Who is that boy?
Trip Start
May 25, 2005
1
101
283
Trip End
Ongoing
Pretoria,
South Africa
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Is he still alive?
Where was he living in Africa: the Sudan? Ethiopia perhaps?
Did he ever walk again?
Did he have the strength to stand?
Is that a smile on his face for the camera, or a grimace at the pain of his bones? His teeth seem to glisten. perhaps it is that they look so huge compared to his withered skin?
What was his number? The wristband was some form of identification I am sure? It looks so huge against his stick-like form.
Was it taken in a camp? Where had he travelled from? How far had he walked? Was he scared for his life?
Where are his family? Were they already dead?
When did he last eat? Can he even swallow properly? Did he make it?
Did the photographer take the shot and turn away? Or did they put down their camera and carry the boy to help?
When will life become fair?
What happened to that boy? Is he my age now, or is he the food of a tree somewhere in forgotten Africa?
Everytime I look at the photo my heart grows heavy in me.
Keep things in perspective Claire - you really don't need anything that you haven't already got. Hungry really isn't hungry when confronted with such dispair.
Isn't it time to do something? There really can't be anything as stupid as 'compassion fatigue', can there?
*****
What did you complain about today?
*****
ADBUSTERS - an issue in 2005
'Que te hace pensar que tiennes el derecho de conducir por alli envuelto en una tonelada de metal, el derecho de girar una llave y tener agua caliente, el derecho de tocar un interruptor y tener calor en tu casa?'
