In celebration of her 75th birthday … Joan, her three children and her lovely grand daughter came into my studio for a family portrait session. GREAT idea!

What a beautiful family. The photos turned out great and the montage looks amazing.

See you all soon,

Ronda

FYI about Haiti

Haiti is the poorest country in the Americas. It is an impoverished country, one of the world’s poorest and least developed. Haiti ranks 149th of 182 countries in the United Nations Human Development Index. About 80% of the population were estimated to be living in poverty in 2003 (that’s before the 4 devastating hurricanes of 2008 and the unbelievable earthquake of 2010). Most Haitians live on $2 or less per day. This poverty has forced at least 225,000 children in Haiti’s cities into slavery, working as unpaid household servants. Countless others live on the streets and in orphanages. Source: Wikipedia

In 2008, four huge storms struck, one after another in the space of 30 days, Haiti never stood a chance. Nearly 800 people died, about 60% of the country’s harvest was destroyed and entire cities were rendered desolate and uninhabitable. Life in the western hemisphere’s poorest country went from grim to desperate. Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Disaster Strikes Haiti Again

On January 12, 2010, at 4:53 pm local time Haiti was struck by a magnitude-7.0 earthquake, the country’s most severe earthquake in over 200 years. The epicenter of the quake was just off the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince. The focus was about 6 miles (10 km) underground, according to the USGS.

It has been estimated that the death toll could reach 200,000. Widespread damage resulted from the quake, with a majority of buildings collapsing due to poor structural design and construction. The capital city was devastated. The Presidential Palace was badly damaged, with the second floor entirely collapsing onto the first floor; the Haitan Parliament building and the National Cathedral were also destroyed. Source: Wikipedia

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A Glimmer of Hope for the Children of Haiti

At Hope Village Haiti – “FreeTheKids.org” hundreds of children are receiving the care and education they need to fight the viscous cycle of poverty.

In this village of hope:

* Over 600 children are receiving shelter and care.

* Over 1,700 children are provided with academic and vocational educations.

* 3,500 meals are prepared and served daily.

And these numbers continue to grow. But here’s what makes this mission different from most others. The children are the solution. They are pitching in to help built their own dormitories and schools. They are learning trades such as masonry, carpentry, farming, and agriculture. They are becoming self-sufficient so that as adults, they will be able to care for themselves. And one day, they will be able to care for their own children. Something their own parents were unable to do for them.
Click here to learn more about  Hope Village Haiti – FreeTheKids.org

Click here to learn more about  Pwoje Espwa (Project Hope) – Free The Kids/Blog