Photojournalism

The Afghan girl who haunted the world with her eyes

~ AngeliqueRodrigues ~ 2 Comments

Twenty-seven years ago photographer Steve McCurry snapped a photo of a young girl who would become known the world over as the ‘Afghan Girl’.

McCurry was documenting the ordeal of Afghanistan’s refugees in Pakistan, and took what he thought was going to be just another shot of a sad, refugee child.

But this photo was different.

It would go on to grace the cover of National Geographic in June 1985 and be heralded as “the most recognized photograph” in the history of the magazine.

The girl with kaleidoscope eyes became a symbol of the 1980s Afghan conflict.

Those who came across her photo, myself included, couldn’t help but wonder who she was.

McCurry made several attempts in the 90s to locate her but was unsuccessful.

Then, in 2002, a National Geographic team traveled to Afghanistan to find her.

The search for the Afghan girl turned up many false leads but eventually she was found, and the identity of the woman whose eyes had haunted the world for so long was finally revealed.

Though time has changed the plains of her face, and the hardships of living in war-torn Afghanistan have aged her, the Afghan girl is just as beautiful as ever.

And her name is Sharbat Gula.

To read the feature article on Gula – A Life Revealed by Cathy Newman click here.

-A

NB: Photographs by Steve McCurry

Edmonton moms get their due

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By Angelique Rodrigues/Edmonton Sun

Publication Date: May 8, 2011

Moms across Edmonton were presented with gifts, plied with food and pampered by loved ones Sunday.

With a variety of outings to choose from this Mother’s Day, Edmonton mom of four Wendy Bit, said she had one destination in mind – her bed.

But her daughters had a better idea.

“I just wanted to sleep in today, but my eldest daughter is volunteering at the zoo for the Mother’s Day event, and so here I am,” said Bit, who enjoyed a massage and had her nails painted bubble gum pink during the Mother’s Day Magic event at the Valley Zoo.

One-year-old Ally Smith gets some help making a card from mom Jamie at the Edmonton Valley Zoo Sunday. Photo by Angelique Rodrigues

The event brought moms and tots together for a day of indulgence, with plenty of activities to keep the kids occupied while moms enjoyed massages at the Tranquil Mobile

Spa set up in the Saito Centre.

Adrianna Milne, 37, has a grander notion for Mother’s Day, one she hopes kids all over the world will pick up on.

“I think every day should be Mother’s Day,” said the Medicine Hat mom of two. “It shouldn’t be just one day your kids make you feel special, it’s about the little things, spending time with your mom and showing her you appreciate her.”

Some Edmonton moms vetoed relaxation for charitable donation Sunday at the Sport Chek Mother’s Day Run and Walk at Foote Field. 11601 68th Ave.

More than 2,000 Edmontonians showed up to participate in the annual 10 km run.

“It’s a little down from last year, but we chalked that up to poor weather in the last week,” said event director Tyler Soll.

The event raised approximately $100,000 for the Stollery Children’s Hospital and every mother was surprised with a rose at the finish line.

Meanwhile, moms and their kids dined in style Saturday at the annual Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation Mother’s Day Luncheon at the Fairmont Hotel MacDonald.

Tickets for the 13th annual event were $45 and proceeds benefit the foundation directly.

Edmonton’s Donate-A-Ride kicks off

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Story and photos by Angelique Rodrigues/Edmonton Sun

Edmonton’s only city-run charity celebrated 15 years of giving Edmontonians a lift in a kick-off ceremony at city hall Thursday.

Founding member and co-chair of Donate-A-Ride, Coun. Kim Krushell, was on hand to congratulate the city for it’ hard work on behalf of the cause.

“Edmontonians have always been very generous to Donate-A-Ride,” says Krushell.

That why this year she’s hoping the campaign will pull in $100,000 to $150,000.

“We’re not asking for a lot of money, we’re simply asking for a toonie,” Krushell said.

The city-run fundraiser collected enough donations in its last campaign to distribute 86,270 adult and youth transit tickets to 60 organizations, says Krushell.

