i'm alive

I sought out this personal project to gain wisdom and insight from my elders. Oftentimes, I believe that American culture forgets and almost belittles this generation, which carries invaluable advice to be shared.

I met so many amazing people while working on this project. A few had me almost rolling on the floor laughing with their jokes, and others made me want to cry. While the vignettes may be short, I hope that their personalities shine through. I heard so many different responses to "What has been your greatest life lesson?" but the underlying theme was to live life and love others. I titled this piece 'i'm alive' because I felt Edward summed it up the best by this response. I don't know if he understood the question, but to me it symbolized that even though he is old, his life isn't over.

Tegotatoo: Death Under The Rock

For over 20 years the Lord's Resistance Army has terrorized northern Uganda, killing over 500,000, kidnapping at least 25,000 children, and displacing about 2 million people into IDP camps. When the war moved out of Uganda in 2009, the government strongly encouraged resettlement, even by cutting off aid to some camps. However, there were no homes to return to. Those who could leave moved and rebuilt their lives. Those who couldn't remained. Tegatatoo is an IDP camp where many still remain as the neediest of the needy. Many elderly are still living in the camps as they are not able to physically move and rebuild their lives. Many single mothers are left to tend to the fields and raise their children alone. No one wants to remain in the crowded, disease-ridden camps, but for many--this is the only home they've known.

Living In Faith, Paulette Johnson

Paulette has been in remission from breast cancer for the past five years. She stood up to cancer with her positive attitude, courage, and faith, which her family, especially her husband, Oliver, depended on during the hard times. Even though she faced cancer, she still made time to give back to her community. She works at Meals on Wheels, a nonprofit organization that delivers food to people who can't afford to buy meals for a variety of reasons. She also works with other breast cancer patients by educating and encouraging them at workshops.

*won 2nd place team audio slideshow for NPPA's Monthly Multimedia contest (November 2008)

Peace In My Heart

The Savich family immigrated to the U.S. 13 years ago to escape religious persecution in Ukraine. In a time of economic crisis, the family relies on each other and their faith to get through hard times.

Seventeen

The Glisson family began the adoption process 10 years ago with their first daughter, Anastasia. Their family has now grown to 17 because of their desire to keep adoptive families together and their kindness to open their hearts and home.