Eyes of Tanzania

It was one hot afternoon last summer that started this adventure “Eyes of Tanzania”. A good family friend, Gail Ahern, who had been living in Tanzania at a hospital and orphanage, stopped by to visit our daughter Hanna, then 11 years old. Unbeknownst to Eoin and I, Hanna had saved up her birthday money and allowances to donate to orphans in Tanzania, so that they might be able to have school uniforms sewn in order to attend school. Hanna felt that she was lucky to be able to get an education, and that if she could help just one child, her donation was well worth it. (In actuality Hanna donated over $100.00 which paid for 10 uniforms for orphans.)

This truly moved Eoin, and we started thinking about what could we do. Our initial reaction was “Let’s adopt a child!” But given the current state of economics that was out of the question. So Eoin asked Gail, and knowing Eoin’s talent as a photographer, she responded “What we really need is to tell the story through pictures.” Gail was delighted to hear that Eoin would be happy to do a photo documentary of the Tanzania that so desperately needed to be revealed.

Eoin took with him a love for people, nature and his art. In a matter of 3 months, his trip was planned, and he took off to spend 2 weeks visiting as many orphanages and schools possible. His goal was to be able to bring back images that reveal the portraits true of life in Tanzania, both good and bad.

Of course I am partial, but I was so moved when I saw the first images sent over by email when Eoin was there. He has a gift of capturing people,
places, and nature.

I am so proud to be witnessing Eoin’s goal of publishing this photo documentary. His devotion to the cause is truly inspiring.

If Eoin can help just one Tanzanian child achieve an education and realize his/her goals, then just as Hanna said “it is all worth it!”.

Lisa Vincent
January 2009