tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386104982011-08-08T06:42:24.332-07:00Helping to raise FUNDS and AWARENESS through PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY<br> You can help our work and donate online www.justgiving.com/centersofhope.<br> All donations however small are welcome, as a little goes a long way in countries like India!NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.comBlogger1181100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-33580834043295917592011-03-18T04:27:00.000-07:002011-03-18T04:27:20.770-07:00

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-14933074261449671942010-07-09T01:27:00.000-07:002010-07-09T01:27:34.763-07:00

Off to Philadelphia and the HOPE Youth Core Camp Miracles in a few days time. Exciting to be back working and playing with the kids in Philly after three years!

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-47493173326674670242010-01-23T05:14:00.000-08:002010-01-23T05:35:52.657-08:00

Year 2010 is upon us, and with it comes new aspirations. Not wanting to rush ahead too much, a look back over the last three years might be in place!It all started in the beginning of 2007, when I had a change to go and document (photograph) the work of HOPE worldwide in India. What a trip it were to be! 2 weeks, 6000 miles and and 7000 images later, I was starting to realise it was the dawn of a

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-61775771374434778332009-05-01T06:25:00.000-07:002009-05-01T06:30:24.248-07:00

Since the last Global Summit in may 2008, work (and life) have taken me frequently to Nigeria, my least favourite of destinations. Or it used to be.Nigeria is a big country, full of wonderful, friendly and very hospitable people. Have made many friends over my several trips, to a degree that visiting them on the next trip is difficult due to lack of free evenings :)Will be posting much more

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-62065883810437474782009-01-16T08:15:00.000-08:002009-01-16T08:16:49.386-08:00

well, should have been..Instead we opted to the largest, wealthiest and busiest country in Africa, and a big one for HOPE worldwide too - namely Nigeria.

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-91585045390109433102009-01-16T08:13:00.001-08:002009-01-16T08:14:18.229-08:00

My first trip to HOPE worldwide's annual conference, and the second time in the US in three months time! Hectic preparations to get the books finished (and all came together at the last minute, as always). Great reception, everyone just loved the images and wanted to have the books.. alas the printing costs are still prohibitive of large scale distribution. Will be working on that and

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-80303229691567517752009-01-16T08:09:00.000-08:002009-01-16T08:11:00.044-08:00

INDIA AFGHANISTAN PHILIPPINES CAMBODIA UNITED STATES CODE D'IVOIRE   Now counting six books in total, ready for the Global Summit in Washington and to start their duty of spreading the word.

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-67117749910521248482009-01-16T07:51:00.000-08:002009-01-16T08:04:04.806-08:00

What a way to end my fabulous trip. Our driver Fred takes me to the village of Bapu where his wife comes from. We drive two hours west and finally arrive at the village to be greeted by the Chief and the uncles. After some African hospitality we spend a lovely afternoon with them. Next time I'll spend a day or two with the fishermen, doing what they do best - go fishing :)

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-66861557958333845322009-01-16T07:48:00.000-08:002009-01-16T07:50:04.148-08:00

Just as any where else in the world!

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-63697374853078373302009-01-16T07:47:00.000-08:002009-01-16T08:03:18.219-08:00

Orphaned baby Esther weighed only 4 kilos at one year when she was brought to the nutrion programme run by HOPE worldwide in the local community of Locodrojo, Abidjan.

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-34626527234554985292009-01-16T07:41:00.000-08:002009-01-16T07:42:18.156-08:00

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-4276178059913079902009-01-16T07:32:00.000-08:002009-01-16T08:02:46.025-08:00

One of the highlights of my travels are visits to local churches and congregations around the world. It is just plain amazing how people having the same faith in one God do feel like your extended family. Warm welcome is always guaranteed, and if ever I needed anything somebody would be there to help :)

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-90187044748754677272009-01-16T07:30:00.000-08:002009-01-16T07:31:23.380-08:00

 

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-67671994975226770652009-01-16T07:28:00.000-08:002009-01-16T08:01:50.982-08:00

The youth participate actively at the Lycee Municipal in Yugoupon, near Abidjan.

