Snow Day

These were taken earlier this month on the last good snow of the year (probably). So, the photographers hit the road in search of news and weather (which was everywhere).

About 4 days a week I get up early to coach some rowing before work. On this day we were inside, so I grabbed a couple of photos on my way there.


Did it need a sign?


Trying to keep the floors clean from the slush.


I don't know if it worked out well, but it looked like fun.

Dreams of a First Home

The Free Lance-Star began a series last week to localize and put faces on the stimulus package. It's called The Stimulus: Bringing It Home. This began with an idea by Mike Morones, my co-worker here in the photography department, initially dealing with Obama's agenda. We planned that one out, but due to some happenings at the paper in January, it never took off. That plan got adapted by a reporter, Bill Freehling, to now be this series. I think it should prove to be some heartfelt stories and a strong package, running occasionally over the next few weeks, and being 15 stories long.
It's been a lot of work planning it out, building the multimedia presentation for it with the help of Alex Russell, and then updating that as the stories run. We're going to keep working on it and improving it throughout the series as well. Figure why not make it all that it can be when we actually have the chance to do so?
I was lucky enough to get to shoot the kickoff story, and I was actually happy with out it turned out. Got to meet a couple of great first-time home buyers, who give my currently renting and leasing self some hope.
Tracy and I spent hours talking and chatting as we waited for delivery men to arrive and handymen to show up. I really enjoyed our conversations.

Child Support

Child Support - Ghana is one of NGOs I've met that really touched me. I'll write more about it, but here are some photos of their projects. I had the chance to spend 2 days with Eric Coomans and the other volunteers in Wa, Northern Ghana.


A children's home where 10 children live with one house-mother when their parents are not able to take care of them.


A hospice center. Hospice here does not mean the final stages, and while many are no longer here, some leave once recovered. Rashida is 24 years-old.


A rehabilitation center for malnourished babies and children. Being one of the poorest regions in Ghana, the malnutrition stems from not being able to afford food.


A home and training program for young women. These women would have otherwise been sent to Accra for a life of carrying water and goods on their heads to make a living, which often results in becoming a commercial sex worker to get by. Instead they are being trained to sew and in hairdressing, and have their own business which they run.

I want a hippopotomus for Christmas

Seeking Shade

Still not used to it

RAAP

RAAP, or the Rural Aid Action Programme, is an NGO based in Hain, Ghana. Their mission is to develop the region, and much of their work revolves around giving independence to women.


As one of the programs, women are given goats as livestock to help earn a sustainable income. In return for the goat given by RAAP, each woman must give a goat born back to the organization, who in turn passes it on to another woman.


Some women also have the chance to get a donkey and cart, which can in turn provide an income by being rented or used. It is also better for the woman's health, decreasing the need to carry heavy loads on her head.


The Village Savings & Loan program gives women in a village the chance to save and borrow money on their own. The men have a separate group.

Working with this organization for a couple of days was very interesting and really showed the amount of good that a small action and mission can do. The women were given independence and confidence. I was not given the opportunity to photograph as freely on my own as I would have liked, but enjoyed meeting these women.

Faces

Woman and wife of the chief trained in making batik cloth.


Yes, it's a kid picture, but I like the face... and the bunny.


Chief.