I was going through the hard drive and came across this set of images from a few months ago - I couldn't resist posting them!
4.4.13
1.4.13
Take Time
{In case you are just visiting my blog for the first time, click on the "TAKE TEN" tab at the top of the page to get up-to-date on the importance of Niger Vocational Training Centre to Rachel 6 Photography this year!}
I had the opportunity - no, privilege - of sitting down with Chantelle McIver
recently for a cup of coffee and an informal interview about the Niger Vocational Training Centre. She greeted me at the door and quickly explained that she was just doing some product photography for an upcoming auction of ethnic items, many handcrafted by the students of the Girls at Risk School, the main outlet of NVOC. She brewed some coffee and served it in mugs from her Starbucks collection (only from places she has visited - those are the rules).
Chantelle is the director of NVOC, and is also a high school classmate, choir mate, and friend. The responses are composed from the notes I took during the interview, and not direct quotes!
Where did the vision for NVOC come from?
A needs assessment was conducted and during meetings with the Tuareg elders, it was identified that the education and skill development needs of young girls were not being met. The Tuareg are historically a nomadic people, and many of the girls have no opportunity in their rural communities for schooling and life management skill development.
Chantelle, it was wonderful to sit and talk about your passion and I am really excited to be able to contribute (even in a small way) to the work you are doing in Niger!
I had the opportunity - no, privilege - of sitting down with Chantelle McIver
Chantelle is the director of NVOC, and is also a high school classmate, choir mate, and friend. The responses are composed from the notes I took during the interview, and not direct quotes!
Where did the vision for NVOC come from?
A needs assessment was conducted and during meetings with the Tuareg elders, it was identified that the education and skill development needs of young girls were not being met. The Tuareg are historically a nomadic people, and many of the girls have no opportunity in their rural communities for schooling and life management skill development.
"Women reinvest 90% of their income in their families and communities, spending more earned income on food, healthcare, home improvement and schooling for themselves and their children."
~ The Economic Power of Women - Calvert Foundation
What is the profile of a student at the girls-at-risk school?
She must be unmarried, and remain so for the duration of the three-year program; she is between 12 and 18 years old; she is "at risk" - from a poor household, at risk for prostitution, etc. The girls are from either the Tuareg or the Zarma people-groups.
What are some of the highlights of your work in Niger?
She must be unmarried, and remain so for the duration of the three-year program; she is between 12 and 18 years old; she is "at risk" - from a poor household, at risk for prostitution, etc. The girls are from either the Tuareg or the Zarma people-groups.
What are some of the highlights of your work in Niger?
TRUST has been a speed bump in our relationship with the parents of the girls. That relationship is very important, because without the support of the parents, the girls are at higher risk of being married off or taken out of school. Initially there was very little trust, but as the second year of the three-year program began, we were very pleased to see that the parents not only trusted us, but even became our advocates when outside forces threatened the school. We are known as "the people who care".
Talk about some of the challenges...
As a director, keeping the parents engaged has been challenging. We have definitely seen growth in this area! As a mother and a wife, finding and keeping a balance between work time and family time has been an ongoing effort. Paul and I are passionate about this work and it can be hard to carve out time to nurture our marriage and family. Playing together in the evenings and living simply so we can take a vacation each year are some of the ways we do this.
What is on your wish list?
Praise the Lord the NVOC is fully funded for another 3 years! But we are currently fundraising for 60 sewing machines (which the girls take with them when they graduate from the program) and we would love a small-scale long arm quilting machine!
As a director, keeping the parents engaged has been challenging. We have definitely seen growth in this area! As a mother and a wife, finding and keeping a balance between work time and family time has been an ongoing effort. Paul and I are passionate about this work and it can be hard to carve out time to nurture our marriage and family. Playing together in the evenings and living simply so we can take a vacation each year are some of the ways we do this.
What is on your wish list?
Praise the Lord the NVOC is fully funded for another 3 years! But we are currently fundraising for 60 sewing machines (which the girls take with them when they graduate from the program) and we would love a small-scale long arm quilting machine!
Chantelle, it was wonderful to sit and talk about your passion and I am really excited to be able to contribute (even in a small way) to the work you are doing in Niger!
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| Photo credit Chantelle McIver |
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| Photo credit Chantelle McIver |
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| Photo credit Chantelle McIver |
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| Photo credit Chantelle McIver |
6.3.13
Take Ten
I am beyond thrilled to be writing this post today!
In the months leading up to my decision to start up an official photography business, I wrestled with the idea of earning money doing something which, in its purest form, is a luxury. Perhaps it's the fact that my family of origin, back several generations, were employed almost exclusively in education and farming. I didn't stray terribly far from the tree in my decision to pursue a career in nursing. Even in earning a living, I felt it was important to provide a necessary service to others.
How, in this new venture, could I continue that service? Even though a beautiful photograph can capture and preserve a fleeting expression, a subtle nuance, a face too-soon fading to memory, I wanted Rachel 6 to do more. There are so many hurting people in this world, and how could I make even a small difference in these lives?
It's not complicated. It's not innovative. But it's how I've chosen to share what I have been given. And it motivates me to tend and water this little seedling of a business.
TAKE TEN.
Ten cents of every dollar earned by Rachel 6 Photography will be donated to a charity of my choosing, a different one each year. Look for a profile of the chosen charity in the "TAKE TEN" tab at the top of the page.
In the months leading up to my decision to start up an official photography business, I wrestled with the idea of earning money doing something which, in its purest form, is a luxury. Perhaps it's the fact that my family of origin, back several generations, were employed almost exclusively in education and farming. I didn't stray terribly far from the tree in my decision to pursue a career in nursing. Even in earning a living, I felt it was important to provide a necessary service to others.
How, in this new venture, could I continue that service? Even though a beautiful photograph can capture and preserve a fleeting expression, a subtle nuance, a face too-soon fading to memory, I wanted Rachel 6 to do more. There are so many hurting people in this world, and how could I make even a small difference in these lives?
It's not complicated. It's not innovative. But it's how I've chosen to share what I have been given. And it motivates me to tend and water this little seedling of a business.
TAKE TEN.
Ten cents of every dollar earned by Rachel 6 Photography will be donated to a charity of my choosing, a different one each year. Look for a profile of the chosen charity in the "TAKE TEN" tab at the top of the page.
30.1.13
30 • 01 • 2005
It's hard to believe that this was me 8 years ago. Harder still to reconcile the photo on the right with the 8-YEAR-OLD who sat at the kitchen island this morning eating his birthday breakfast of marmite on toast.
It's funny, as each year passes, in some ways I feel less equipped to be a great parent. The early parenting initiation consisted of deciphering crying codes, applied first aid, and teaching those initial life lessons of fairness, disappointment, and submission to parental authority.
As he becomes more and more independent, the parenting gets less black and white. He has more questions - I don't have all the answers, and sometimes, there just aren't answers. He starts to see my flaws. It becomes more and more about showing him where and to Whom to go to find the answers, and helping him to ask the right questions.
OK, so this is deep, and he's only eight. But each year I have to let go a little more, and I treasure still and much those moments when he wants a cuddle, or wants to sit and do some art with his Mom. He doesn't need me to hold his hand anymore, but I will always hold his heart. And give thanks for the gift of my firstborn son.
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