As refugees flee their homes, and home lands, they bring very little with them. Most of what they own is carried for miles on their backs. Few have anything, and many have nothing. However, there are a handful of people that are fortunate enough to bring some of there work tools. Salgado captures one such individual in Tanzania, who with the blessing of his sewing machine has been able to mend clothes, and sew tents for the benefit of the "colony."
This sewing machine is not only meant to display the helpfulness of such technology in the refugee communities, but to endow in the viewer, the desire to provide such a blessing. What Salgado attempts to display is the many talents, and qualifications of these refugees. All they need is the chance. In a very real sense, it is the microcredit idea, except, instead of just solving world poverty, we are solving lives. According to the Unitus home page, giving others opportunities, in and of its self, will ultimately offer "increased economic stability...the real possiblity of self-sufficiency."

Salgado, Sebastiao. Photograph. Migrations: Humanity in Transition. Aperture. Web. New York, 2000. 178

"Innovative Solutions to Global Poverty." Unitus. 2010. Web. 18 Mar. 2010

Following the Tutsi and Hutu political tension in Rwanda, hundreds of thousands of Hutu are seen fleeing their home land. Perhaps, these Hutu move out of fear; fear that the Tutsi rebels will seek to kill in their revenge. This is the sad story that Salgado displays, the story Immaculee Ilibagiza describes to us in her book, "Left to Tell."

The reader must have in his/her mind, the people, moving slowly accross a blood filled land. This image in our minds is necessary, for it allows us to visualize feelings, and to experience their humanity. The are not walking alone, as the luggage they carry keeps them company. All they have, they carry upon their backs. The distance they travel, so much further than the strength they can handle. Yet, somehow they push on, never reaching their destination.

Although, we may picture all refugees as adults with families, many do not have that luxury. Some of these boys never found a home, walking for thousands of miles on "barren ground."

Salgado, Sebastiao. Photograph. "Migrations: Humanity in Transition [The Human Family Around The World]." Legends Online. Kodiac Professional. n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2010

"Lesson plans for ages 9-11 in Civic Education: Refugee Children" UNHCR. The UN Refugee Agency, 2006. Web. 12 Mar. 2010

Immaculee Ilibagiza, a survivor of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, tells us her story of forgiveness. Forgiveness while she details how she watched a million of her Tutsi neighbors slaughtered because of their ethnicity. From the cramped bathroom hidden in the pastor's home, she shares her inspiring story of faith, indeed, "Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust." Immaculee uses the strategy of extreme detail to create in the reader a sense of overwhelming emotion. I found myself both inspired and depressed at different times during the book. Inspired by her ability to forgive, depressed by the unbelievable actions of the killers. Yet, while involved with either emotion, I couldn't stop reading. My mind and heart had to see the ending, had to see how the story ended. In truth, I would not recommend this book to any who are not willing to act on her challenge. Nor would I suggest it to the young, it being too graphic, too real. I would suggest it, however, to all those who are willing to look evil in the eye, willing to trust in God; knowing that He will protect you. This is a story of love, a story of forgiveness; this is the story of Immaculee Ilibagiza.

Picture: From Barns and Noble Review

Recently, a couple of my friends have been having problems with their knees. They constantly are telling me just how problematic moving with crutches can be. Day in and day out, they continually rely on the crutches aid. Luckily, their fate is merely a month or two, not a lifetime. The photograph, taken by Salgado, shows a couple of the many who have no knees to hurt. They stand on one leg, and instead, use their crutch as an integral part of their daily life.

These are not birth defects, but the result of landmines. According to Salgado's book, the price to place a landmine in the Kuito area is averaged at a mere $6.5, while the price to remove such explosives is about $650. Those who are handicapped by such weaponry are sent to the Lar do Cangalo, located on the outskirts of Kuito.

Although many are handicapped for life, many are dying. According to a website titled, World Vision, the number of people dying is between "15,000 and 20,000." (One)

"An estimated 80 percent of landmine victims are civilians; one-third of these are children." (One)

Yet, the woman standing on a single leg is embraced by her child, smiling. The background suggests hope, a bright sun shining in the distance. Who that sun might be, they do not know, but they are grateful to be alive.

