“One of the most extreme and distressing results of abject poverty is when desperate parents are forced to sell their children. With no state support, if parents are unable to work through illness or disability and there’s no supporting community, the choices available to people facing starvation are very limited and the unthinkable does happen. Although small in percentage terms, it is surprisingly common and children then face severe danger and risks. Families will sell their own daughters for a sum that will see them through the year, often believing that the girls are going to get a job or an education. Virgins command a higher price as many men believe that sex with a virgin will cure AIDS. To ensure a girl’s virginity, girls as young as 5 or 6 years old are bought and then raped.” ConcertCambodia.org
This passage, pulled from the website of ConcertCambodia.org highlights the unfathomable decisions made by impoverished families throughout Cambodia. Organizations like Concert Cambodia are working with volunteer members to combat this atrocity and develop ongoing programs to improve the quality of life in the country.
This little gem pictured above is an orphan we met in Phnom Penh. She was on a once-a-year field trip to a museum. Seeing these children has moved us to explore volunteer opportunities and with the help of dedicated organizations and people who want to see a change, we hope that children like her can grow up safe and healthy.
Weekly Photo Challenge – Wrong
Stay in the loop
Shoot in the morning and evening when light is best and kids are freshest. Capture the candid moments between the posed ones. Let kids take photos too because their perspective is genuinely interesting. And decide in advance whether you want to be a photographer on this trip or a participant because trying to be both fully is hard.
The best camera is the one you actually bring. A mirrorless camera with a versatile lens covers most situations well. A quality smartphone camera is capable of excellent results with the right light. The difference between gear levels matters less than being present enough to notice the moment worth capturing.
Get on their level rather than shooting down. Chase the light rather than the location. Let them be doing something rather than posing. Burst mode catches the expressions between the forced smiles. And the photos that feel most true are usually the ones nobody knew were being taken.
Photo books made annually keep memories organized and accessible. A travel journal written in the moment captures things photos miss. Kids writing or drawing about trips creates keepsakes they will treasure later. And sharing on a blog or with family back home adds an audience that makes the documentation feel worthwhile.
Places where kids have something to do rather than just stand in front of. Markets where there is movement and color. Playgrounds in foreign countries. Beaches. Anywhere the environment creates the context rather than requiring a perfect pose.
Share this:
Discover more from Adventures We Seek
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
[…] Weekly Photo Challenge – Wrong | Adventures We Seek […]
[…] Weekly Photo Challenge – Wrong | Adventures We Seek […]