INVISIBLE BORDERS 2010 (a trans-african photography project)

This is a body of work produced during the Invisible Borders Trans-African project 2010.

In some of the poorest provinces of Burkina Faso, villages are "hemorrhaging" their children, several local journalists reported after a recent tour through Sanguié, Nayala, Kossi and other parts of that West African nation. They uncovered a recurring story: countless children, mostly under the age of 14, have left their families in search of work elsewhere in the country or across the border in neighbouring Côte d'Ivoire. Some departed "voluntarily" or at the urging of their parents to escape the severe poverty of their home areas. Others were ensnared by labour traffickers.Local government authorities, child welfare experts, community leaders and rights activists have begun educating parents about the dangers of child labour. According to the ILO, slightly more than 51 per cent of all children in Burkina between the ages of 10 and 14 work, even though the labour code bars employment under 14.



Across Africa, there are an estimated 80 million child workers, a number that could rise to 100 million by 2015. Since the problem is closely linked to the continent's poverty, and can only be eliminated with increases in family incomes and children's educational opportunities, UNICEF, the ILO and other groups are focusing initially on the "worst forms" of child labour. These include forced labour and slavery, prostitution, employment in the drug trade and other criminal activities, and occupations that are especially dangerous to children's health and security.

'Re-fill' chidinma nnorom, courtesy IB 2010



At each border we come accross, I see them rushing to the car, and I'm like 'whoop! not again, here they c-o-m-e!'

I felt so out of place myself seeing how these children roam the lands with their bowls so close to their heart,looking so ragged all over.It's either you fill up their bowls and watch them disappear, or you settle for them flying around you like a fly would do. matter what it takes, those were the kind of children I saw at those borders. These pictures were taken at the border between Burkina Faso and Mali, 2010.

'Bless Me' chidinma nnorom. courtesy Invisible Borders project 2010.





All images are copyright (c)chidinma nnorom and courtesy IB 2010 project.







Introductory text

From Africa Recovery, Vol.15 #3, October 2001, page 14

(Part of Special Feature: Protecting Africa's Children)

www.africarecovery.org



Looking through these windows called borders…

I have heard and read it, but now I see it clearly. It has been a very wonderful experience for me so far, going through these roads, crossing the ‘borders’, and meeting the people in these lands.

In Ghana, I saw a very different people and environment, very kind and loving, despite an ugly experience we had with the students of Kwame Nkurumah University of Science and Technology. “Freedom and Justice” they say, is their watchword, and I cannot deny that I enjoyed a part of that. Entering the French colonies, I see a very strong influence by the French on these people, and it really tells on their way of life and persons, at the borders, they tend to be so difficult, but what more could it have been? Why were we colonized? We have to face it, build the borders or break them. The choice is ours.

At the Nigerian Embassy in Dakar, Senegal.

With three Nigerian girls in Diemma, Mali. It was so hot and the heat was deafening in that city up to Kaye. It became better when we headed for Bamako, which was relatively cool.


But the journey continues…and I find a more simpler and interesting people to meet and work with. The city of Dakar became more beautiful; it felt like Paris, not surprised anyway, that’s the French for you. At the end, all the places and people looked all the same. It was a very interesting journey for me, and worthwhile too.
Fears had to give way to Courage, and weakness for Strength. Thank God for all, I wouldn't have come back home whole.

‘THE JOURNEY HAS JUST STARTED’…

'why the tie'

'Mind The Ties' series. (Cotonou)

'Bold Africa'

'National Colours' (Bamako)

'We Can't Wait'

'Entrance'

'Time Alone'

'For Water Sake'

'In Waiting'

"Life is not lost by dying; life is lost minute by minute, day by dragging day, in all the thousand small uncaring ways"

Stephen Benet


All images by Nnorom Chidinma. copyright. 2010.