Photo Album 2 ~Haitian Children
These photos are small, as are their subjects, but they illustrate the great need for justice, not charity.
(See About Sharon Gaskell for more details.) Note: Fall/Winter 2008-9 Funds needed to pay tuition for students in Haiti. See Updates from Haiti Starthrower blog
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Michelline
Sadly, little Michelline succumbed to the effects of AIDS and dry malnutrition (marasmus) before her second birthday.
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Ludie
Ludie was 3 1/2 years old when this photo was taken, and showed the effects of 'dry' malnutition (marasmus), tuberculosis, a secondary skin infection and parasites in her left eye. Muscles wither from this condition making it necessary to retrain them to walk, speak etc. Starthrower currently sponsors several high school students who wish to enter the medical field -- three of them want to be doctors and five want to enter the nursing profession.
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Tamara
Shortly after this photo was taken, Tamara died from the effects of AIDS and dry malnutrition (marasmus).
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Djohn
This youngster has 'Kwashiorkor', commonly known as 'wet' malnutrition, where fluids migrate to the skin due to a lack of protein in the diet, causing the skin to swell and burst. Open sores then infect quickly due to the constant discharge. Hunger hurts.
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Wildrin
This young fellow, shown here when he was 9 years old, shows the stunted growth typical of malnutrition; however, dental growth is not stunted. He is a very bright young lad and sponsorship was arranged for him to attend school.
Because of the brain damage caused by malnutrition, he has been unable to learn in the traditional classroom setting. This happens to many who survive a lifetime of hunger. Malnutrition is a holistic condition, destroying body, mind and spirit.
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Wilnise
Wilnise, bottom right, was 5 years old when this photo was taken, his body showing the distortion from tuberculosis of the spine, which crushes the heart and lungs. An inexpensive antibiotic could have changed his life. Many children in Haiti suffer from similarly treatable conditions.
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Sen Rafayel Market
At Sen Rafayel, buyers and sellers trade in the shade. Women sit for 10-12 hours a day in the extreme heat peeling citrons. The peels are then dried and sold to European buyers for making perfume or flavouring liqueuers. The wage: 1 penny per pound. Justice calls for fair wage.
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auto maker
Generally, in Haiti, if you want a toy, you make it yourself, as did this enterprising boy who built this toy car, foreground. Despite the creativity, he is one of thousands in the country who will never have the opportunity to go to school as education is NOT available to all, and available only for a price.
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