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-9500982726278280202009-01-16T07:26:00.000-08:002009-01-16T07:27:45.813-08:00

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-37018570198011823372009-01-16T07:25:00.000-08:002009-01-16T07:56:01.586-08:00

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-20974947355484859842009-01-16T07:22:00.000-08:002009-01-16T07:23:20.071-08:00

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-25714614062116160922009-01-16T07:21:00.000-08:002009-01-16T07:22:19.564-08:00

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-90167356458889498952009-01-16T07:18:00.000-08:002009-01-16T07:19:58.916-08:00

 

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-4209919822846001742009-01-16T07:17:00.000-08:002009-01-16T07:18:26.597-08:00

 

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-90315076820464124142008-03-28T05:05:00.001-07:002008-03-28T05:11:37.727-07:00

All systems are go, and the schedules are coming together. Have already met a third of the some 60 staff, and can't remember but a single name! Now off to the first location, the Health Clinic in Abidjan. Amazing to think that HOPE has been here already nearly 20 years!

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-65672725554777366962008-03-28T02:15:00.000-07:002008-03-28T02:17:13.483-07:00

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-73817862991608854672008-03-28T02:04:00.000-07:002008-03-28T02:13:09.891-07:00

The last of the first six books, Cote d'Ivoire, is well underway. Arrived last night to this African country's capital to a warm welcome by Julien and Nina Toyo.It is hot, humid and wonderful. After the cold and damp British "Spring" and a snowstorm in Paris, this is bliss :) Looking forward to getting acclimatised soon and getting my cameras out. Watch this space daily (The broadband at the

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-23779419338629344162008-02-25T19:34:00.001-08:002008-03-28T05:15:37.177-07:00

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-41599931198962385882008-02-25T19:31:00.001-08:002008-02-25T19:33:56.455-08:00

Bob and Pat took to church on Sunday morning. The worship service at the Greater Philadelphia Church of Christ was really awesome, and the music ministry was inspiring and elevating par excellence! Makes you want to come to church everyday of the week.

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-68555847393844797302008-02-25T19:31:00.000-08:002008-03-28T05:11:46.303-07:00

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-29090177752736724242008-02-25T19:29:00.000-08:002008-03-28T04:43:25.031-07:00

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-82266669575492824712008-02-25T19:28:00.000-08:002008-03-28T04:48:12.425-07:00

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-48256874962085679622008-02-25T19:24:00.000-08:002008-03-28T04:33:32.175-07:00

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-23703001456320251142008-02-25T19:23:00.000-08:002008-03-28T04:39:00.843-07:00

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-34050802124989734212008-02-25T19:21:00.000-08:002008-03-28T03:00:31.525-07:00

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-13337513734353820662008-02-25T19:02:00.000-08:002008-03-28T02:50:35.844-07:00

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-34636142123557223052008-02-25T19:01:00.000-08:002008-03-28T02:55:17.950-07:00

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-12389834356008173682008-02-25T18:38:00.002-08:002008-03-28T02:47:54.044-07:00

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-68562846646588798662008-02-25T18:38:00.001-08:002008-02-25T18:42:23.818-08:00

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-88055563927521708802008-02-25T18:38:00.000-08:002008-02-25T18:47:00.142-08:00

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-12998842311553222772008-02-23T04:00:00.001-08:002008-02-23T04:05:28.944-08:00

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-3764301564876940752008-02-23T03:45:00.002-08:002008-02-23T05:03:41.743-08:00

One of the key things for New Orleans was to keep the city vibrant. The Musicians Village is an initiative set up by musicians to support local musicians and artists, provide them with housing and a community to live and work in. HOPE worldwide supports the volunteers who help build these homes.