And demand is steadily increasing, says Krushell.

“Every year we have more agencies begging for donated tickets but our goal is always to at least maintain what we’ve been able to generate,” she explained.

Several new contributors have jumped on board for this year’s campaign, says Krushell.

“Which means we may be able to give tickets to agencies we haven’t been able to in the past,” she said hopefully.

She also welcomed two new members to the Donate- A-Ride board at the ceremony: Coun. Dave Loken and Edmonton Sun, Edmonton Examiner and 24 Hours publisher John Caputo.

“We are really excited to have them join the cause,” she said.

Krushell says the tickets are for Edmontonians who desperately need the donated rides on city transit.

“Your toonie could be somebody’s ticket to finding a job, gaining medical attention or finishing school,” said Krushell.

Dozens of city agencies will dole out the tickets, including the Youth Emergency Shelter Society, Boyle Street Community Services and ABC Headstart.

Last year, Donate-a-Ride supplied more than 85,000 bus tickets and the charity has raised more than $1 million dollars in transit tickets since 1996.

On New Year’s Eve, transit service will be free beginning at 6 p.m. Any money dropped into fare boxes will go directly Donate-A-Ride.

Buses will accept donations from Dec. 30 to the end of January.

Contributions to Donate-A-Ride are accepted all year at donatearide.ab.ca.

Coun. Kim Krushell officially kicks off the 2011 Donate-A-Ride campaign with a little help from some local ETS workers.

Canadian Idol Brian Melo visits sick kids at Ronald MacDonald House

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By Angelique Rodrigues/ EDMONTON EXAMINER
Published October 13th, 2010

It’s not every day a famous singer hosts a free concert, but Brian Melo, best known as winner of Canadian Idol Season 5, made a stop in the city of champions to do just that Wednesday.

 

Canadian Idol winner Brian Melo, signs autographs for the sick kids and their families at the Ronald MacDonald House in Edmonton last Wednesday. Angelique Rodriugues/EXAMINER STAFF

 

In the midst of a whirlwind, cross-country tour to promote his new album The Truth, Melo and his band mate, Andrew MacTaggart, visited Edmonton’s Ronald McDonald House to bring a little joy to the sick children and their families staying at the home away from home.

“These kids are so inspirational,” says Melo. “They are so brave in the face of their challenges. We’re just here to make them smile.”

The room was definitely full of smiles as Melo arrived with his guitar and made the rounds, introducing himself to the kids.

Tiny shaved heads bobbed up and down as Melo performed and miniature hospital bracelets flashed as the group of kids applauded him enthusiastically.

The 28-year-old has been a spokesperson for the Ronald MacDonald House, as well as an avid supporter of children’s foundations and numerous charities across Canada, since his 2007 win.

Melo says it’s a privilege to be able to bring joy to the kids who struggle just to live everyday. “The work I’ve done with sick kids has definitely fueled my creativity,” says the Ontario-born singer. “It’s amazing to come here and meet them and hear their stories. They can teach us a lot of things about what’s important in life.”

Although the duo was running late for their next destination, Melo and MacTaggart spent some extra time signing autographs and taking photos with the patients.

Melo was visibly moved after meeting one tiny tot who’s been waiting on a new heart since December.

 

Canadian Idol winner Brian Melo, greets one-year-old Oksanah Watton at the Ronald MacDonald House in Edmonton last Wednesday. The tiny tot has been staying at the house since December, while she waits for a heart donor. Angelique Rodrigues/EXAMINER STAFF

 

One-year-old Oksanah Watton was all smiles as she gazed up at Melo, who carefully stroked her hand and gave her parents his best wishes for the time ahead.

The Ronald MacDonald Houses of Canada have been providing a home for sick children, who are receiving treatment in the area, and their families since 1985.

To donate to the non-profit organization here in Edmonton visit www.rmhnorthernalberta.org.

The Truth, Melo’s second full-length solo album, is set to be released Oct.12.