In the fall of 1984 the BBC reported a story on the famine in Ethiopia. HOPE International went there along with hundreds of other agencies. To see people leaving their homes, walking many hours and miles for a bit of food, people dying along the way, the experience was beyond understandable. First trip with HOPE International, first trip to the third world, totally out of water to put it mildly. Managed to get a few photos despite no experience, poor equipment, and general state of shock. Travelled with the TPLF from Kassala, Sudan via armed truck convoy, through Eritrea (now independent) into Tigre. Spent 10-12 days there travelling about with the TPLF, viewing makeshift refugee camps. Had the opportunity to meet Sebastiao Salgado. Didn't understand his stature until I arrived back in Canada. Had plenty of time to consider why his photos were so powerful, and applied that as best as I could on future trips.
