How People Live

During April I’ve had a photo exhibit running in Studio 13 Gallery in Denver’s Santa Fe Arts District.  It’s called “How People Live” and is a collection of photographs from the streets and slums around the world that illuminate the diversity of people and the condition of the poor.  Photos were taken in Uganda, China, Thailand, India, Brazil, Mexico, and various places in America.  Most of the … Continue reading How People Live

Acid Attacks: Juliette’s Story

Many of you have read the story I wrote about a courageous acid attack victim from Kampala, Uganda named Juliette on this blog.  HDNet’s World Report aired an “in her own words” piece about Juliette that I produced for the show on April 14.  It is a very powerful story and Juliette’s ability to forgive her attacker and move on is inspirational.  I hope you are as transformed by Juliette’s … Continue reading Acid Attacks: Juliette’s Story

BeadforLife on The Newshour

Many thanks to PBS producer Patti Parson, Associate Producer Rebecca Jacobson and the folks at The Newshour with Jim Lehrer for the wonderful story they did on BeadforLife (http://beadforlife.org) on Thursday’s program.  Every time the NGO gets national exposure of this kind the phones ring off the hook and more and more people join the fight against global poverty.  Together we are making a difference and … Continue reading BeadforLife on The Newshour

Slum Tourism

Check out Ode Magazine for my story on slum tourism or “poorism” as it is sometimes called.  This is my first magazine article and it came as a result of stories I introduced on my blog.  Thanks to all for reading.  http://www.odemagazine.com/doc/62/slum-tours/ For more information about Vicky Collins visit http://www.teletrendstv.com Continue reading Slum Tourism

Grateful Traveler

I recently got to know a fabulous freelance writer named Jamie Simons who writes the Grateful Traveler article for Peter Greenberg’s blog. Peter Greenberg is the travel expert who is a frequent guest on NBC’s Today Show. I met him a couple years ago when I was producing for him at the Aspen Food and Wine Classic. If you haven’t read his blog you should … Continue reading Grateful Traveler

New Face of Homelessness aka Economy Sucks Journal #2 2.7.09

Darlene and Jacob.  Teddy.  Craig and Margie.  All are the new faces of poverty.  Six months ago each had jobs, homes and middle class incomes to support themselves and their families.  Now two families are homeless and the other teeters on the brink.  Their falls have been fast and hard.  Darlene has a college degree and worked in the mortgage industry until October.  Her husband … Continue reading New Face of Homelessness aka Economy Sucks Journal #2 2.7.09

Friendship Village

Ever since I traveled to Kampala, Uganda in 2006 I have wanted to tell the story about the village BeadforLife (http://beadforlife.org) was creating with its members.  On our first visit we learned that affordable housing was a dream for the women who were trying to lift themselves out of extreme life crushing poverty.  Almost all wished for a home that they would own rather than rent.  They … Continue reading Friendship Village

Amazing Grace

I had my first photos ever in a gallery.  A call for entries went out for a juried exhibit at Flash Gallery in Denver (http://workingwithartists.org) and two of my photos were selected.  The subject of the exhibit was “Home is Where the Heart Is” and photographers were encouraged to submit their visions of what home means.  Proceeds from the exhibit will go to help the Denver Rescue … Continue reading Amazing Grace

Slumdogs

I can’t get the movie “Slumdog Millionaire” out of my mind.  Just like India, it was surprising and unexpected.  The beauty and brutality are staying with me.  It made me think back to a little street urchin who came up to our car window in Old Delhi.  I can’t get her out of my thoughts either.  She approached our vehicle when we were stopped at an … Continue reading Slumdogs

Friends and Favelas

Jubilation!! My first comment. I’m grinning from ear to ear. Someone read my article about favela tours and appreciated it. I tried to get my local newspaper to run this story but they passed. I contacted magazines and websites. Pass. Pass. I said what the hell. I’m starting a blog. I knew this was a good article that people would find interesting and someone read … Continue reading Friends and Favelas