Monday, we are on our way to the Burabodum Refugee Camp. It’s in Ghana and is mostly comprised of Liberian Refugees from the last civil war (Google it). They are exremely camera shy in and around the camp: some of these poeple are ex-combatants and will be joining normal society in the future and don’t want any images that could imcriminate them or make it harder for them to get a job. Crazy things like that are the norm here. So I have few images of this place. We were not even allowed in there because there was the threat of a riot earlier that day so security was tight. We are being bussed to a side entrance where one of the schools on a YHRI program was started. It’s also near a water source. ANY and nearly ALL running water is treated as the toilet. The air reeked of urine.
The man sitting next to me is Jay Yarsiah: Two-time refugee, Liberian and the President of the YHRI Liberian Chapter. And one of the sharpest, funniest, smartest guys around. He came to the US last year for the first time (it’s nearly impossible for a Liberian to get a Visa to the US, but he did it!) Tim has known him for about two years now, since his first visit to Liberia.
Friday night, the laptop I brought with me died. I’ll be sharing Jay’s laptop as long as possible. I can still do most things except really edit my images. I was looking forward to that!
These boys insisted on me taking thier picture. Then a few more wanted one. I was tied up for near twenty minutes taking shots of these proud football players. And I would’ve stayed, but it was nearly dusk and we needed to be back in Accra before it got too late.