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-69290580846336584782008-02-23T03:45:00.001-08:002008-02-23T04:57:33.838-08:00

HOPE worldwide came to the Gulf just a month after the storm and as with so many other organisations were faced with the enormity of the task. As money money started to flow in, available work force was the main issue.HOPE has helped clear out, gut to the basic structure some 3000 homes and plots and works with Habitat for Humanity and Americorps to bring in a constant flow of volunteers to help

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-77375910189667172942008-02-23T03:45:00.000-08:002008-02-23T04:51:49.723-08:00

Two years after the hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans on August 29th, 2005 the scars and devastation are still there for everyone to see. What strikes one first is just the sheer scale of damage. Street after street and neighborhood after neighborhood are still half empty. Stricken homes, some gutted some still intact from the flooding alternate with totally empty lots and some renovated or

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-68795523689713166372008-02-20T03:40:00.000-08:002008-02-23T04:44:46.643-08:00

Don't worry, it still is. Charming, quirky, one of a kind. The music never stopped, it just paused as the hurricane blew a fatter note.

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-11796961661570965442008-02-20T03:36:00.000-08:002008-02-23T04:48:38.236-08:00

Well, not quite literally. But Flying anyway. THe United States is a really biiiig country if you did not already know. Having flown 8 hours from London directly to Philadelphia on near the top of the eastern seaboard, I was greeting at the airport by Bob Gempel and David Blenko and straight on to the airport hotel to catch the next shuttle bus back in the morning. Another eight hours and to

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-63789604990905917562008-02-15T01:02:00.000-08:002008-02-15T01:09:12.133-08:00

Only three days left to prepare for the USA trip. Will fly to Philadelphia on Monday and spend two weeks on the east coast with a short trip to New Orleans. Plenty of programs, centers and people to see in Philly, Newark, New York, Stamford, Baltimore and Washington.

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-90035536061980740842008-02-15T00:59:00.001-08:002008-02-15T01:01:57.125-08:00

After a lengthy process of writing, editing, selecting and fine tuning the drafts for both the Philippines and the Cambodia book are ready. Seeing the books printed and bound gives an enormous boost and also makes it much easier to spot typos and other little spots and wrinkles. Nothing like working on the real thing!

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-657846904721855912008-01-07T12:29:00.000-08:002008-02-15T00:56:27.976-08:00

Another top class facility for the HIV and AIDS patients. The CCF home provides quality care for the terminally ill, and is for many the last place to get treatment. The staff provide the best care available in all Cambodia, and once again it is free for the patients.All is not doom and gloom though. With the recent advances in medication, many will have their lifes prolonged, and for some the

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-21993134747207443232008-01-07T09:23:00.000-08:002008-02-15T00:50:33.266-08:00

CRC is actually an AIDS out patients' clinic in Central Phnom Penh. Every morning around 70-80 patients arrive here for their checkups and daily treatments for those who need them.All patients are seen and their vital signs taken, monitored and recorded in their medical files. All the medication is free, and the clinic enables patients to carry on with their normal life, continuing to earn a

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-18365138842975116542008-01-07T04:29:00.001-08:002008-02-15T00:42:13.896-08:00

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-34009408257439006612008-01-07T04:22:00.000-08:002008-02-15T00:44:14.237-08:00

As a teaching and training hospital, The Sihanouk Hospital excels in many aspects. The patients' details and test results have been meticulously recorded much from the start of the Hospitals existence. This is unheard of in many countries, but creates a solid foundation for both individual care and ongoing research work. There are many projects going on with the Institute of Tropical Diseases and

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-69386530172441872182008-01-07T04:06:00.000-08:002008-01-10T10:47:07.799-08:00

The busiest place in the hospital, and where many lives are saved every week. Life at the well equipped ER is much like in the TV series, this time only with real people and real drama. The seasoned doctors and nurses evaluate, test and consult - and do a fantastic job, for free!

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-38138622165333162602008-01-07T04:05:00.000-08:002008-01-10T10:37:47.323-08:00

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-19803224283314180382008-01-07T04:00:00.000-08:002008-01-10T10:33:59.729-08:00

The Sihanouk Hospital has been a refuge for hundreds of thousand of patients over the last ten years. It is run by HOPE worldwide, and staffed by some 300 local professionals and a host of specialists who come from all over the world to work, care and teach here.The hospital provides free, quality care for the poor in Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh. It also does a lot of valuable training of

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-27628763492465736192008-01-07T03:49:00.000-08:002008-01-10T10:30:32.426-08:00

Three hundred people waiting for the triage to start. For many in Phnom Penh this is the only place where they can come and receive quality care, for free. Every morning hundreds of people gather at the hospital entrance. Each one is seen, assessed and cared for. Those with more severe conditions are admitted either at the Emergency room or the Outpatients Clinic.

