Kalinzi Boy

Boy with Ball

It had been a long day of bouncing around the hills in a Land Cruiser as we visited numerous small coffee cooperatives and farmers. With each stop kids would gather. First they were attracted to the vehicle. Cars don't come 'round those parts much. They run out of their homes and scream with delight as we pass. When they see a white person in the passenger seat it only adds to the excitement. "Mzungu! Mzungu!," they yell. Once stopped and I get out with two cameras around my neck it isn't long before there's a crowd of kids tagging along. This could be good or bad depending on your motivations. Luckily, they aren't particularly interested in being photographed. They just follow and watch.

Then, every once in a while, a kid gets the nerve to be photographed. That's what happened with this one. He was just standing there beneath me in a small coffee storage house. I didn't even notice him but for some reason I looked down and saw him staring up at me. The light was lovely and as I raised the camera, rather than run, he just continued to stare at the lens and press his face against the palm stump. I loved that he had his plastic bag ball in his hand. It gives a bit of context and speaks to the economics of the place.

Make pictures.