Sunset Shadows

Sometimes I find it way too easy to forget that a new, exciting setting isn't always necessary to get a good photo. For example, I got these lovely shots in my back garden this afternoon. I feel a little bit ashamed to admit that I'm often so wrapped up in a search to capture the unusual, the erratic, the awe-inspiring, that I often don't notice the beautiful average around me. My note to self for today is to start noticing things around me in my normal day to day life and appreciate them, whether I do so with lens or memory.

Kenya Trip Update

So as many of you know, I'm heading to Kenya next February to do some volunteering with the Cara Girls Rescue Centre just outside Nairobi. I'm so, so excited for this trip, it's going to be amazing.

Since I made the decision to drop out of college, I was scared of falling into a rut. I was terrified that I was going to end up working in a  supermarket for the rest of my life so I promised myself I would not let that happen. So when the opportunity arose to get involved with Cara Projects, I was really excited. On a completely selfish level, I'm hoping the trip will give me a sense of direction. On a more selfless level, as cheesy as it sounds, I want to at least try make a difference.

The work Cara Projects does is fantastic, it's far more than just an orphanage. In theory, orphanages are great but the problem with them is that when the children turn 18 they're more or less just released back into the same system that they came from, they never get the chance to break free and create their own futures. They just end up back in the same cycle of poverty, completely void of any hope of bettering themselves or making their own way in the world. They end up returning to the same struggles. So the idea behind the Cara Girls Rescue Centre is that they teach the girls as many skills as they can, ranging from knitting/sewing to computer skills. This way, when the girls turn 18 and they have to leave, they have many transferrable skills that they can use to get themselves jobs or go to university, thus breaking the cycle of poverty that they came from.

The centre caters to girls because in disadvantaged areas such as the slums outside Nairobi, it's the young women who are the most vulnerable. Many of the girls living in the centre were abused or raped before arriving and the majority are HIV positive. They need the protection the centre offers as much as they need the shelter/education/food.

The idea of going to somewhere so disadvantaged and being able to see my work actually make a difference in the lives of these girls is phenomenal.

I'm still short of my goal of €3,000 so it's all systems go at the minute to try get together the last of the funds. If you think you can help, if you'd like to take a sponsorship card or if you'd like to get involved then drop me an email; niamhmurray149@yahoo.ie or leave a comment below.

You can keep up to date with the goings on in the centre by liking their Facebook page >here<

And finally, another huge thank you to everyone for their support so far. This little pipe dream is so quickly becoming a reality! Every time I see a cheque I realise this is actually happening and it's getting closer every day! Keep those donations coming folks x

Rain Drops

Got this sweet little picture earlier while I was waiting on a train, rainy weather always seems so depressing but sometimes it makes things that little bit more pretty!

Quote of the Day

'The end of art is peace.'

Seamus Heaney.

Ever since I started studying English, I've always found a connection with poetry. If I had to choose, my favourite poet of all time would have to be Seamus Heaney. When I found out he'd died, I was at Electric Picnic and I went into my tent and cried for a solid half an hour, I was devastated! I think it would have taken me a lot longer to come to the realisation that I love poetry and I'm actually quite good at English had I not been introduced to Heaney's work so early on. I even have a tattoo featuring his last words on my arm, Heaney is my hero. His work will always be very, very special to me and his poems are something I will return to time and time again for the rest of my life.

Quote of the Day

“Life is pure adventure, and the sooner we realize that, the quicker we will be able to treat life as art.”

Maya Angelou

Photo of the Day

Taking pictures of little plants growing out of walls is my favourite past time. Cute little plants are the best. Look at this persistent little cutie!