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-57565714751500694412007-12-19T15:39:00.000-08:002007-12-19T15:48:11.477-08:00

New country, new church, new family and friends.We have been blessed with so many people united in two caused - helping the poor and being saved ourselves. The hearts of the disciples are awesome, you just feel like you've come home (even if you are here for the first time, and know no-one).As with the Philippines, the sermons and teaching in takalog the local khmer is not much more

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-53414839185238706302007-12-18T21:31:00.000-08:002007-12-18T21:56:08.735-08:00

First sights of Cambodia are promising. Another new airport, very swift immigration process.. and another surprise when trying to get some local currency - I am told not to. They use US dollars here as their main currency. Local rials exist, but you only get them as change.Local country director for HOPE, Dan Liu picks me up and shows me around his new hometown. What a fascinating country,

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-63961623727196819072007-12-18T15:52:00.000-08:002007-12-18T16:00:31.147-08:00

Early morning wake up call (really early, as I have to be at the airport at 5am). A few hours of sleep after the church service and a late night drive-around Manila trying to find a hotel to stay.. the only airport hotel was full so I ended up in a upscale "short stay" hotel, which actually worked well as I only had 4 hours to sleep anyway.A three hour stop in Saigon, Vietnam (or Ho Chi Minh City

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-31603524959420141242007-12-17T21:37:00.001-08:002007-12-17T21:41:04.652-08:00

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-27097635220915373292007-12-17T21:01:00.000-08:002007-12-17T21:36:30.114-08:00

The Mobile Puppet Theater is a very effective and flexible way of reaching out to thousands of children, where they are and in a way they can relate, understand and remember.This initiative focuses on creating awareness of child abuse - both physical and sexual - and teaches the children how to deal with: Say no, Run and Tell someone who you trust. Today 1300 primary school children at Malabon

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-4665777110153597292007-12-17T05:55:00.001-08:002007-12-17T21:47:40.898-08:00

One of the pleasures of traveling is to have friends across the world. Tonight they took me first to Asia Mall to see the sunset and then to a Japanese place where I had Udo Sashimi - raw sea urching (abalone) nicely set on a peace of carved cucumber. Tastes lovely, but may not appeal to all tastes or sights.After the dinner with hooked up with the local church, sang familiar Christmas carols in

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-55106646479462109272007-12-17T05:40:00.000-08:002007-12-17T22:38:14.580-08:00

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-68405728433774026472007-12-17T05:39:00.000-08:002007-12-17T22:49:39.379-08:00

The Center of HOPE in Payatas provides a center point for the community around the dumpsite. They have a daycare and drop-in center, games and activities for the children and also professional counseling and therapy services for the local residents.

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-81525208476014947362007-12-17T05:38:00.000-08:002007-12-17T22:21:50.273-08:00

The Barangay of Payatas is home to some 200 000 people. Several thousand of them are living on the actual dumpsite. The new development and the planned closure of the site next will require several thousand people to be relocated for another site twenty kilometers away.

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-91930541393940603672007-12-17T05:23:00.000-08:002007-12-17T22:06:50.061-08:00

The big city dump and landfill site of Payatas is better known as The Smoky Mountain. This huge pile of rubbish has been accumulated over the last 35 years - and as Manila has grown, it's waste has piled up to heights topping 50 meters.The Barangay of Payatas (local council) and the dump site management have enbarked on a vast transformation project to turn the site back to green, well managed

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-83288766074195579702007-12-12T06:10:00.000-08:002007-12-12T06:14:47.656-08:00

Room with a view on Baseco Pier (no wall though).

