Now I understand what Dorothy meant…

I’m back home and absolutely loving my family and friends who’ve all been very supportive during this experience. And what an experience…

It was sad and difficult – every single day. Everything!!! is different there (Southern Sudan). And sadly everything! requires attention, work, help, you name it.

But for me, the children were a real highlight. Whenever I visited a school, my spirits were lifted. They loved my cameras, were always smiling, would sing me songs, wanted to shake my hand and meet me… it kept me going knowing that what we were doing will hopefully improve their lives in the future.

Here’s some photos from my last day in Juba. We visited a school and gave a class (100 children) bubble blowers to play with. They had fun! It was really nice to see them laughing and playing.

A big thank-you to Bryan and Michelle for putting up with me for 3-weeks – I know it mustn’t have been easy :-/

Post production/editing begins this weekend – but first to capture the 5-hours of footage I filmed, oh yay Stay tuned for doco updates…

Peace xo

When all else fails, there is hope in the eyes of Southern Sudan’s children. This photo keeps me going…

They ran from their home to shake our hands as we were driving past in the car…

This is their home…

We visited Juba’s hospital today. I’ve been pretty strong to date and have managed to control my, normally out of control, emotions. But a sick baby girl touched my heart and control went out the window …

We were taken to a ward occupied by babies with Malaria, chest infections and malnutrition. There was a lady in the corner with her daughter who was sleeping on the bed. The baby girl was gasping little breathes – she had a very bad chest infection. I went over to them and took a photo and some footage of her (below). The mother then tried to tell me something but she didn’t speak any English – I think she was talking about being a mother. I looked down and the baby girl was holding my finger so tight, staring at me with her brown eyes – reminded me of my son, Elijah, when he was a baby. I held the mother’s hand and thanked her, and then left because I didn’t want to get upset in front of her. Took me some time to compose myself. Bryan says I’m very soft and that’s a good thing :-/ but I wish I was stronger.

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Flew to Malakāl today – we’d also planned to fly to Nasir, but the runway wasn’t suitable.

Flying to Rumbek and Yambio tomorrow, and we also hope to interview the President of Southern Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, tomorrow night.

This was a tough post to write.

We flew to Bor and Torit today to visit and film/photograph the devastation caused by the Sudan war.

I have little words. I HOPE these pictures (just a few – I took over 150) do the talking. They, we, need your help. Please help.

I would ♥ to upload some video footage but the Internet is very slow and random – but I believe the stills speak a million words.

Flying to another 3 places tomorrow. Feeling quite down and drained. I’m very quiet at the moment, and for anyone that knows me well, you know that’s not me.

I saw a baby in the hospital today who’s mother had passed away just the night before… a baby so weak from Malaria it could barely lift it’s head… a baby so malnourished, crying, legs so skinny, and skin loose and dry… that’s really just a glimpse of the beginning here. It’s never ending. It really is.

They, we, I need strength. Please keep us in your thoughts.

I HOPE for a better future and life for these beautiful people, and HOPE that in some way this film will show the world what’s going on in Southern Sudan, and people will help them.

Thank-you again for your support and love. I’m very blessed.