Channeling Hope ~ Fundraising to help fight AIDS in Africa

"Channeling Hope"

Hi everyone,

     It's been ages since my last post and I realized I want my clients and viewers to know more about my photography. Just last night I photographed the fundraiser and celebration event called, "Channeling Hope", held at PIER 21, Halifax. This event was a celebration/fundraiser to help fight aids in Africa.

     An amazing woman named Kristin Roe challenged herself on July 22nd 2010, to swim the English Channel. She completed her  swim in 16 hours and 40 minutes. That day she became the first ever Nova Scotian to ever successfully swim the English Channel. Not only did she conquer her goal, she did it to raise AIDS awareness and 100,000 dollars for the Steven Lewis Foundation and the Nova Scotia Gambia Association.

"Kristin Roe and Mathiang Sing along to Lennie Gallant"

      A friend at NSCC International, (Ashley Pinsent-Tobin), asked me to photograph this event a few weeks ago. I met Ashley when I was accepted into the 2010 International Documentation Mission to Tanzania last may. I have never been as thankful for anything in my life as I am for the opportunity I was given to travel to such a beautiful country and be immersed in their culture. That is another story. My point is when Ashley asked me to photograph ,"Channeling Hope", I immediately took advantage of it.

     Africa is such a beautiful place. The people are brilliant. The generosity and hospitality is amazing. But Somehow amongst all the beauty it has the highest infection rate of AIDS in the world. More then half of the infected are woman and children. This is unacceptable considering the disease has been around for nearly half a century. The powers of the world have failed time and time again at resolving this on-going crisis. It is in the hands of the general public and the generosity of Canadians to continue the aid to Africa.

"Steven Lewis Giving his Inspirational Speech"

    Special people like Kristin and Steven Lewis are the key to helping the people of Africa win the battle against AIDS. Steven Lewis gave a speech last night that truly inspired a theatre full of canadians. Even as the event photographer, I had to tell myself to stop and really soak in what Steven had to say. Never in my life have I seen a few hundred people trying so hard not to cry. The research and education being performed to prevent the spread of AIDS was truly inspiring. If Steven gained anything last night, it was the respect of the citizens of Nova Scotia. After a lifetime of remarkable accomplishments, he has inspired change and given hope to millions.

    After a full night of musical performances by Lennie Gallant, Ruth Mathiang and various speeches  to support the cause, "Channeling Hope", was a success. There was an auction held before the event and at the intermission to raise additional funds for the cause. Overall, the night could not have been better. Today I am proud to say I am canadian. I am proud to have been in the presence of such wonderful people. I am so thankful to have been a part of this event and I will continue to support the cause and the fight against AIDS. "Thank you", to all my viewers who have taken the time to read my blog. I hope you will do your part, wether it be big or small...it will always make a difference!

Sincerely,

Harrison Burton

~Harrison B. Photography~
*All rights reserved to Harrison B. Photography*
Site link: (http://archive.harrisonbphotography.com)

Channeling Hope Campaign Website: http://www.channelinghope.com

Steven Lewis Foundation Website: http://www.stephenlewisfoundation.org






  

 

Pre-Departure tidbits

Hey guys! I just came back from the break and I thought it would be nice to give everyone an update on the trip! I went through quite a bit of trouble getting my passport in Halifax, but finally it will be here by the 26th of this month. That lifts a huge amount of stress off my shoulders knowing NSCC International will be able to book my flights with everyone else. Just last week I went into the travel clinic in Dartmouth to get my vaccinations required for travel into Tanzania. Thankfully it was only three needles, (Typhoid, Yellow Fever and Hepatitis A). The Yellow Fever vaccination was no fun but it's good to have it over and done with. My gear list is coming together and my Photo 1 teacher Ingram has actually let me borrow his monopod for the trip so thank you Ingram, and to all who are helping make this mission to Tanzania a success for me!

I have put the word out there for the people that are willing to donate their recyclables to help me fund the mission. Thank you to all that have helped me out so far! I can't tell you how much it means to me to have your support. As for the rest of you guys, let me know if you are willing to help out even in the smallest way possible it would be very much appreciated. It's been rough but selling things on kijiji has also really helped me out. Let me know if you have any old things of any value that you are willing to part with that I can sell for additional funding. I am trying to make roughly two thousand to pay the one thousand dollar fee to do the program which covers, (Transportation, accommodations and activities) and then to pay for my food and water.

Other than that I have been slowly learning Swahili with a lonely planet phrase book I bought last week at Chapters. "Habari" is hello:). Photography is, "Upigaji Picha". It is a really interesting language to learn and I am really enjoying it! Hopefully by the time we land in Dar es Salaam, I will be able to carry on a conversation to some degree with the Tanzanian people. Once again thank you all who support my work and check back soon for more info!

Mukumi National Wildlife Park and VETA

Hey guys, I've been slacking a bit on the blog posting but I've also been super busy with school and planning the documentation trip to Tanzania! Where to start...well my departure date is may 6th and I will be home by the 22nd. I had issues with my pass-port application the first time around so I spent all day today getting my references to sign my application and it will be prepped and ready to go by thursday. NSCC International needs my pass-port by the end of the month so I'm def cutting it close:P!
As far as layout goes for the trip, our flight path is Halifax-Toronto-Zurich-Dar es Salaam(destination). This is a very, very, very long flight so it will definitely be interesting.

The arts group that has been assembled to document the 2010 Documentation mission in Tanzania consists of a screen arts student( Melani Wood), Two RTA students( James Robinson and Greg Rozon) and myself Harrison burton. We have been divided for two different missions while in Tanzania. Group one, (Melani and James) will work in Dar Es Salaam with the Health and Human Services students to document the education and growing partnership with Kimara Peer Educators. Group two, (Greg and I) are to accompany the tourism management students to Mikumi, (5 hours drive from Dar es Salaam) to document the tourism students working with VETA, (Vocational Education Training Authority). The tourism students from NSCC will collaborate with VETA to improve tourism programs at the training Institute in Mikumi. Mikumi is a small town but it is neighboured by Mikumi National Wildlife park and it's beauty is breath taking!

My job as the sole photographer between these two missions is to photograph the key moments that paint NSCC in a positive light. This is the first time they have introduced a tourism mission so there is a bit of pressure on me for some solid material. I am hungry to do the best job possible for this mission! I am not positive on what I will see during this mission but I have been told we are for sure going on a safari! I honestly think this will be the highlight of the trip for me and I can't wait to do it! All the Gear is slowly getting pooled together now for me to effectively document this mission. I have not been given exact details on everything yet, but they are slowly but surely developing. Tonight I priced out all the vaccinations and pills I need to take for this trip and it is scary lol! I don't think I'll ever get stabbed by this many needles again for the rest of my life!

Anyways..everything is going well in regards to the trip and I cannot wait to tell you more! Thank you guys for checking me out and supporting my work!