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-40312519840267357582007-12-12T05:57:00.001-08:002007-12-12T06:10:00.923-08:00

The Center of HOPE in Baseco was the first built center in the Philippines. It was constructed from corrugated steel reclaimed from eight standard ship containers - very apt for the location and the way local people earn their living.The center and its staff help the local community in many ways. They offer regular day care and training facilities, a drop in center and playing ground (the only

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-223577377572295242007-12-12T05:46:00.000-08:002007-12-12T05:55:16.464-08:00

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-50158882840681449192007-12-12T05:31:00.000-08:002007-12-12T05:57:04.883-08:00

The settlement of Baseco is home to 60 000 people, perched between the rough sea, the bustling city and going all the way next to the commercial container port. It has just recently started to be redeveloped into a more structured and serviced part of Manila. The city council is working with Habitat for Humanity to plan and build new modern homes to replace the shacks and squat occupying this

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-46920651942307396262007-12-12T05:14:00.000-08:002007-12-12T05:29:23.560-08:00

With its colourful history under Chinese, Spanish, Japanese and American influence the capital city Manila has developed into thriving modern metropolis. Tall skyscapers adorn the skyline at Makati business center and new ones are popping up almost as often as in Dubai, Shanghai or Panama. The country is clearly embracing a bold new world, and one can easily feel it in this vibrant city.It is

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-64540551666937248072007-12-11T05:56:00.001-08:002007-12-11T06:01:30.427-08:00

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-23999783687606265422007-12-11T05:39:00.000-08:002007-12-11T06:03:34.587-08:00

Philippines one of the most active regions for volcanoes and earthquakes in the world. To see how volcanoes shape the environment, and better understand their raw and destructive power, We drove some 50km south of Laguna to Lake Taal and the Taal volcano. The lake itself is a vast crater, surrounded by more than 30 peaks. It has last erupted only couple of decades ago. The peak of the Taal

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-48127542976951660962007-12-11T05:29:00.000-08:002007-12-11T05:37:01.466-08:00

This is what it is all about - happy, active children who have received help. You would not believe their stories if you saw the children yourself. The value of the work is so evident in each of these little angels.

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-24066840659273508682007-12-11T05:12:00.000-08:002007-12-11T05:29:44.265-08:00

The Childrens Village in Binan, Laguna is home away from home to some 50 children. Most of them are victims of child abuse - of physical, sexual or mental nature. Children are referred to the Center because often it is the last hope, but also because it provides the best care and environment where the children can feel safe. Each home takes a maximum of ten children at any given time, and is run

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-71844142770844794612007-12-11T04:59:00.000-08:002007-12-11T05:12:08.421-08:00

Sunrise over Hong Kong, just twenty minutes to touchdown.. Half way on my trip in, and already being tested. Our plane was half an hour late leaving me just 25 minutes to change to the next one. Somehow it worked out and also my luggage made it too!21 hours after I left cold and wet England (read: Home), the Philippine welcome was hot and muggy. One of the brothers from local church and HOPE,

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-4925194263945240452007-12-08T17:34:00.000-08:002007-12-08T17:38:42.955-08:00

Just three hours to go, and then the next chapter begins in earnest. My friends is picking me up at 6.15am to take me to Heathrow where I board an eastbound Cathay Pacific jumbo and head for Manila in the Philippines - first images should be online late Monday night.

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-68496821098190919182007-12-03T10:45:00.000-08:002007-12-03T10:50:36.640-08:00

We have just agreed to produce another 7 books for HOPE worldwide. These books will further raise awareness of HOPE's work around the world - they are powerful tools for a single country and work together to strengthen the messages.The focus is on South East Asia, Africa and the USA. More are likely to follow, once this lot is shot, edited, bound and distributed at the HOPE Global Summit on May

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-90931789126651160702007-11-20T03:32:00.000-08:002007-11-20T03:39:38.130-08:00

After a couple of months break, the new Afghanistan Centers of HOPE book is now ready. We have printed it both in UK and in Pakistan, and both look stunning!They have also started their mission in both helping the Afghanistan team to showcase the valuable work they are doing, and sparking off a campaign to produce books for all the major countries and regions for HOPE worldwide globally. Just

