children of hope........three sisters

A trio of beauties....Daniela's sisters....Eva,Olivia, and Isabel. Where are they marching barefoot to this Saturday afternoon? Taking lunch to their father who is at work as a security guard at the local school. Eva is looking a little suspicious of my motives, huh? :))) It is not unusual, in the barrio, to see the girl children wearing beautiful dresses fit for a birthday party, like this white eyelet cotton one Eva is wearing. Can only assume they are donated as I'm sure the miniscule income families are surviving on must preclude the purchase of such fine wear. I have one delightful photo of Eva in the doorway of her home wearing what looks like a ballerina's tu tu! Isabel, most of all, loves to pose for the camera. Am happy to say that Empowerment International has found a sponsor for each of these little girls. $100 a year brings tangilble support for the family and hope for the girls' future.

Empowerment International
Kathy Adams

Kathy is requesting input re : selection of photos the children took in the photography programme to be included in the December exhibition in San Juan del Sur. If you have time please take a look here & give a thumbs up to the ones you think should be included,
_________________

Hi, everyone! Thank you all for your phenomenal support of this project to date. You have been more than generous. I dedicate today's post to my dear friend Julio (risquillo) with many thanks for his very kind testimonial. He's an awesome photographer. I have learned much about portraiture from Julio. He's a master.. A sublime example of his work here
_______________________

explore 47

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Comments

ana_lee_smith says:

destination............the school where their father works..........waiting for the gate to be opened

Isabel.........the youngest, is outgoing & confident

Olivia......seems serious, taking the second oldest girl's role of responsibility perhaps.

Eva.......though a little shy & self-conscious, is poised & graceful.

Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

Enorasis [deleted] says:

It's not only your pictures.... it is what you write and the way you write it. Everything filled with love for these children. All of them adorable. It is obvious you developed a realationship of trust and affection with them. Not very easy huh? To me Ana, this is the highest level of Art. The Art to communicate. And you have it . These pictures of the children talk volumes not only about them but about you as well. I can see your own eyes through their eyes. Congrats my dear. I love your work, I love those children, I do love you.-
BTW Olivia has the most melancholy eyes I have ever seen...
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

nature photographer. says:

Very beautiful capture and great series!! Very well done dear my friend..!!
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

c_vivi says:

Beautiful serie, Ann!!!! Congrats , for excellent shots of children!!!
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

Lorenzo Salas says:

¡Vaya trío! ¿Adónde van tan contentas?
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

ana_lee_smith says:

Thank you, dear Ily, fikri, vio and l-sm, for your incredibly fast response :)))
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

*hb19 says:

What a gorgeous capture Ana.....I instantly was attracted to the fact that all three faces are grouped together in the image.....a wonderful trio....

I also love the rest of your series here.....and the information makes for a complete posting.....enjoy your day my friend.....I'm having a new internet service installed & will soon have to sign off for the day...:))
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

fiammetta53 says:

Adorable sisters!
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

sonsation says:

These portraits so aptly and beautifully express the emotion and circumstance of these lovely girls. It's incredible that it really only takes less than $1.00 per day to care for a family. The reality is that if we all did our part, we could wipe out poverty. Yet here we are ...
Beautiful work, Ana!
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

zoom in tight says:

All of this pictures in this sisters series are fabulous. I do love the bare feet walking in unison, and the face of the skeptic! Your photos are fabulous, as I have said, and many kudos for describing this project so well.
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

mimicapecod says:

Your journalism and your photos are suberb. Keep up the wonderful work you are doing for others in need. Great job!
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

suraark says:

Beautifully captured.
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

kretyen says:

Marching in step!

tres hermanas

Beautiful--and full of hope.

--
Seen in my contacts' photos. (?)
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

~Kim's Picture Gallery~ says:

They are so very cute my friend! Great story too! Have a great afternoon! Hugs!!!
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

Steve-h - away until Jan 31st says:

another lovely collection , Ana !
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

Ken Lewis - says:

wonderful portraits
of grace and beauty
of childhood tales
told in the emotions
lovingly reflected
in the light of their eyes

I recall the days
when I saw the world
through the hungry eyes of a child
discovering life
in all its corners
and I lived a lifetime
in every precious moment
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

uteart says:

what a fabulous capture Ana, plus such a super series, Olivia's portrait is awesome! I will gladly look at the link you left us!!
glad to see you, was wondering how how you are adjusting back to Toronto life and cold temperatures (((:
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

Ken Lewis - says:

Truly fine work Ana - so much to think about while looking at these portraits from a reality so different from what we see here every day. Thank You
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

TONI BARABINO says:

I congratulate you once again, ana, for the good work you do
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

snowinglightly says:

Such wonderful portraits, both those showing the three sisters together and the separate ones of their faces. Each personality clearly shines through.
I hope the father is so proud of these daughters who bring him his lunch every day at work! (Did I read on a previous post that he is actually the stepfather?)
You are able, like no one else, to show these children in such a way that you make them a part of all our hearts.
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

MayJ says:

Fabulous images dear Ana! Such beautiful girls and Olivia, like her older sister, seems so much more mature beyond her years.
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

childofGOD / Beckie says:

We can't begin to imagine what their lives would be like, Ana, but you bring them to life for us in your own impeccable style. Beautifully done, as always!!!!

