TravelCro

My Photo scholarship 2010 entry

Tanzania | Friday, October 8, 2010 | 5 photos

The most interesting place I have visited (earlier this year) was Tanzania. And it was pretty unplanned visit: i was asked to accompany two girls working for croatian organization that is helping several Tanzanian orphanages finding 'godfathers' for their orphans over in Croatia. The reason they invited me was my love for photography, and my previous journalistic experience, as they needed photographs of orphans for their croatian 'godfathers' who are paying for their scholarships, and also some video materials to help them raise more funds for kids in orphanages.

During our three week stay in Tanzania we visited three orphanages, traveled across entire country and witnessed real african way of life, got familiar with their customs, language and culture.

I learned lot about Tanzania, it's beautiful geography, and easy going people. But what struck me the most were the stories of little orphans. Most of their parents died of HIV, or malaria. Many of them were also infected from birth. They were being left alone by the roads, or brought to orphanages by strangers. Now they face severe struggle with life to get educated, and to become worthy citizens. My photos reflect that experience. Portrayed orphans are telling a story of african struggle with HIV and malaria.

ABOUT ME
My work experience in journalism brought me close to photography, but snapping photos never became to me something more than a hobby.

I never had time as much as I wanted to take more photos, but, what I think is more important, I really never had balls (or courage) to leave everything else and try to become a full time photographer.

Maybe a scholarship like this one would be right trigger to make me finally decide to go after my real love in life, and to live my dream ;)