SPRINGTIME BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY
Charlotte Davies
This photo story is inspired by the incredible journeys of the children in Group 77 of HCPT who traveled this past Easter week. Their smiles and vibrant personalities are shown through this collection of photos :).
HCPT (Hosanna House and Children’s Pilgrimage Trust) is a British charity which brings children who are disabled and disadvantaged to Lourdes, France every Easter week, since its start in 1956. This close knit community - focusing on a general foundation on Catholic values - welcomes anyone and everyone - regardless of religious affiliation. The staff and volunteers aim to introduce the children to new cultures and friends in a safe, comfortable environment. Not only does this offer the opportunity for children to have a fully funded holiday, but it allows for relationship building with the various helpers traveling.
During Easter week, I, and many other volunteers, traveled in Group 77 alongside thousands of other people in their respective groups from around the world; United States, Croatia, West Indies. I met some very generous people - teachers, nurses, students alike - who volunteered their Easter vacation, and time leading up, to create an enjoyable and cheerful holiday for these kids.
Through these photos I hope to illustrate the overwhelming sense of love and comfortability felt throughout this week. I hope to portray the joy of the children, and the pride of the helpers as the children slowly, but surely, opened up to one another to show their loving, caring selves. Spending a week with people you barely know may seem daunting, but the visible growth of the children, and the impact these experiences have on them, certainly makes it worthwhile. Just as was said to the children dreading the goodbyes at the end of the week, “a hard goodbye signifies a great week full of lasting memories where life-long friendships have formed”.
This article first appeared in PRISMA, Issue 1.