Children of Africa

After looking at the dirty air and the harsh living conditions in Ghana and Nigeria I have shown, I thought I would show you one reason why these places have a way of endearing themselves to you so easily; and especially why they did me.

Children are children the world wide, but the children of Africa are special; no matter what their lives may be like, those smiles tell you they are still children and can enter your heart in an instant. Long after your trip is over those faces will be seared into your memory and your soul.

The Gatekeeper

I was in Ghana, West Africa driving along a road when we turned into a driveway to speak with a man about the use of a truck the next day. We pulled up to the gate and the driver honked the horn prompting the gate to open moments later. After exiting the van I noticed the gate had been opened by a Muslim man working for the home owner. This face made me want to know everything about this man, the weathered skin, the kind eyes with more that a touch of mystery; I just wanted to sit and have him tell me about his life. A few minutes later we were pulling away after setting up the use of the truck for a video shoot the next day, so my fantasy interview was thwarted; but I did get a picture with his permission.

Ghana, West Africa

Last October just outside Tema, Ghana, West Africa, we came across a small fishing community on the beach. They had their hand carved fishing boat embellished with personal and tribal carvings, a shelter from the weather crafted from palm trunks and fronds and the pots where they cleaned and prepared the catch for sale right on the beach. All this not a mile, and within view, of a hustling and bustling metropolitan area of Ghana with its banks, oil, Mercedes dealerships and suit-wearing business men. It was so different from my experiences in Kenya and Eastern Africa teaming with zebra, giraffe and gazelle, but it was still Africa; primal, sad, beautiful and life changing in so many ways.