Meet the Rags and Riches Team

Rags and Riches: Changed Perspectives Change Lives

The PhotogenX Around the World Track is about to hit the road again!  Last year we traveled to over 20 countries to document injustices.  What we found was men, woman and children ending up in horrible situations and often driven to desperate measures because of poverty.  We met many of the thousands that poverty has landed under bridges, in orphanages, in red light districts and in slums.

For me, the reality of poverty hit home in a personal way.  The face of suffering became real when we met kids who could be fed for a few days for the cost of one Starbucks latte.  We felt a burden to do something, but how could we, as a team of photojournalists help to end this world wide problem?  Our photos weren’t clothing the homeless, or feeding the hungry.  What could I, a young Canadian woman really do to make a lasting impact?

I can’t say that we found a solution to end world poverty, but we want to do our part.  To quote Mother Teresa, “Not all of us can do great things.  But we can do small things with great love.”  I believe that a child should be raised in a loving home, not alone on the streets.  I believe that people should have proper nutrition and housing.  I believe in mentoring and educating the next generation because after all, education is a fundamental solution to poverty.

We just published a book titled: Rags and Riches.  It tells stories of the people who we met through our travels.  Our purpose in writing this book is to use it as a tool to help combat poverty.  In July and August of this year we will travel through Europe and North America to promote the book, raise awareness about poverty, and to raise funds in support of orphans and community projects in Kenya, Romania and Indonesia.  All profits from the book will go toward these projects.  Most of all we want to inspire and empower others to use their skills and gifts to respond to the needs of the world.

I am so excited to be a part of this team, and to help change the lives of people around the world through our Rags and Riches project.  We hope that by the end of tour there will be enough funds to build up two orphanages and aide in two community projects who help and mentor youth and people trapped in slums.  Please visit our website: www.track.photogenx.net to read more about our team and the organizations we are supporting.

You can be a part of ending world poverty too.  It starts small.  You don’t have to go around the world to find people who are in need.  Right there, in our own neighbourhood there are people who have needs.  You can donate clothing, sponsor a child or go on a missions trip.  You can also partner with me in donating towards the financial costs of our tour, which will in turn, support the cause of our book.  Above all, I challenge you to be part of ending poverty yourself.  Let’s make this world a better place, by doing small things with great love.

To donate towards our tour follow this link:

Project Funding Office

Find out more about our book and tour:

Rags and Riches Website

Thanks everyone.  Thank you very much.

European Book Tour Flyer