The Girls -  full of life, full of love

It was during the fall of 2013 that I learned about a school in Decatur, GA, just one town over from where I live that provides education to refugee girls age 11-18 .   It's called the Global Village Project (GVP). http://globalvillageproject.org/.  The girls who attend GVP previously lived in refugee camps in some of the most desperate, war torn areas on this earth. 
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1776326/

Through the help of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) http://www.rescue.org/ the girls and their families make their way to the US and begin a new life

On day one the girls cannot speak a lick of English.  Upon graduation they go on to receive a GED degree, submission to college or join the work force. These girls are taught to be empowered, educated young ladies who grow in leaps and bounds right before your eyes into empowered young women. 

It was during the Decatur book festival that one of the GVP teachers purchased a copy of my book, The Women of Southeast Asia. Our connection and desire to help girls grow into empowered woman was instantly obvious to both of us. Almost immediately a new friendship and partnership was born.  

Shortly thereafter I was invited to give a slide show of my photographs depicting women from my travels.  The teacher, Daphe Hall told me that the girls would most likely be shy and demure.  Well 1 hr. was hardly enough and they were anything but shy.  They were full of love and laughter, raising their hands 5 at a time, edging each other out to ask questions, and share experiences and knowledge from "their country........"  Their energy was huge.  I instantly fell in love and knew I wanted to spend time with and help these girls.  

And so a photography program at GVP was born.  Our first session began in January 2014.

Carpe Diem, 
Lorrie
www.LorrieDallekPhotography.com

“Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow”, Mekong River, Laos

   

I had left Luang Prabang, early one morning and traveled up the Mekong River a few miles with the intention of visiting several local villages and temples.  You could always tell where a village is located by the long set of very steep steps leading up and a lush perfectly groomed garden at the shoreline, beside the steps.   As I disembarked on the opposite shore, the mist was rising from the night before, all was peaceful and the light was beautiful. 

This local woman had come down from her village to start her day.  She was untying her boat from the mooring made of natural material, a few branches of bamboo.  What a simple yet effective way to secure one’s boat.  I can only image that one of her elders taught her how to secure her boat using the bamboo and her children will do the same.  Traditions passed on from generation to generation, “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.” 

Carpe Diem,

Lorrie

www.LorrieDallekPhotography.com

“Sacred Light”, Luang Prabang, Laos

   

In this ancient Laotian Buddhist Temple, Wat Wisunalat I was surrounded by history.  While this is a functioning temple, a huge number of spectacular artifacts are on display.  I was drawn to a large collection of Buddha’s Lined up on the left side of the Wat in front of the window.  

At first, it is the repetition of their shape and the vertical line they create that calls me over to them.  In actuality there was more to it.  They have an aura about them.  Their essence is further heightened by the strong light that is behind them.  This light reflects off the gold leaf on their bodies bringing them to life.  I capture the image.  Later I learn that these Buddha’s are “Calling for Rain” Mudra Buddha’s.  There was certainly no rain on that particular day, but rather “Sacred Light” emblazoning these sacred figures.

Carpe Diem,

Lorrie

www.LorrieDallekPhotography.com

Private Space

I visited Shwedagon no less than four time, during my stay in Yangoon, Myanmar. This paya is described as heart stopping and indeed it is.  The colors, the way the sun reflects off the gold gilded monuments, the lighted candles, people coming to pray stays with you forever.

This older monk had noticed me photographing at the paya previous mornings.  He stopped and pleasantly made mention.  Later in the week I happened to see him alone meditating off to the side before one of the smaller shrines where there wasn't any foot traffic.  Leaning against this gilded ornate pole I felt as though he had gone off to his own private space.  For me, time had stopped for a moment as I stepped into his world.  I love the feeling of stillness this image communicates.

Carpe Diem,

Lorrie

www.LorrieDallekPhotography.com

Street Photography - Universal

Women Gossiping, Taroudant, Morocco

This collection of images were taken in many small towns and niches in different corners of the world.  While the subjects are seemingly different based on outward appearance one is reminded time and again that we are all the same.  Regardless of the locale, I meet every day people, leading every day lives with similar desires.  The settings are honest and so are their emotions.  It is for these reasons I am continually drawn back to the streets looking to capture extraordinary moments in ordinary life.

Boatman, Hoi An Vietnam

Shan Tea Workers, Hsipaw Myanmar

Buddhist Practitioner, Dege Tibet

Fish Seller Napping, Hoi An Vietnam

Men Socializing, Labrang Township, Tibet

Dumpling Seller, Dali China

Car Crazy  in Cuba

I am not especially a car person.  For me, a car takes me from location to the next.  Yet, after entering Cuba I was just mesmerized by their old cars and spent a lot of time photographing the people and their relationship with their cars.

Without getting to far into their history, Cuba was once a playground for the rich and famous of the USA and Europe. It was embargoed by the US in 1960 after the ouster of Batista and the subsequent nationalization of properties of United States citizens and corporations. 

What ensued was internally and  externally imposed isolation and the resultant creation of an anachronism.  Frozen in time, the warm and gracious people of Cuba became very ingenious at using what they had.  As for their cars; they became a great source of pride which turned each owner into master mechanic.  Rube Goldberg, shoe string and bubble gum, parts borrowed and adapted and a lot of spit and polish keeps their 1940-1950's American and Russian cars operating and on the road. 

Take a look, it was not an occasional old car but probably 90% of them were old.

Equally interesting was how their cars serve many purposes:

As a taxi for transporting people

As a novelty to be rented by a tourist for a handsome fee

For delivering a butchered 

animal to the local market

Turn a street corner and there is another man under the body or hood of his car fixing it. 

and if you don't own a car yet you sure as heck want to.

Carpe Diem,

Lorrie

www.LorrieDallekPhotography.com

Le Journal de la Photographie, 

21.05.2013

http://lejournaldelaphotographie.com/archives/by_date/2013-05-21/11387/south-southeast-photomagazine

Daily News" Taroudant, Morocco 

I had spent 3 weeks chasing after the Moroccan woman to photograph them.  Other than a single Berber woman, they would have no part of me.  Their culture dictates that they do not want their photograph taken.  Seemingly defeated I wandered about the town of Taroudant capturing a bit of the architecture and the local children on their way off to school.  A cup of coffee is in order.  I sat at a café just outside of the Bab al-Kasbah  and watched life go by.  As I am about to leave I notice a small group of Roudani woman dressed in their colorful haiks seated on the curb gossiping.  I learn that they meet here every day to catch up on their daily lives.  The oldest form of communication – verbal story telling.  

What do you think they are talking about?   

I am delighted – an entire photo story in one image.  I capture this image & title it “Daily News.”

Now in Le Journal de la Photographie, May 21, 2013 and

South by Southeast Magazine

Carpe Diem,

Lorrie

www.LorrieDallekPhotography.com