Foto’s Blog- Remembering Haiti
Phodographers Carolyn Lane, Leah Hudson and Brittany Lane in Haiti 2009
A year has passed since the devastating earthquake hit this island nation. Dog Meets World today shares earlier pictures of kids, which were for almost all their very first photographs. It is our hope that the Haitian children and young people can “see their potential” more clearly in their pictures. Haiti needs their indomitable spirits, energy, hard work and tenacity to move forward. It reminds us all to stay involved and help.
Foto’s Blog: Foto amuses many in unique exposure in Myanmar (Burma)
NEW Phodographer Xander Meise Bay in Bago, Burma August 2010
Xander completed volunteer legal work in Phnom Penh and then took Foto to a monastery school outside of Bago, Burma. Bago was a royal capital in the 16th and 17th centuries, and today it is the home of the second largest Buddha in the world.
We arrived unannounced with the Dog Meets World photo project and happened upon the place during meal time and recess. Burma does not receive many foreign visitors, and even fewer make it out of the capital to places like Bago, so the children found me and the little stuffed mascot dog Foto to be quite the oddities. But, after minimal persuasion (Foto can be quite convincing), the students were only too happy to have their pictures taken and began clamoring with each other to be the next in line.
They were mesmerized by the images. It is my understanding that these are the some of the first pictures they will have of themselves. As aside, I also introduced Foto to staff at a Yangon hotel and restaurant. The Pink Floyd-listening waiters found him especially amusing.
You’ll notice that many of the people have on their faces what looks like streaks of yellow-tinted paint. Most commonly worn by women and children, this is traditional Burmese makeup that is also worn by men and that the locals describe as Burmese sunscreen.
Foto’s Blog: “DMW is the Icing on the Cake” in Vietnam
NEW Phodographer Lee Rappaport in Ho Chi Minh City September 2010
Lee, volunteering with others for Humanitarian Travels said this was her first clowning adventure. ” I didn’t know what to expect when we visited various hospitals, orphanages and AIDS children. Yes, it was an eye opener but from the standpoint of how happy the children could be under these circumstances. We saw so many smiling, joyful faces.
The Dog Meets World was the icing on the cake! What a unique experience we were able to share with these children of Ho Chi Minh City. Thank you for introducing us to this special global diplomacy via a cuddly dog (Foto) & photos.”
Foto’s Blog: New home & first photos in Kenya
Phodographer Rob Willet in Kisii, Kenya, June 2010
Rob is a CPA from Los Angeles and volunteered on an international build for Habitat for Humanity in Kenya. Adding Dog Meets World was just another way to engage and connect cultures AND leave an indelible memory of this special time in their lives…..receiving one’s first home!
Rob’s said “throughout the entire process, the adults and kids alike were smiling, laughing and enjoying their/our time together as well as playing with Foto and watching the photos print. Once we began to hand out the photos, the enjoyment continued as they were excited and overjoyed to have a picture of themselves and/or family to keep and share with others.“
Foto’s Blog: Foto helping to spread love & peace in El Salvador
Phodographer Sarah Henry on the road in El Salvador, Aug. 2010
The children are studying the paws of the mascot Foto dog, which have embroidered on them the symbols of LOVE and PEACE. Acknowledgment and affirmation of the individual and sharing love and peace through photophilanthropy and citizen diplomacy is the mission of Dog Meets World. Phodographer Sarah is the Executive Director of World Connect-Kids to Kids and has partnered with Dog Meets World. Kids to Kids is a global youth-led program of World Connect committed to creating opportunities for kids everywhere to participate in arts, sports, education and environmental projects. They, like us believe that kids can, and DO, change the world.