X'mas card to Santa, a photo from Phnum Penh, West

Photographer's Note

.

Dear Santa:

Christmas is around the corner. Again, you are busy with the delivery of X’mas presents to good children around the… civilized world.

This is my X'mas card to you, with a photo from Phnom Penh — Cambodia's burgeoning capital city reigned by one king and governed by a cabinet. And this is Stung Meanchey — the sprawling 100-acre garbage dump where you can see thick plumes of black smoke rise from the stinking pile, choking the air with toxic gasses where more than 250 people (including many children) scavenge through the 900 tons of garbage dumped daily at the site.

Will you save some tiny gifts for these Cambodian children, Santa? They are poor, they are dirty, they are not students, but they are good children who screening trash to make their livings and to help their parents. They will not have the holiday off, because their daily "income" is less than 50¢: they must work everyday. They deserve your love and your care, Santa!

God Bless!

.

Timmok, seb_p, isabela_sor, Iuli, atus, parbo, Ulishna, gelor, sothy81, Serendipity, worldcitizen, Richard1, ElSato, bhorerpakhi, nicol_g, luisafonso, lara, robertosalguero, arturo, Zuzana_Stefkova heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

Critiques | Translate

blankar (809) 2006-12-22 8:15

Hi Thanh,
It's incredibly honest and shocking photo. Special documentary. I want to thank you for showing the true colors of the world.
Blanka

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Timmok (802) 2006-12-22 8:29

Hi Thanh

Nice picture showing a sad moment of the daily life for too many people. I loved your comment, and completely agree with the whole meaning. I'm flying back home tomorrow night to see my family for Christmas and will try my best not to spoil the party too much with that kind of comments, though I think I won't be able to help it ;o) Sometimes, I hate to be from a "civilised" country (as you say). We have no clue about everything, living in a materialistic world full of futilities...

Thanks for sharing ;o)

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Iuli (838) 2006-12-22 8:39

Great card! I'll be back.

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seb_p (498) 2006-12-22 8:39

I want to take the time to thank you for putting christmas back into perspective. This morning I was discouraged about the fact that we wouldn't have snow for christmas this year (Montreal, Canada). Looking at this, my initial thought seems very empty, beause I'm not thinking if I will be eating tonight, because I will, I'm not thinking if I will be cold, because I won't, I don't think about these things because if I need it, I can get it. Your picture is not only well taken, with perfect sharpness and all, but it makes me think and appreciate what I have. Thank you.

Seb...

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Glint (6171) 2006-12-22 8:43

Hello Thanh,
Christmas is supposed to me a about giving, including giving our thoughts to others so thanks for this thoughtful message.
all the best
Bev

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atus (15878) 2006-12-22 9:02

Hi Thanh,
apart that is a good shot, it's an excellent document of how the life is goin' on, day by day for many people on the earth, and we never have to forget them.
Tfs and best wishes!
Attila

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parbo (11092) 2006-12-22 9:07

Hello Thanh,

You caught an excellent documentary photo as your other photos in same series too. I’m really shocked after my first look. Your shot excellently transfers their difficult life to your frame. I wish a better life for them. Congratulations.

I would like to wish you and your family with the people who work there a joyful and peaceful holiday season, and a prosperous New Year.

Best Regards,

Ertugrul

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TRASH (0) 2006-12-22 9:39

By offering the song "Oh Holy Night" that represents the happiness and abundance of rich western world to introduce a shocking contrast of miserable people, you fed Santa and me with a sour taste of reality.
What are we going to do (or to share) to those people is the activity behind the scene, but I truly believe your purpose of posting this photo will be a secret success.
God bless them, and God bless you!
Merry Christmas to all of us — Stung Meanchey people included!

