Where is her mother, her father? Does she even have a mother, a father? When was the last time she ate? Was that the last time she ever would?
These questions, accompanied by so many emotions, continue to race through my mind. They keep me awake at night.
Such a beautiful, bright light robbed of her innocence by the hardships of slum life. Why are some given the three bedroom, two bath life surrounded by a white picket fence – when so many more are given what is photographed above? I’ll never forget that face.
I consider myself forever humbled by my visit to the Mathare slum. An experience as eye opening as it was harrowing.
-Malcolm King-Fontana
“Beautifully heartbreaking”
Photographed by Malcolm King-Fontana
Wow Malcolm. Brought tears to my eyes.
It does change you in a fundamental way, doesn’t it? I wish everyone in America could have this experience.
Dear Malcom, thank you for a beautiful sensitive photo and expression of your thoughts and feelings – I was wondering how hard it was going to be for you to ‘come down’ from your enchanting time on safari and ballooning over Masai Mara … knowing that the reality of the slums was in your future. Those breathtaking contrasts and heart stopping encounters with abject poverty and suffering split hearts like yours wide open – many many more of them are needed to activate the compassion and awareness so desperately needed in our world. A shift to expanded consciousness may accelerate understanding and healing on our planet. Thank you for being there with your eyes and heart open. Penny
Heart breaking photo. Nice comments,but I have to say it is more than everyone in America that needs to be aware,it is a global issue. It is so easy in modern society in general to want more stuff and gauge ones self worth on that stuff…depression and stress are such a common problem in society these days,often self inflicted from a twisted sense of what we need and who we are. To look at the face of the little angel in the slum you took one cannot help but gain at least a little perspective and awareness of our part in this universe…and to ask what really matters? I hope you continue to share what you have seen and felt long after your trip is over. Therese(Bobo)
I love that you are writing and sharing your heart through words and photos. The pictures say everything! I have been to the slums and townships and it changed my life and filled my heart with a new depth of compassion. Thank you for sharing what it real and true. Love you
Hi Malcom, I just made a donation to Save the Children’s Africa Hunger Crisis Children in Emergency Fund. What else could I do after seeing this little girl and reading your words? Thanks for sharing your adventures… even the things that are hard to reckon. What a life changing experience!