Small Island - Big Find

My Photo scholarship 2011 entry

Sierra Leone | Tuesday, October 25, 2011 | 5 photos

The pictures of the women in Sierra Leone show what a pround nation it is. The women invited me into their homes and I witnessed the importance of their role in the community. While travelling through the country I met a lot of them. Each one has their story, growing up in difficult circumstances, being poor but they all shared the same strength, hospitality and sense of fun. The women work hard, live for their family, providing them with whatever they can. Most of them, due to the civil war, never had the chance of education. Half as many females are literate as men, increasing their reliance on them, only one in five girls finishes secondary school. Statistics for death during pregnany or child birth are amongst the worst in the world.

I can say without a doubt that my time there was one of the most remarkable I’ve had while travelling. My desire at first in applying for this scholarship is that the world needs to know the real Sierra Leone, the country it is now, which is so much more then child soldiers, blood diamonds and amputee football teams. I would love to play a little part in telling that story. Secondly I I hope to gain skills through that scholarship which will improve my ability to take photos in many different environments. There are many stories, cultures and individuals, all worth being documented and I believe with my curious and open personality I can help others gaining an insight into some of them. Going to South Africa would be a great opportunity and might be the start of many stories to follow.