Childhood Interrupted
To bring to light the extreme hardships of the estimated 100,000 children that live on and under the streets of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Many children are victims of child trafficking and family abuse and were forced to escape to the street.
Three years ago I was photographing in Addis Ababa the capital of Ethiopia and I met a young boy called Bruke who had runaway from a small village because of an alcoholic and physically abusive father and a step mother that did not want him. Bruke, when I found him was living with his friend Oromo in a small concrete hole that was 3 x 4 x 5 ft in size that was in the median of a very busy road. He was surviving, like so many of the street children there off left over plate scraps from restaurants. Through an outreach center that tries to help the estimated 100,000 plus street children that live in the Mercato market area of Addis I was also able to talk to many other children like Bruke who had escaped not just abusive families but were victims of child trafficking and prostitution. My dream assignment would be to return to Addis and make a detailed photo essay with audio interviews with the children that would bring to light the horrors of child trafficking and the extreme dangers that these young children face everyday on the streets. The ultimate dream would be to use part of the money to find Bruke and help him establish a life off the streets. If I cannot find him then I will donate part of the money to the Forum on Street Children, an NGO that helps rescue children from the hardships life on the streets of the Mercato area.
Please take a minute to vote for this and help me create awareness about these young children.
Deadline for voting is April 3rd. Thank you for taking the time.
Rank: 51 |
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68 Comments
excellent idea, i voted for you, please check out mine and return the vote, good luck!
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After reading more of the street children of Ethiopia on the Unicef site, this story breaks my heart. There definitely needs to be so much more awareness of this out there. You have my vote for sure and I will send the link round to everyone I know. Good luck and well done on putting this out there!
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Your dream is worthy and I am happy to vote for it. Good luck.
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Interesting idea! I voted... Please return the favor and PIC my idea if you find it interesting! Thanks and good luck!
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Hey Jason this sounds like a really positive project, I hope you get all the votes you need.
Judith
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children are #1- great cause Jason
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What a great idea! You've got my vote. Best of luck:)
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I know this will be a very valuable project to focus attention on an almost unknown problem. It's a great idea and you have my vote.
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best of luck!!!!!
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Good luck. I hope it happens for you.
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My vote is for you every time Florio! Good luck, Jen Hile
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This is the story you were born to do... If only I could go back with you.
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There are no coincidences - besides being such a cool guy - now I really know why you're in our lives.
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Good luck man!!
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I voted for you and hope you win. Your photographs are truly amazing and the cause is dear to my heart as I hope to adopt from Ethiopia.
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I really hope you get the project!
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Chris Woodrum voted for you knobby....
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A wonderful vision. If you would, please vote for mine too. Maybe one of us may win!
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Texas on your side brother....
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Good Luck Jason! All Best, Fay
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Yo Bro, Good Luck!
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....a good dream! namaste...
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Sounds like a great project, hope you make it! Richie
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Good luck dude, Respect
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Viel Glueck!
Imke
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Yes! Best of luck to you. Julie
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Hey Mr J. Good luck to ya.....fingers legs and eyes crossed! Suzy xx
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Good luck, you've got my vote. Paula
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fingers crossed Jason! c
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go florio! —sachs
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so utterly beautiful and so important
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Great plan. Hope you win.
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Sounds like a worthy effort and project to bring light to a dire situation.
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Such a great cause... and I know how passionate you are about it. I will pass on your story and hope you all support Flo in returning to Addis.
Good Luck!!!
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You have my vote too - I will never forget you talking about this experience. The world needs to learn more about this.... I will spread the word.
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Bruke has an amazing story, and so do thousands of other children in Africa. My idea is about the children of Africa as well. I hope there are more ideas like ours out there that will draw the world's attention to these children and their cause. You have my vote. Good luck!!
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GO Flo GO! x
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So great you are making plans to continue this story. Keep on target, baby. You're doing great. xo
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We can do it !!!!
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we are doing it babe!! x
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I am happy to live next to you. :)
Good luck, mate!
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Rage at the front!
No se puede vivir sin amar.
cubi
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Not bad for the first 24hrs!! Thank you everybody! JF
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its a great project...hope that works out. dr
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this is working...........
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go for it 25 up and still looking
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Hey Jason -we're rooting for you here at Aurora! jean
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I have an elderly cousin who was a teacher/missionary in Ethiopia who thinks this is a fabulous idea.
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Please tell your friends and family to GET OUT THE VOTE !
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Great Idea.
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good luck from nyc!!!
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Good luck from sunny Belfast!!!
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Ai cara... tudo legal.. voce ja' aprendeu a falar portugues?
'Ta' ai meu voto para voce bicho!
Te cuida malandro!
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Voting for you! I remember when you began this story three years ago...we met through Anna Little and went out to dinner (Indian)...remember!?!? Hope you are well, cheers, Andrea
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If anyone can do it you can Jason. Good Luck
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Take me with you!
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Good job ! Jason, all the very best and hope all goes well
good luck and we are all supporting you and THANK YOU! for trying to make a difference
so many people TAlk about what should be done but not many actualy DO something about it.
Mariahelen.
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get in line, Tom!!! ;) xx
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God bless you Jason. It's a good plan!!! Love Yvonne
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Christ the things I do for you Florio.....I keep hitting the "report abuse" button because you make all your friends sign up for some stupid marketing gimmick.... I am going to smack around a Madonna friendly Malawian orphan so I can feel better.
Go get em tiger.
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very cool jason. break a leg.
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good luck Florio
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duh - good luck Jason I meant :)
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Jason..blessed idea.do u remember z boy i gave my shirt when we saw him Shivering?.God bless you for your Kindness 4 all those kids suffering on the street of addis.
Good luck and good w` be with u.
Tariku From Ethiopia
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Buena suerte Florio. Lx
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Good LUCK Jason
xxRGO
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Your passion and open heart always amaze me!!! Good Luck!!
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Ready to win? Get in there. 
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this sounds like a great project. I wish you luck. Mine is idea is about exposing what is taking place in the congo. return the vote?
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