Hey, leave those kids alone.
By Photography Seven
15 Jul 2008
Taking the risk of losing my Canon 40D and/or my life, I walked on my own on the boundaries of the Sultan Ahmet poor neighbourhood in Istanbul-Turkey.
The objective was to capture the every day life of the illegal immigrants in the city. The result was flocks of children pushing themselves infront of my lens joyfully at my every attempt to take a photograph. I was helpless, I surrendered to them. The joy on their faces checking themselves in my camera's display was priceless.
I spoke none of their languages. The only turkish word that i learned from a turkish arab man on my way in, was 'tek tek' which means one by one.
'tek teking' everyone around I managed to gain descent control on one of the roughest crowds I've ever met during my 10 teaching years.
I was pushed, kicked and given the finger by the little darlings...
Ah..all for a photograph.
Turkey's position on the doorstep of the EU has made it one of the largest trafficking centers in the world. Official estimates put the number of people illegally crossing Turkey's borders at around 100,000 annually or even more. Those who risk their lives hidden in ships or by crossing the long rough mountain border with Turkey's eastern neighbours, hope to eventually continue their journey by boat to Greece or Italy, or by land into Greece.
Most of them stay in the filthy hotel's in Askaray or slums in other parts. Women are usually forced into prostitution.
Just stop...
look at their faces...
and wonder...
where is our world being pushed to.
1 response
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KY M................ said (18 Nov 2008):
Wow...what a story and adventure you had! Capturing the spirit and joy of kids in such conditions! Great story!
