I'm deviating from my normal theme this week. My post is in 2 parts.
Part 1: Taken at a playdate yesterday morning...
Wide eyes
Laughter in the ball pit
Little fist
Laughter
Part 2:
The rest of my Weekly Winners is dedicated to the people who have lost their lives, and the families that have been displaced in the Xenophobia attacks in my hometown this week.
I say hometown, because Johannesburg is my home and I am a South African citizen, but actually, I'm also an immigrant. I was born in Zimbabwe.
I took these photos yesterday morning on the way home from the playdate. I chose these hawkers as my subjects because the majority, if not all of them are immigrants. They're spending their days trying to eek out a meagre wage selling things on the streets, and then spending their nights at the moment either scared in their homes or in tents at the police stations that are sheltering many of them at the moment.
There were a lot less street sellers around yesterday than there normally are.
I was chatting to my brother, who works as a paramedic on the East Rand, and he was saying that last weekend at the one police station there were 3000 people trying to find shelter.
This situation is heartbreaking.
Sidewalk art
Selling a t-shirt
Doing braids under a tree
Selling grass
Waiting for passengers
So, think of them tonight especially. It's been raining today and very cold, and tonight the weather is particularly freezing.One of the ladies on a mother's forum I'm a member of wrote this yesterday...
" DH called me from the station this morning, he says he cant believe how many people are there seeking refuge. He said there were 6 month old babies on pieces of cardboard out in the courtyard. Its freezing!"
Check out Lotus' blog for more Weekly Winners, or to join in ;)
11 comments:
That is heartbreaking. I can't imagine being a mom in that situation.
The ball pit picture is really sweet.
It is so sad. I was watching Carte Blanche this evening but I had to turn it off - it's not right and I really feel for the immigrants :(
Your pictures are all truly beautiful, and my heart breaks that there is still so much sadness and hardship and unfairness and pain in the world. Knowing that there are people who take the time to notice and care like you do means there is still hope.
Oh My Gosh, that is terribly heartbreaking. It's sobering how much suffering there is in this world. :(
And, in stark contrast you have presented the beauty, the innocence, the purity of our world. The things that keep us striving for more...our children, our future, our hope.
Thank You, Dear Jenty.
Thanks for sharing, this was very moving.
Thanks for sharing these moving photos.
I love all your photos! im adding you 2 my blog roll :-)
beautiful as always!
it still feels totally surreal that xenophobia is going on around us, here in our country.
Beautiful play dates and aren't we blessed beyond measure.
So heartbreaking to hear of the homeless and immigrants
I can't imagine how a parent could cope with such situations.Thank you for sharing and reminding me how blessed I am.
My Little Drummer boys
Oh, that is heartbreaking! :(
They are certainly in my thoughts. It breaks my heart to hear and see this. Your photos captured this well.
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