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-51286968789453392582007-02-27T05:38:00.000-08:002007-02-27T05:43:40.861-08:00

Hi again! A photographers work is definitely not done once the images are in the bag. I learned that the hard way..Sorting, resizing and backing up 7000 images does take time, and disk space. The images take 20GB and fitted on 6 DVDs - so no online databank yet. Seeing them all sorted, burned with printed labels and off to the people in India to use gives huge satisfaction to me. A lot of hard

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-81668404298974421222007-02-08T03:53:00.000-08:002007-02-08T03:48:58.794-08:00

Whoa! Finally back, safe and sound at home in England. Time to be with my family, to catch up and also to reflect on the past couple of weeks.What did I see, learn and feel? India is incredible. It is BIG, buzzing, bullish and at the same time tremendously poor and undeveloped. There are so many people in need. There is also huge amount of work done and being done by the government, NGOs and

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-41554232583932811652007-02-05T07:11:00.001-08:002007-02-05T07:12:53.498-08:00

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-78667886650105006862007-02-05T07:10:00.002-08:002007-02-08T03:41:58.419-08:00

The people working for HOPE are the real heroes. Both at the head office and at various programs I am deeply touched and moved by the dedication, commitment and warm hearts of these true modern day heroes. Without them none of this could ever happen.Over the past three weeks I have seen wonderful things happen, with remarkable ease and stupendously little money and resources. Let us all learn

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-42119199884923961392007-02-05T07:10:00.001-08:002007-02-05T07:51:31.010-08:00

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-85759005041792329622007-02-05T07:09:00.000-08:002007-02-05T07:42:50.283-08:00

HOPE TAG meeting took place today at the Sonya Vihar Center. The group consist of several interest and specialist groups including local government and officials, NGOs like USAID, and individual professional members - many of whom do this as a volunteer on a pro bono basis. The group meets regularly and discussed current programs, coordinate and share best practices across several

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-33797254081048773872007-02-05T07:08:00.004-08:002007-02-05T07:38:30.692-08:00

Sonya Vihar is a large slum at the East side of Delhi, home to thousands of families. Altough they live in fixed yet simple accommodation, child death rate is alarmingly high. Almost 1 in 100 child will die before their first birthday, with anotfher half a percent dying before their fifth birthday. Main causes are poor hygiene, lack of knowledge and above all missing sanitation. HOPE has set up a

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-17604257007942173822007-02-05T07:08:00.003-08:002007-02-08T03:37:02.398-08:00

The modern Delhi and it's lifestyle could not be further away from the places and programs we have visited in the past two weeks. Gimms takes me to a nearby mall - "Shopping Heaven" for our Sunday lunch. India is truly a country of great diversity and cultural shocks, and the bullish new economy spares little thoughts for the poor squatters on the same street.

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-46995043529577195352007-02-05T07:08:00.001-08:002007-02-08T03:27:57.847-08:00

A surprise stopover at Chennai, as we had two hours to spare before our flight to Delhi, Xavier took me to see the nearby St Thomas Mount. This turned to be the spiritual highlight of the trip.Thomas (one of the twelve) was the Apostle for India. He came to spread the Gospel in Goa and planted many churches in Tamil Nadu. He founded a church on this very hill and also met his death on this very

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-20748326560561002162007-02-05T07:07:00.001-08:002007-02-08T03:12:34.384-08:00

A free day! As we had completed all our shoots in Tamil Nadu, we could take a day off from our formal schedule and use the spare day to meet Xavier's relatives in the nearby town of Dindikul. We had lovely time with his mother and sister's family, visited his old school and even got invited to the headmasters office (the bottom pic is me posing with him).

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-8750146831875160582007-02-05T03:42:00.000-08:002007-02-08T03:19:39.342-08:00

The Slave's Caves at the Rock Fort in Dindikul - do you see the restless spirits still wandering in the corridors?