--
Seen in my contacts' photos. (?)
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

canmom ( very busy ) says:

such lovely faces of youth and these will be the leaders of tommorrow...
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

allr1 says:

Remarkable presentation of these young and beautiful children.
You give them wings, Ana, you really do. Very moving and genuine.
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

Eduardo Amorim says:

So sweet, dear Ana : )
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

Lees2dent says:

Wow! wow! wow! They're gorgeous for sure . . .
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

Poe ♪ says:

what beautiful children.
great shots.
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

mariaugusta says:

Sisters of Daniela?

The little one is so beautiful, Ana...

And where are the shoes?? ;-(
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

mariaugusta says:

so importatnt your work, my dear queen.. Queen of "Solidariedade"!

;-)
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

uteart says:

congrats Ana for your fabulous shot, seen in explore #108
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

natural.1 (See You In 2010) says:

Oh Ana you have transported me to this dusty path as I follow these "Little Women" in their everyday life enduring hardships as they draw upon one another for strength and friendship. Although they resemble each other they have their own different personalities and they share a sisterly bond. Beautifully captured my dear friend, congratulations on Explore so well deserved!!! Big Hug xoxo
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

southwest girl says:

Well Ana, what can I possibly add that has not been said....a gorgeous series of shots. I love the close up all the girls, but the three of them walking barefoot in their dresses just tugs at the heart strings. I love that they are all together and the way you captured the various looks on their faces - just priceless. Mostly the way you tell a story, you just know how. One of my most favorite things of the Native Americans in the States is statues of Storytellers; they are maternal and strong and generally have little children all around them...you are a storyteller Ana. Bravo
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

ilsebatten says:

I have been sitting here looking at these images for a while now Ana. And each one touches me so profoundly. I love all of them, you are a master craftswoman. When I saw the top picture all I could think was 'three little women', all decked out so beautifully, each with such a different expression on her face. Eva wants to know what you are up to, a little imp with an opinion of her own. Isabel has such an open and trusting look on her face and Olivia already has responsibility written all over her with the look of a dreamer in her eyes. You have done a very fine job on these Ana.
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

jotKa26℠ says:

it's obviously, 2 of them are flirting with the camera...the other one is like me...a bit camera shy...
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

canmom ( very busy ) says:

congrats on Explore...seen here;

www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/2008/10/30 /page18/
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

Steve-h - away until Jan 31st says:

#177 !!
Congrats, Ana. Well deserved.
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

atranswe says:

Wonderful portraits Ana - The girls are lovely - and how sad for children
to have livingconditions like this, we really should be more thankful for
our advantages in our daly life. Thank you for letting us see the brilliant
work you have done with the camer.
Congratulations - I saw your lovely girl in Explore.
Have a wonderful day and Happy Halloween Ana, :-))

A Big Fave
You are invited to add this image to www.flickr.com/groups/bigfave
Please tag this photo with ABigFave when you add it to the pool.
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

Tulay Emekli (too busy teaching and translating) says:

How late this time !!!! How late !!!!!!!!
So sorry Ana... When I returned from my evening classes,I sat here but two minutes later the lights fused..then my PC did not work..Afsar was sleeping so I had to wait for him to get up and get things right ... I'm really so sorry Ana !
First,I'd like to congratulate you on this stunning capture,which made me feel as if I'm looking right into their eyes and walking side by side ...Couldn't be any more natural than this ...All these shots... great photographic value as well as great natural atmosphere ... No photoshop I believe ! How can you do this Ana,my gili gili ?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's your warm heart that does this!!! Talent comes after that ... Without that heart ....impossible my dear ....impossible whatever your talents are !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love all these beautiful girls.. And those bare feet !!!!!!! And those natural direct looks !!!!! Tu tu tu to all of them... Funny ,I didn't know you use that expression...Just as we do here ...LOL! They open their heart to you so poetically ...You have a magic touch with them..and we have magical moments when we admire your incredible moments of interaction with these fantastic children !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

Steve-h - away until Jan 31st says:

#142 now !
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

bussabar... says:

Ana you are so lucky to be there
I love expression of them. What a great catch ! Pure beauty. Well done my dearest. Have a nice day.
Miss you. X xxxooo.
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

Cornelia Schroeder says:

Ana, you are so special with your engagement and your images are telling more than words, thank you so much again for sharing!
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

Denis Collette...!!! says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called All memories welcome, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

A toast for your fabulous vision…!!!
#128 on Explore... wowwwww...!!!
Champagne... peanuts... ice cream... chocolate...pop corn...!!!

