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Sony Forums Challenges | all galleries >> challenge 61: movement (hosted by andy) >> challenge 61: movement -- eligible >

Waiting for a Good Samaritan
by Helen Betts
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07-FEB-2004 Helen Betts

Waiting for a Good Samaritan
by Helen Betts

Ankara, Turkey

Taken in Kizilay, Ankara's downtown area. You unfortunately see this kind of thing all the time in Turkey's large cities. The child has a bottle of water next to her, a piece of bread in her hands and a box for contributions in front of her. I didn't see any adult around that looked like they belonged to her. Occasionally (rarely, really) people stopped and left coins for her. For another shot of this scene go to http://www.pbase.com/image/25919646.

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Sony Forums Challenges10-Feb-2004 00:08
Hi Katherine, yes she does appear to be well fed and dressed, but basically what has happened here is that her parents (or whoever is responsible for her) have set her out there on the sidewalk of a busy street to beg for money. That's a box for contributions in front of her. One sees this kind of "child labor" quite frequently here -- children (but not usually this young) selling things like tissues, postcards, miscellaneous stuff. I kept looking to see if anyone was attached to her in the vicinity but without success; there was an old woman begging for money on the overpass I was on, but she didn't seem to be paying any attention to the little girl. Helen
Katherine Stanback's Photos09-Feb-2004 22:14
Nice photo - its strange - that little girl looks like she's dressed ok, her hair is done nicely, and she looks well fed, but she also looks like she's totally accustomed to being left alone with no one watching out for her.
Sony Forums Challenges09-Feb-2004 11:33
Thanks, Jim. I thought it made a statement and was a bit disappointed at the lack of comment, but I realize the thumb isn't too captivating :-). I'll take you up on your suggestion and rename it. Helen
Guest 09-Feb-2004 06:50
Helen,

I found this to be a pretty powerful image. The thumbnail isn't very captivating, but when you look at it you see the little girl. I wish the lady in the sweater didn't look like she was going to her (whether she is or not doesn't matter). Other good titles might be "No Samaritans?" or "Insensitivity"... might attract more attention to click.

Nice capture.

Jim (shutter)