AROBN54 (11475) 2006-12-22 11:28

Thank you, Thanh. A great shot and a powerful message. It leaves me speechless and teary eyed. These are but a few of the poor, suffering people for whom Christmas won't be a Norman Rockwell event. Well done. God bless,
Shelly

porto62 (2313) 2006-12-22 12:16

Hy Thanh,your on it what chrismas mean when we saw you pic great done.

trigomiro (383) 2006-12-22 12:22

Hi Thanh,
your photo lets me think about our condition of lucky men but always unsatisfied, especially during Xmas time. It's a fool word.
You are a great photo-reporter.
Ciao
Pier

gelor (3233) 2006-12-22 12:58

Bonsoir Thanh,
Quel document ! J'apprécie l'image superbe et le commentaire. Rien d'autre à ajouter...
Gérard

sothy81 (9646) 2006-12-22 13:34

Hi Thanh, your note is very touching. You have great perspective and passion toward Cambodian children, esp. the poors. I admire you indeed. Probably, to me, Santa helps those who believe in him. So you can do comparison to a real life. I am very glad that you got a chance to visit this place and shot some pictures for us to see the actual reality. I am impressed. Well done Thanh. Sothy

jasmis (58653) 2006-12-22 13:58

Something really extraordinary here in this calm society. Important photo and strong message for us. Nothing to add. Regards, and nevertheless - Merry Christmas.

Serendipity (1045) 2006-12-22 15:04

Hi Tanh, this is a great job. All is in your picture and your note, there's nothing else to say.

Yuanclarkson (38) 2006-12-22 15:59

Everything has been said in your picture and your note.
All the best words to your today post have been used.
Just dropping by to say my best wishes to them, and to you.
Merry Christmas.
Yuan

Richard1 (0) 2006-12-22 20:56

All people before me already took the best words for your photo and notes. I rather repeat what Sothy — a Cambodian — feedbacked on this posting:

Hi Thanh, your note is very touching. You have great perspective and passion toward Cambodian children, esp. the poors. I admire you indeed. Probably, to me, Santa helps those who believe in him. So you can do comparison to a real life. I am very glad that you got a chance to visit this place and shot some pictures for us to see the actual reality. I am impressed. Well done Thanh.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to the people in Stung Meanchey! God Bless!

Richard

ElSato (824) 2006-12-22 21:12

Thanh,

I am happy to see your work again, as hearbreaking as it is. This image is great, really given depth by the smoke and it very touchingly shows all of us who are not there a side of life we don't normally see. As usual you have captured something important in life and caught a beautiful (and terrifying) portait of life in the processs. Great work. My best wishes for the holiday to you and to all of these people who, I suspect, get no holiday at all.

Lee

mikecone (15) 2006-12-22 22:11

Extraordinaire journalistic work!
I don't know what my children would comment on this one. I rather not to tell them about this myself; rather let them find out one day — in order to not spoil the meaning of your message.
Best wishes!
MC

bhorerpakhi (559) 2006-12-23 3:04

A touching picture, an impressive note. I wish Santa takes note of it despite his busy schedule these days.
Poulomi

nicol_g (859) 2006-12-23 4:43

Hi Thanh,
I wish Santa could find in his bag some CARE, some HUMANITY, some AWARENESS. These 'gifts' are so needed in our world!
A powerful image along with a kind, noble message.
Best wishes.

Polonaise (5802) 2006-12-23 9:43 [Comment]

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isabela_sor (47748) 2006-12-24 5:39

Dear Thanh
Your note is so sensitive and so powerful...and the picture is really a terrifiant image,a hard picture!!
I wish a better life for them!!!
All the best for all
Merry Christmas

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SoupDragon (652) 2006-12-24 21:16 [Comment]

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dsidwell (9783) 2006-12-25 1:27

Hello Thanh. Not only are the sentiments appropriate, this is also a very fine image with good composition and effective tones to communicate your message. Well done!

lara (915) 2006-12-25 5:45

Ho ho ho! The world is a very joyful place...

We are so filled with nice words, Thanh, but we do so little....
Like shooting stars, these images appear seconds only in front of our eyes, then we go back to our food and drinks and partying...
Merry Christmas to you and hope for better days for all of us.
Andra

aralda (1240) 2006-12-25 7:01

Hi Thank,
This is such a sad photo. All these people with garbage bags looking for food and other things. And mind you, this happens in the "civilized" world as well. I'm reminded of Agnes Varda's The Gleaners and I.
To a better year for all of us!
Raluca

arturo (31) 2007-01-26 8:04

Hi Thanh,

they say humans do show compassion which should differ them from the animal world...but oddly enough, looking at this image even the good old Santa must feel lucky no to be born there...cheers, arturo