February 26th, 2008
This is Soori – he wants to be a Minister of the State so he can change his nation and help his friends out of poverty. Currently he lives on the streets in a village north of Freetown. He knows his education is the most important thing to obtain his goals. In the meantime, he begs people for money for his school fees so he is able to study.
February 23rd, 2008
Back again. It feels like only yesterday I was here in Africa.
It is a place that i’ve grown to love so much. I only wish i was here for longer.
After hours and hours of plane flights, we arrived in Freetown about 11am on Friday. We took the Ferry across from the airport and approached a city that looked exactly how I imagined. The hustle and bustle of people everywhere. So much traffic down the main road that your car can only inch it’s way along. We pulled up to a hotel that use to be the headquarters for the rebels during the civil war. They destroyed it when they came into Freetown and the Rebel leader set up here. The chinese came in years later after the war ended and remodeled the whole thing, it was opened back up to the public in 2003. It’s crazy to imagine what this place was like then.
Tomorrow we are headed out to the villages a few hours away from Freetown. The difference of this place compared to Congo is unreal. Nobody has guns here anymore because it is illegal. People have haved moved on into freedom in their lives again. It’s a beautiful thing to see. I’m told, the population of Freetown is about 2.5 million.. It had doubled in size after the war, because many people from the villages had no homes left and came to the city to live.
I am going to photograph in the market later today, hopefully post photos of that soon. The internet is really iffy here, so we shall see if it works.
Love you all!
-Esther
captured this in the Ferry headed to Freetown
February 21st, 2008
Today was cutting it close in getting the Visa less than 48 hours before my departure, but sure enough it came in the mail today.
I am taking off to Sierra Leone tomorrow to photograph for a company here in Austin who is working on community development projects.
I can’t wait to share stories and photographs of this place. So many of you have watched Blood Diamond and have a view of this place as being just that. That war ended in 2002. what does this country look like 6 years later ? Have things changed ?
I will be telling you stories along the way as I have access to Internet. It’s a joy to be going back to Africa so quickly since my venture to the Congo.
I hope you are all blessed this beautiful day and please do keep me in your prayers as I travel and photograph.
love,
Esther
February 16th, 2008
Back in Austin for a few days this week catching up on the editing and creating new beautiful things. Leaving the country again this week.. i really don’t get to have my bags unpacked for very long. It’s crazy really.
Africa in Art.
These are for sale.
let me know if you want to purchase any!-esther
February 11th, 2008
After a few wonderful days in Austin surrounded by friends, I’m headed out of the country yet again. Back to the warm weather of Guadalajara, Mexico. Mmmmm Guacamole. This city has really grown on me. I’ve been back several times this past year and each time I find new things to love about it. I’m going to get some great images to bring back and share with you!
I’ll write more from there.
-Esther
February 7th, 2008
I’m up in New York on a shoot this week and catching up with many friends at the same time. I am still absolutely in love with this city, but my feet might tell you differently at the moment.
Wanted to share a few photos that my friend Eric took on his roof in brooklyn yesterday – He had a new polaroid camera he was playing around with. He’s going to be famous. guaranteed.
Check out more of his work here: http://www.ericryananderson.com
( did i mention that he’s been published in national geographic ? )
I know I do much better behind the camera.. but I must say I adore polaroids!
-esther
