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I was fortunate to meet an Ethiopian photographer named, Andarge Asfaw. He had a booth at the Heritage and Culture camp we attended last weekend. His book Ethiopia From The Heart was one that I could not pass up. The pictures in it brought Ethiopia alive in my mind and I do so want to go back again, now more than ever.
Andarge was incredibly helpful when describing his pictures to me. I was trying to get a feel from where the pictures were taken as he had traveled extensively to photograph as many areas as he could.
Two pictures stunned me. One is called Suluta Girl and can be found at his website. This picture just jumps out at you and it feels as is the girl is staring into your soul. Very beautiful and poignant. The second picture is a black and white one with a texture on it that makes the girl look like she is fading away. It is appropriately named Don’t Let the Children Disappear. Mita is holding the book turned to this picture in the accompanying photo to this blog.
Over 100 pictures fill the book with images from our children’s homeland. Having it at our house is sure to help us continue our conversation with our kids about where they came from and stresses that our family is connected to Ethiopia.
A great book to have at home to enjoy. A wonderful “Welcome Home” gift to a newly Ethiopian-Adoptive family or to grandparents wanting to know more about Ethiopia. Andarge donates a portion of his profits to organizations developing new fuels that won’t effect the trees and wildlife in Ethiopia and around the world.
He also offers photography tours of Ethiopia which would be an awesome thing to do someday with the girls. I wouldn’t recommend trying to take one with your newly adopted child, but a great homeland trip for sure!
Photo Credit: Mandy W 2009
