The RISSE school girls have very different ideas about photography than the RISSE boys. One after another, the girls so shy and turn away, they tell me in their countries girls don’t have their pictures taken, it’s sometimes considered bad luck or as a sign of shamelessness.

The boys, on the other hand, demand to have their pictures taken and ham and pose and demand to see how they look. Most of the  girls do not like to play sports with boys, or go on outings with them. The teachers tell me that is changing, if slowly.

I ask the girls if I can take their photos – their teachers and parents have given me permission. When I tell them it’s for the people who have sent them all these gifts for the school, and for the refugee and immigrant families, they laugh and smile and then turn their eyes to the camera.

I decide not to use their names, just to make sure they are comfortable.

They have the  most wonderful faces. They love learning, and revels in the books and paint kits and learning and music software and musical instruments they are receiving. New worlds are opening up to them, and they are learning the power of creativity.

Me too.

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