them that it was for their benefit that we document what it was like at this moment. If we show the way it REALLY is, more people will want to help. He threatened us to call the police if we didn’t leave right away. We got back in our vehicle and drove away.
We came back to our compound where we met a woman who is living with Aids. She was absolutely beautiful, dressed in her traditional clothing with a giant grin lighting up her face. I decided to try my french with her and see if she could understand me. I took a semester of french in college, but only got as far as describing family members and basic conversation. Shockingly, we somewhat communicated when we started to talk about our families. I showed her a photograph of mine and she wanted to know who each person was. She told me about her 6 children and her husband that had already passed away from Aids. We took her outside where Josh ( the videographer ) set up a professional interview. She told her story to us in a very bold and strong view. She is a positive woman who wants to speak about what she lives with because she wants more to know how they can help people who have Aids. Her biggest concern seemed to be funding for the education of her children when she passed away. One year in a government school costs about $150 US dollars per child.
After the interview, we went to meet another women with Aids. Both are part of a support group here in the capitol for women living with it. They are being threatened by their landlord to be kicked out because they talk so openly to everyone about having HIV. This has caused them to want to move outside of the city and live together in their own makeshift community. Many people have Aids and don’t want to be tested because of the shame it brings them from their families and friends. They also have false information that they hear as to what HIV is.
Today was a heavy day with a lot of learning on my part. I took each of these women aside before and after the interviews and photographed them. I also brought my polaroid camera and gave each woman a picture of themselves to give to their families.
I’ve attached a few photos from the day.
Tomorrow starts with early morning church in English ( whew thank goodness ) at a Zimbabwean church.
January 12th, 2008
Congo – Day 2
Today I awoke to a restful night of sleep in my bed with a beautiful, white mosquito net hanging above. We are currently staying at a christian compound in the heart of Kinshasa, the capitol.
We ventured out early morning to a hospital called Horizon 3000. We drove as far as we could to get to the clinic until the roads got so bad we could drive no further. Only the big trucks could make it over the rough terrain. Everyone stared right at us when we approached the main intersections. It seems that for the most part, the only foreigners here, are either UN or one of the few aid workers.
We approached a very nice clinic with a green lawn courtyard. We toured the inside as I photographed the malaria patients and got to know them a bit better. The Dr. provides healthcare to the surrounding community and has never turned a patient away. If they had no money, he said he would still find a way to help them.
They run an aids program at the clinic every other week. They invite 30 people from the community to the courtyard to educate them on aids and gives them the oppurtunity to be tested. The cost of 1 HIV test is about $1.50 in American dollars which is almost two days wage for most people here. The Dr. wanted to show us the neighborhood so I wrapped plastic around my camera and lens and attempted to shoot in the rain for my first time ever. People here are very private about being photographed. It is not at all like the other place I’ve been to where the kids run for the camera and will do anything to see themselves on the screen. Here they hide and put their hands up to block their faces from view. I also have to be extremely careful of getting caught by officers who would see me photographing. As I hear, if you are caught you can risk your gear being confiscated. I have to dodge to hide the camera if at any moment I see any type of man in uniform – and let me tell you…they are everywhere !!!!!!
Overall, I am happy with a few images from the day. But, something in me is gnawing to find out more… to really dig deep into the Congolese hearts and find their voices. What are they going through daily ? Do they live in fear ? What is life really like in the Congo? I believe these are questions that we all really want to know. If you think of anything you are questioning, please shoot me an email and let me know.
Saturday, I am meeting two women with HIV who have been out-casted from their community and families. They want to tell their story for all to hear.
January 11th, 2008
Hey Guys,
hello from the Democratic Republic of Congo. I’ve already written this twice with no success of it actually posting so i’ll try to make it quick.
I arrived in the DRC after many days of travel. I ended up on one of the craziest flights of my entire life from Paris to Kinshasa, Congo. Two hand cuffed woman were being deported back to their country by 6 French police aboard our Air France flight. They didn’t stop screaming when they were placed in seat belts in the back row. This threw the cabin into an uproar as the journalists were yelling at the congolese and vise versa. At one point a congolese man took a charge at the screaming woman and the police had to hold him back as people yelled. It felt like a Riot on the plane. And of course I was secretly filming as this all took place. It was at that point they called in the federal french police to calm the situation. They boarded our plane and commanded that each person sit in their seats so we could take off. An hour later, we finally went into the air. My mind began to question as to where I was really going.
Arriving into Kinshasa airport was interesting. I have never before been to such a place of corrupt chaos. They demanded money for everything single things they possibly could. When I handed her my Visa at the customs booth she looked it over and was about to call somebody over when I presented my letter of invitation from the government she then proceeded to say ” Go ahead “, in french or at least that is what I thought she said. The next stop was doctors who scan over all your immunizations to make sure you can enter their country. I had a pretty big list of hefty shots i had to take in the past months just for this trip. I was then greeted by one of our contacts who would escort me through customs. I entered into one of the most undescribable places i’ve ever been.
I talked to a woman this morning by the name of Mrs. Briget. She is here in Kinshasa and traveled all the way from East Congo to get her 24 year old daughter medical help. They have no idea what sickness she has, but are desperate for help. Her name is Jermani. I will have more of her story in the coming days.
Today we are venturing into the medical clinics on the outskirts of the city. I am going to be careful as to where I bring my camera out. This is a place where nobody wants to be seen or heard.
-Esther
January 9th, 2008
Hello Everyone,
Today I embark on an adventure unlike any i’ve been on before. I’m headed to the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa. As i am told it is very hard for any person to get a Visa into this country right now, let alone a woman. I feel I have favor in having this oppurtunity to go and capture a story that needs to be told there. I am headed out today and should land in Africa sometime tomorrow. I will be photographing from morning to night almost everyday at the same time doing as much I can to help the health care facilities and orphanges we will be visiting. There are so many problems in this country right now and it is a very unsafe place to be for any person.
I plan to have internet while i’m there and will be posting day by day if possible.
Thank you all for your continued support in my life. It is a gift to be doing what I love.
-esther
January 4th, 2008
This whole week i’ve been catching up on editing. I have gone through all of my trips all over again and reflecting the amazing journey’s i’ve been on this past year. I traveled the most of any year in my life visiting a total of 12 countries outside the U.S and filled up my passport.
I am so thankful for the opportunities that unfolded and each of the people that I met. I cherish the friendships i’ve made with all my heart. There are some big things in store for this coming 2008 year ! I can already tell you it’s going to be busy. It’s starting to fill up fast with assignments around the world. I can’t wait to share with you all what I come back with.
Be sure to check out the new postings on the website : Charity Water, South Africa and Mozambique. I will be posting the new Toms Shoes images very shortly. Here are a few of my favorite edits from this past week.