Salgado, Sebastiao. Photograph. Migrations: Humanity in Transition. Aperture. Web. New York, 2000. 229

"One deadly step." World Vision. Building a better world for children, 2010. Web. 6 Mar. 2010

I spent nearly 24 hours on my bed just last tuesday, wondering if my stomach aches would ever leave me. The sickness was horrible. However, fortunate for the devoted readers of this blog, I am here, relieved from my symptoms. Yet, in reflection of my day in bed, something struck me... what if this sickness was my lifestyle.

This particular photo from Salgado, shows us the sickness. Shows us that because there is a shortage of water, these people cannot bathe or wash themselves. Imagine then the festering boil, the whopping caugh- How would you ever hope to stop it? With the water being used specifically for drinking and cooking, there is no hope in stopping it. In fact, as of the year 2000, one of the most deadliest diseases known to man has become a lifestyle. HIV, infecting more than 33 million, with about 20 million dying, has become an uncontrollable pandemic. The solutiona: prevent it from happening.

Salgado, Sebastiao. Photograph. "Migrations: Humanity in Transition [The Human Family Around The World]." Legends Online. Kodiac Professional. n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2010.

I come from a family of 10, and while that may not seem large to many, our house never has a dull moment. I am the oldest of 8 children, with 3 younger sisters, and 4 younger bothers. Each one of my siblings mean the world to me, and it was very hard leaving for college; very difficult to say goodbye. It would be very impossible to even imagine saying goodbye to them forever. Yet, these children from the S.O.S Orphanage in N'Dosho, Zaire may very well never see their families again.

According to Usaid.gov, the "total number of orphans worldwide is projected to reach 44 million by 2010" (Myorphanage.org). Imagine that, 44 million children without families-without the opportunity or the means to reach their full potential. Picture the anxiety Salgado captures so completly. The fear in not knowing what the future will bring.

Salgado, Sebastiao. Photograph. Migrations: Humanity in Transition. Aperture. Web. New York, 2000. 197

"The Total Number of Orphan Children Worldwide." MyOrphanage.org, 2009. Web. 17 Jul. 2010.

When I think of the many blessings I have been given, it is almost hard to think of life without the them. Yet, the very things I take for granted, daily, are the things other parts of the world struggle to find. Even the life of a poor lowly college freshman would seem heaven for a child in a third world country. Put yourself in their shoes-if only they had them...put your child in them. Where would you find fresh water? Where would you use the restroom? The answer for us might be difficult, but as the picture demonstrates life can still be lived.
In truth, those who live in those conditions make it life. They take raw material-literally-and create happiness. A talk given by President Thomas S. Monson shows us that we are given the "challenge of raw materials, not the ease of furnished things. [God] leaves the pictures unpainted and the music unsung and the problems unsolved, that man might know the joy and glories of creation" (Page 2). What makes this picture beautiful, is not in the display or contrast of the color, rather it is found in the eyes of the children, creating something out of nothing. The children play on the dirt removed for the latrine system and do it because it is a part of them, as it is a part of us. All nations and people have the desire to create, and although this photo might comes from the lonely corners of Tanzania, those idea are very similar to ours.

Salgado, Sebastiao. Photograph. Migrations: Humanity in Transition. Aperture. Web. New York, 2000. 175

Monson, Thomas S. In Quest of the Abundant Life. Web. Ensign, Mar 1988. Feb. 11. 2

Without light, there is darkness. Without hope, there is no light. For these young boys escaping to Kenya, provided for by the United Nations, they are all the hope their families have left. Together these boys travel; instead of games the seek, its death they hide. However, Salgado does not portray death in this picture, otherwise, the focus of the photograph would not be on the light.
Although there is separation from loved ones like I can't imagine, I can't help but to be inspired by the sacrifices of others. With these sacrifices, one of them provided by the United Nation refugee program, families have been given hope in the midst of war. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica the United Nations has been a factor in decreasing the number of refugees of 6,775,000 in 1992 to 2,748,400 in 2004 (refugee). The photo shows the process, it shows that not all is lost. The boys faces may be hidden individually by the light, but they shine brightly in unison.

Salgado, Sebastiao. Photograph. "Migrations: Humanity in Transition [The Human Family Around The World]." Legends Online. Kodiac Professional. n.d. Web. 4 Feb. 2010.

"refugee." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2010. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 05 Feb. 2010

"The death from Tuesday's 7.0 magnitude earthquake may exceed 100,000." -CNN

Death is real.

It is uncomfortable to view, and painful to imagine.

I am reminded of one of the 17 points from Galeano's "An Uncertain Grace," where death has become a natural part of life.
"Eyes of a child looking on death, not wanting to see it, unable to look away. Eyes riveted on death, snared by death-death that has come to take those eyes and that child" (12). In many ways this photo displays the dissolval of emotion for life. The very reason those who have seen death in this matter are desensitized. A tractor moves the dead bodies of men, women, and children-mixing them with the dirt from whence they were created. Others stand mindful, watching-degrading there feeling. Yet, there is nothing we can now do...except to prevent it from happening more.


Galeano, Eduardo. "Salgado, 17 times." An Uncertain Grace: Photographs by Sebastiao Salgado. New York 1990. 7-15

"Haite appeals for aid; official fears 100,000 dead after earthquake." 2010. Web. 28 Jan. 2010.

Salgado, Sebastiao. Photograph. Migrations: Humanity in Transition. Aperture. New York, 2000. 193

Jakarta

The beautiful thing about photography is that it allows the viewer to see what they will; Visual pictures of there own personal creation. For example, it is left to us on how to act when picturing those who suffered from the recent earthquake of Haiti. Yet, for some, there is no action besides the hopes and prayers of their hearts. Indeed, we may say those hopes and desires, if they are true, will be manifest in the sharing of them. We can then say that when we can do nothing else, it becomes our duty to raise an awareness of the situation. In helping others become more aware of the world around them, we will find those that can help beyond our own abilities.
This particular picture shows a child in Jakarta, Indonesia taking a bath in a bucket of "imported" water. In analyzing further, we find that in these parts of the world, there is no running water or drainage system for that mater. I was shocked. I have lived my entire life with running (and flushing) water without realizing how blessed I am. I merely turn a knob and the water is available at my disposal. As such, the Haitian problem, and the Indonesian problem can both be related. Today, one would just need to read the countless reports and constant t.v. screenings to see the suffering of the Haitian people. Deaths have reached over 70,000 with many believing the count will soar over 100,000. Now, the results may not be as extreme in Indonesia, but with the negative affects of "imported" water, and with drainage/sewage leaks, we could see the results of a very different kind of disaster.

Salgado, Sebastiao. Photograph. Migrations: Humanity in Transition. Aperture. New York, 2000. 362

Salgado

Sebastiao Salgado was born into a family of 8 in Minas Gerias Brazil, 1944. He earned a masters degree in economics at Sao Paulo University, Brazil and later studied in Sorbonne, France. He switched to photography in 1973, and ever since has been a huge influence in the world of photography. He has published several works with the most recent titled, "Migrations" in the year 2000. His studies have carried him to many countries across the world. In total, his travels have taken him to nearly 100 different countries in his pursuit to raise public awareness. He has won numerous awards for his work. This class will attempt to continue Salgado's mission, as every week we will blog another photo and allow the feeling and emotions of others to choose to act on them. Specifically, I chose this photo to introduce Salgado because it demonstrates both sides of the spectrum in those who are suffering and those who have so much. This is displayed by the striking contrasts seen in the living styles neighboring each other, on one hand you have the growing city, the other a poor stumbling "village." Truly this part of the vision Salgado wants us to see, not one of pity or guilt, but of, at least acknowlegment.

"Amazonas Images." about Sebastiao Salgado, Web. 12 January. 2009.
"UNICEF." Special Representative Sebastiao Salgado, Web. 12 January. 2009.

Salgado, Sebastiao. Photograph. Migrations: Humanity in Transition. Aperture. New York, 2000. 427

Assignment Self

Hey Guys!! This has nothing to do with hobbies or with explaining things about me. I posted it merely because I feel this is where my life is at this point. Everything points forward. The sun is shining in the distant, while the window blurs my vision just feet in front of me. I haven't been on a mission yet, or even chosen a major, but I have hope that all will work itself out in the future. Although I can't see what the bright future is, I am grateful to be here at BYU a great University. Some of my hobbies include: Basketball, baseball, football, vollyball, raquetball(pretty much any sport or anything to do with them) hiking, shooting, spending time with family, hanging with friends, singing, eating, and reading!