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-1170402577173656002007-02-01T23:49:00.000-08:002007-02-08T03:22:06.583-08:00

Children waiting for their afternoon snacks after returning from school at the Richards Childrens Village of HOPE

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-1170402555889105322007-02-01T23:45:00.000-08:002007-02-08T03:26:40.495-08:00

As we are approaching our next destination Xavier is getting a bit nervous and very excited. We have a spare day in our program, and we're going to his home town Dindikul some 100 km south of Trichi.He asks me if it would be ok to stop halfway to see his grandmother, who is a nun at the Catholic convent school. We end up having coffee and a lovely chat with her and the Sister Superior, exchange

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-1170402294947975472007-02-01T23:44:00.000-08:002007-02-08T03:24:35.518-08:00

Another town, another program - this time in Central Tamil Nadu in Trichi (or Tiruchirapalli for its real name). We come to meet Uncle at the fantastic facility donated by the Richards family. Intented as a childrens village it houses an orphanage and has much room to grow - so please do go online, collect money locally to enable this center to fulfil its potential.

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-1170402154962791242007-02-01T23:38:00.000-08:002007-02-01T23:42:34.963-08:00

Another early start, and time to move on. Today we are travelling some 160 km / 100 miles - and estimate it will take us around three hours. A slightly later than planned 7.30 start sees us arriving in Trichi (Tiruchirapalli for its actual name) around noon. Not an uncommon thing on the Indian roads.Plenty of time to catch up with the sorting and archiving images. Essential to do this everyday if

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-1170401881276260602007-02-01T23:37:00.001-08:002007-02-04T03:24:52.201-08:00

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-1170401854531394572007-02-01T23:37:00.000-08:002007-02-04T03:28:07.487-08:00

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-1170401816178579542007-02-01T23:36:00.000-08:002007-02-04T03:24:02.876-08:00

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-1170401567192978842007-02-01T23:32:00.000-08:002007-02-04T02:51:13.314-08:00

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-1170401511478088582007-02-01T23:24:00.000-08:002007-02-01T23:31:51.480-08:00

A really sad day for me personally. Our little god daughter Nina has been battling a losing battle with cancel for the last three years. Her funeral is today in Stockholm. A big loss for the family, a short life that touched so many. A little princess full of life and laughter - now gone forever. Her smile and memory will live with us.There are no words to comfort, to console or to explain. We

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-1170401297332471622007-02-01T23:23:00.000-08:002007-02-04T03:07:39.607-08:00

Another center funded by Manpower. This one is in the Nagapattinam Center of HOPE, next to the new school and the almost finished village hall. Students are learning several skills enabling them to find jobs either as craftsmen or office workers in business environment. Courses include IT, accounting (tally in India), electric installation, masonry and sewing.

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-1170400950265485242007-02-01T23:18:00.000-08:002007-02-04T03:00:26.221-08:00

One of the many Vocational Training Centers set up by HOPE, and funded my Manpower. Manpower India is one of the biggest donors and active employer in the region. After the tsunami, they announced a program to train 15000 tsunami victims thus bringing both educational and vocational development opportunities and also a significant number of new jobs to Tamil Nadu.

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-1170400704071816252007-02-01T23:16:00.000-08:002007-02-04T03:11:18.330-08:00

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-1170400559142244852007-02-01T23:11:00.000-08:002007-02-01T23:15:59.153-08:00

A lovely day at the Southern end of the coast at Nagapattinam village. There are no sign s of Tsunami, but a raft of new buildings to house the villagers and fishermen who lost all they had. WorldVision is doing great work here building homes and HOPE Foundation is finishing the new school in two months time.

NEW ERA ENERGYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726354439127939705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38610498.post-1170085810833979012007-01-29T07:42:00.001-08:002007-01-29T07:50:10.836-08:00

Monday night, and we're on the road again. It's just gone past 9pm, we have a seven hours drive ahead. And condisering that we started at 6am, one can say it has already been a long day. But again a very good one. WHen the electricity finally came back we were able to make full use of the HOPE offices broadband and coffee making services and catch up on webwork.And being in a fishermans village,

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