Congratulations! Félicitation! Felicitazione! Felicidades! Felicitats! Glückwunsch! تهنئة 恭喜 Felicitação! Čestitke! Blahopřání! Gratulation! Felicitatie! Õnnitlus! Onnittelu! Συγχαρητήρια! כל הכבוד! Gratulálok! مبارکPowinszowanie! Felicitação! Честитке! Lyckönskningar! Поздравляю! Tebrikler! Поздравления! تبریک おめでとう Til lukku or til hamingju! GEFELICITEERD! Parabéns! Gourc'hemennoù! 축하합니다!
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

jaciii (off&on) says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Stunning Photos-2, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

Tulay Emekli (too busy teaching and translating) says:

Still on Explore my gili gili..Page 26... They are likely to come out of the page :)
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

(: Petra :) says:

Yes, three sweeties.
Love this series, the amazing meaning...your work.
Happy weekend my very dear friend.
I am not making normal comments on flickr today.
Just came to say hello...and see you soon.
:))
hugs to you
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

Kevin45 says:

Congratulations on getting this great capture into Explore. It is still # 256 this morning 1st November.
A truely beautiful series of photographs, Ana.
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

jaciii (off&on) says:

# 181 Explore Congratulations Wow
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

ninayak --- Busy (On and Off Flickr) says:

They are so adorable Ana
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

thomyneel (Pierre -Thomas) says:

fabulous capture Ana, you have captured them at the right time
they are adorable
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

atranswe says:

Thank you for the comments and good luck with the DSRL - I am sure
you will master it in no time - and with your sons help you will surely
take beautiful photos with it. What kind is it?

Happy Halloween and a lovely weekend. / Ulla
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

mezarc da diva greets you Happy 2010! says:

hey dearie! thanks for the visit and the lovely comment! sorry i wasn't able to comment on this one last night - it was 4:30-ish in the morning and i was ready to doze off. hope you are having a wonderful weekend.

daniela's sisters are all lovely. i can readily tell that they are sisters based on their faces but man, i can tell how mature daniela is, like she's older than her age - i could just assume because of the responsibility of being the "parent" to her 3 other sisters. do any of them go to schools? i think it'd be heartbreaking to think that the only reason they go there is to bring food to their father.

looking at the girls' individual photos, there's a level of depth that you can see from their eyes. i especially like eva's picture - i feel a sense of contentment in her facial expression. i wish for them to ask God for a miracle because God gives when one asks.

btw have i greeted you a happy hallowe'en? well anyways, happy hallowe'en to you and your loved ones!
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

ana_lee_smith says:

They are all in school, mezarc. Daniela, Eva, Olivia, Isabel, and their 2 brothers. That is the primary function of Kathy's education programme at Empowerment International in Nicaragua.....get the kids into school and do everything possible to keep them there. Any & all costs, uniform, school supplies etc, none of which the parents can afford, are covered by EI to facilitate that. It is a non-profit organization that relies on donations & sponsorship to function. The day the pic was taken, as the girls were taking lunch to their father, was a Saturday. Sorry, realise if you weren't here at the beginning of my posts, as you were not, that may not be clear. Will clarify with each post now. Thank you for your thoughtful response, mezarc.

And many thanks to each one of you for your in-depth heart-warming responses. I'm sure the children would also thank you if they could. Have a great weekend, everyone.
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

pavilioners says:

beautiful collection Ana....
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

ana_lee_smith says:

Hello, Shafie! Long time no see :)) Wonderful to see you. Thanks & hope all is well with you.
Shafie (pavilioners) was my first contact on flickr, folks. But he's been hiding out lately :)))
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

Sir Cam says:

cute: all of them:-))
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

risquillo says:

Gracias Ana por este tributo!!!!!!!
Me he quedado con la boca abierta por tu generosidad, eres sensacional amiga. Un ser humano IRREPETIBLE!
Abrazos y besos donde quiera que estés.
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

mariaugusta says:

i love you too! oh yes
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

mezarc da diva greets you Happy 2010! says:

oh, good to know they're attending school. i must say, the stories are all touching so you may expect questions from time to time he he! hope u r enjoying ur sunday, dearie! :-)
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

ilsebatten says:

Am sneaking in in disguise to say happy SUnday morning to you darling. Have sewn two pairs of shorts and one dress, have the horrible feeling it is too small already. Lots of love
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

Piax says:

so cute!!!
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

ckm2005 (be back) says:

such stunning expressions....!!!! you must be giving these kids lots of hope to pose for you!!!!absolutely lovely collections..
big hug , friend
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

Tulay Emekli (too busy teaching and translating) says:

Just dropped by to be warmed up a bit ...Get my energy from here :)
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

Tulay Emekli (too busy teaching and translating) says:

:-))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

churchillcarling says:

Wonderful photos and lovely names.
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

*hb19 says:

:-))

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Bella's Rainbow Colors (Invitation Only), and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

*hb19 says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Ava's Love of the Light (Invitation Only), and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

europeanasian says:

wonderful!
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

Pix Elate says:

Wow ...this photo says everything with the "ellegant" dresses to the bare feet. Your words that accompany the photo tell the whole story in a way that one can almost feel the poverty. Nicely done :)
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

FotosdeManuela says:

Beautiful image
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

Mendhak says:

Wonderful.
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

Cjasar says:

Wonderful photo, congratulations.
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

oohed and ahedduck [deleted] says:

I just kept scrolling back up and looking again and again, MY Ana. The individual portraits of these girls tear at my heart. You capture something that I don't know how to express in words. I feel heartbroken and a sense of hope at the same time. That's what I feel.
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

photo.monkey says:

such a wonderful shot.... i am going to check your website RIGHT NOW!!!

FFP Award
You are my favorite,please add this great 5+ fav photo to
Flickr Favorite Photographers(5+ fav/comment 3/invite 2)
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

*hb19 says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called 30 faves, 30 comments and 300 views, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

Hi Ana.....looking at the this beauties again.....
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

!!WaynePhotoGuy says:

Joy even in poverty... amazing..

Fine work Ana Lee..

Thank you for your kindness..
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

krisdecurtis says:

Wake up! Wake up! .... hehehehh!

I am awake Ana, and you?
here in Italy are 6:00 AM .. in your country is night.
You still wake up?

Thank you Ana for your splendid comments!!!

Good night and Golden dreams, my darling!

Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

Ronaldo F Cabuhat says:

They're not even wearing shoes?!
But look at the joy of those kids.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

Alberto Robaleiro says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called VIVER DESCALÇO, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

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children of hope........three sisters

Comments

ana_lee_smith says:

Enorasis [deleted] says:

nature photographer. says:

c_vivi says:

Lorenzo Salas says:

ana_lee_smith says:

*hb19 says:

fiammetta53 says:

sonsation says:

zoom in tight says:

mimicapecod says:

suraark says:

kretyen says:

~Kim's Picture Gallery~ says:

Steve-h - away until Jan 31st says:

Ken Lewis - says:

uteart says:

Ken Lewis - says:

TONI BARABINO says:

snowinglightly says:

MayJ says:

childofGOD / Beckie says:

canmom ( very busy ) says:

allr1 says:

Eduardo Amorim says:

Lees2dent says:

Poe ♪ says:

mariaugusta says:

mariaugusta says:

uteart says:

natural.1 (See You In 2010) says:

southwest girl says:

ilsebatten says:

jotKa26℠ says:

canmom ( very busy ) says:

Steve-h - away until Jan 31st says:

atranswe says:

Tulay Emekli (too busy teaching and translating) says:

Steve-h - away until Jan 31st says:

bussabar... says:

Cornelia Schroeder says:

Denis Collette...!!! says:

jaciii (off&on) says:

Tulay Emekli (too busy teaching and translating) says:

(: Petra :) says:

*Kevin45* says:

jaciii (off&on) says:

ninayak --- Busy (On and Off Flickr) says:

thomyneel (Pierre -Thomas) says:

atranswe says:

mezarc da diva greets you Happy 2010! says:

ana_lee_smith says:

pavilioners says:

ana_lee_smith says:

Sir Cam says:

risquillo says:

mariaugusta says:

mezarc da diva greets you Happy 2010! says:

ilsebatten says:

Piax says:

ckm2005 (be back) says:

Tulay Emekli (too busy teaching and translating) says:

Tulay Emekli (too busy teaching and translating) says:

churchillcarling says:

*hb19 says:

*hb19 says:

europeanasian says:

Pix Elate says:

FotosdeManuela says:

Mendhak says:

Cjasar says:

oohed and ahedduck [deleted] says:

photo.monkey says:

*hb19 says:

!!WaynePhotoGuy says:

krisdecurtis says:

Ronaldo F Cabuhat says:

Alberto Robaleiro says:

Kevin45 says: