An African boy looks up at the camera.
His father is disabled and he’s playing with his father’s crutches.
The family live on a $1 a day and these crutches are the only ‘toys’ the boy has to play with.
For this week’s WordPress photo challenge on the theme of ‘Up’, I’m wondering what is uppermost in this boy’s mind at the moment I took the photograph.
Michele D'Acosta 
I feel like he’s looking right at me and it’s making me feel so helpless 😦 Deeply touching…
Thank you so much for your poignant response. I think he’s looking at us and wondering why we can see him, but at the same time he’s invisible. Have a wonderful day. Michele
my favourite photo so far.
Thank you — I’m touched that this photo moved you in some way.
We sometimes loose a sense of the struggles that other people are going through. Your photo brings it home again. Thanks for visiting and the like of my Weekly Photo Challenge post representing Up.
I agree. We often feel that the problems are too big and we are too small… so thank you for your generous appreciation of this photo. I love your interpretation of the ‘Up’ theme. You’ve captured a moment that helps me to ascend to higher ground.
I think it shows that we still have a long way to go. If only human kindness could get an UPgrade every year then hopefully we would see photos of smiling faces looking forward to a life of wonder:)
Thanks for your great comment. I love what you said about humankind getting an ‘UPgrade’ every year.
Hard to know what to say. Some things are just so sad. What can people do to help?
I am in contact with this family and there are many ways to get involved… including raising awareness on your blog and social networks; fundraising, and donating your peace-related artwork to our annual Peace Project art competition and touring exhibit. For more information visit http://www.thepeaceproject.com which is a tiny organization that I work with on peace and humanitarian projects. Thank you for caring.
I see a lot of trust in his eyes. Very poignant take on “UP”
Marie, bless you. I spent some time with the boy’s family and am working on a way to help them on a long-term basis.
As I mentioned last time, that simple gift (or “toy”) is a not-so-small miracle.
janet
We are into posting both pictures of toes and promoting good causes so we would love to post this and your words as well as link to the The Peace Project. All if you do not mind of course. Where in Africa is this? http://toemail.wordpress.com
Aha… you’re right! Thanks for your great comment. I took the photograph in Freetown, Sierra Leone, West Africa, and I’d love you to post the Challenge Up piece about the African boy with a link to The Peace Project. http://www.thepeaceproject.com
You’re doing such wonderful work promoting good causes — and, of course, keep those toe pictures coming. I will too…!
It’s posted now. Thanks so much, we really appreciate it! 🙂
Many blessings and much peace to you. In gratitude. Michele
What thought and care you’ve put into this photo contest.
Fantastic Michelle.
I entered for the first time this week but mine doesn’t compare, not even close.
Warmest regards,
Jennifer
Jennifer, thank you for your incredible support. That photo means so much to me. We each have our unique ways to tell our stories and yours are beautifully crafted and your talent shines through. I love following you. Peace and be blessed. Michele
Fantastic photo Michele. Wow what a beautiful person you are! Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and liking what I do, it is deeply appreciated.
Ishaiya
Ishaiya, I am so grateful for your appreciation. Your blog is beautiful and reflects so much of what I feel and who I aspire to be. Great to meet you here and I look forward to following your journey. Peace and blessings, Michele
Thank you that really means a lot x Peace and blessings to you too, Ishaiya
You’re most welcome. Hope you’re having an amazing day. Michele
I have met and spoken to some amazing people today with wonderful stories to tell, thank you for being part of that experience today. I hope you have had an equally amazing day. Ishaiya
Thank you, yes, my heart is opening to a new spectrum! I’m reading the posts on your ‘Daily Channel’ as we speak 🙂
I agree with all the comments that say that this is just an amazing and touching photo. Also, what an ingenious and unique perspective on the word ‘up’. Blessings to the little boy and his family. PEACE-
Your blessings and peace are deeply appreciated. I feel deeply touched that this photograph moved you in such a way to say the words that you said. Thank you for caring.
Thank you for this photo, Michele…I can’t stop looking at the little boy’s eyes. Thank you for bringing me to this very humble place. You are doing great work.
I really appreciate your like and the follow of my little blog. Fran
Fran, you’re welcome. So appreciate your kind words. You’re doing amazing work and I look forward to following you as your journey unfolds. Peace and be very blessed. Michele
The boy’s eyes are saying so many things.Great picture.Thank you Michele for liking my post ( Best version….) .all the best.jalal
Moving photo. Thank you for challenging us to look up and out instead of down and in.
great photo, Michele, in serving as a reminder of how very much we need to uplift one another as brothers & sisters in this world
Amazing shot!
Shameful! Shameful what Africa has done to herself… not the the west is guiltless! I so wish we don’t have to see images like this… I so wish that mankind can care better for itself… and the planet! Dare to dream? Yes!
The photo tells the story. It is so sad, so sweet…and so true. Thank you…
Very powerful and moving. Thanx for sharing.
Yes, this is Africa – I’ve spent quite a long time there. Good picture. Adrian
Reminds me of the children on my Mother-in-Law’s farm in Zimbabwe. They would always find things to amuse themselves whilst their parents worked. No computers or television to get in the way of learning by role-play. It was a harsh life for the children and adults alike even on a well run farm 😦
He is thinking, “Help me Daddy, Help me Daddy, Help me Daddy, Help me Daddy, Help me Daddy, Help me Daddy, Help me Daddy, help my Daddy…
This is very touching. If all of us had it in our hearts to take charity more seriously I believe we would encounter less of those sad eyes.
This reminds me of a story of Umar ibn Abdulaziz (a muslim Umayyad caliph) who ruled for a while. He abolished taxes and distributed the wealth with justice. He organized the collection and distribution of Zakat(taxes) so well that there was a time when no one came to ask for it, and the Zakat distributors could not find
anybody to take it, he then said “feed the birds with the remaining money” because all the matters that contributed to the development of the nation was already taken care of (including education).
Contemplating through that story makes me feel frustrated, it only proves that to find a ruler with a heart still beating is rare nowadays.
But who am I to judge? Maybe poverty is a much more complicated issue than that …
I enjoyed to have encountered your blog, and I apologize for blabbering. 🙂
I can’t add anything to what others have said about what he might be thinking. My thought is, ‘Will he live long enough to grow taller than those crutches, and can I make a difference?’ Thank you for stopping by my blog and giving me a chance to find yours.
Sometimes a picture says a thousand words
Your question is “what’s he thinking about?” and truly, because he’s never known any other way of life, he doesn’t view his outlook as poor or pitiful, it is what it is. It is the life he knows, his parents know, tho it is to be dearly hoped not one that his children know. So likely, he’s intrigued by *your* toy (your camera) and he wants to try it out. He’s a human male – born w a need to figure out how things work 😉
Do love your pix, your perspectives are (can’t think of a good word but thought provoking, different, not the usual face on).
It saddens me that this boy and his father are struggling. But I am inspired that you are documenting their condition and blogging to inspire social change. Keep up your great work!
Poignant photo. 🙂
You have beautiful photos, this one touches my heart 😦
All I’ve ever wanted to do is help those that have to suffer their life away. I will one day when I have the courage to do so!
We need more awareness advertised rather than the latest technology!
What a evil world we live in hey!
Great photos keep it up! & thanks for following 🙂 Stay in touch 🙂
amazing picture, a poem without words,
a child without a toy is like,
the morning without birds.
You are so talented, Michele. You have clearly experienced some extremes of human triumph and tragedy, turning it in to art of the highest standard; a true inspiration. this picture is a testament to the power of a child’s imagination, the ability to make play of anything, anywhere. I also find it a stark reminder that one is much better off than one thought, perhaps we could all learn to put our troubles in to context. Thank you for sharing this, pal. *hugs* Baldy 🙂
Blacktastic
Cool word, my new friend 🙂
I use it quite a bit thankz.
I just started following your blog. You. Are. A. Breath. Of. Real. Air. Thank. You.
Asante sana. I have a love 4 my people 1st and respect and love all people no matter what race or colour. Thankz 4 following me, it iz not 4 everyone it iz 4 tha real.
A very touching photo. It really moves you.