Africans on Obama

NOTE: THIS IS A REPRINT OF A BLOG FROM 11/27/2008 FOLLOWING BARACK OBAMA’S ELECTION.  IT STILL RINGS TRUE AS HE PAYS HIS FIRST POST-PRESIDENTIAL VISIT TO ACCRA, GHANA IN WEST AFRICA WITH FIRST LADY MICHELLE AND DAUGHTERS SASHA AND MALIA OBAMA. Our Ugandan driver picked us up from the airport in Entebbe on November 9.  We were barely down the road before he asked us who we … Continue reading Africans on Obama

Vacation in Afghanistan

One year ago I was in Beijing, China for a three month gig working at the Olympics.  In November 2008 I headed to Kampala, Uganda again to do more television production work for BeadforLife (http://beadforlife.org) then immediately after a quick trip to Delhi, India for a wedding.  No exotic destinations this summer but I’m hungry for an overseas trip.  I’m already thinking about what to do … Continue reading Vacation in Afghanistan

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

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

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

Juliette’s Acid Attack

Juliette dreams of someday marrying a nice man.  One unlike the monster who poured acid on her in a jealous rage in July 2007.  We are sitting with this young woman, just 19 years old, on a porch near a church in Kampala, Uganda.  Juliette is beautiful on the side of her face that she shows to the world.  Her eyes are bright and she has a radiant … Continue reading Juliette’s Acid Attack

Africans on Obama

Our Ugandan driver picked us up from the airport in Entebbe on November 9.  We were barely down the road before he asked us who we voted for in the election.  He wanted to talk about Barack Obama.  He wanted to tell us about the parties all over Kampala on the night Obama was elected.  They were still going on days after the election to celebrate the … Continue reading Africans on Obama