Look at these two little girls. Look in their eyes. 

Do you think that they are less than any other child? That they deserve less than anyone else? That they somehow deserve to be living on a rubbish dump? That they they do not deserve a better future?

These are just four children out of the 500 or so living at the Roma settlement in Votanikos. These are some of the ones I met and spoke to (and photographed). I cannot descibe what they have done to me. Children have the ability to touch you in ways that you never expected. They were mostly shy of the camera and many did not want to be photographed in the beginning. I took a couple of group shots and then showed them the images. (Oh, the joys of digital) A few came forward and asked me to take pictures of them.

The boy above and I had a small exchange after I had taken one photo of him. He seemed quite angry that I was taking pictures of the other kids and kept telling me that that was enough. I told him it was OK I had a lot of space on my camera for everyone. Still, he insisted I stop, putting his hand in front of the lens. I kept saying it was fine. He went off in a bit of a mood and hovered on the outskirts, watching me. After taking a couple more pictures I turned to him and asked him directly if he wanted me to take another one of him. He immediately came over with his friend and posed for this shot. I just missed capturing the beam on his face (the woes of digital) but it was there… for a moment. 

A connection.

I don't know what this story means. Or what any of the things I have written about this community mean. I just wanted to share it. I think about these children everyday. They have smiled and frowned their way into my heart. 

I am going back tomorrow to deliver some much needed clothes and shoes. I hope I will see them all again.

The racism post is coming. I am just finding it hard to find the words…