THE BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN OF CAMBODIA

Words: Sarah Pratt

We have never published A Week In Submission quite like this. Whilst volunteering in the village of Por Thom, Patrica Casten captured some extraordinary moments of Cambodia’s beautiful children, and we cannot begin to express how grateful we are to be able to share them with you. At only seventeen, Patrica possesses a great talent for documentary photography – capturing one of a kind photos that are without a doubt some of the most beautiful images we have ever shared. If you too have a series that you would like featured, please email us at submissions@spookmag.com

 

WHO: Patricia Casten.
AGE: 17.
FROM: Melbourne, Australia.
EXPERIENCE: I’ve just always had a camera in my hands.
WHERE: A small school called ‘La Salle’ which is run by a group of religious brothers for the children in the village of Por Thom, Cambodia.
TIME: We spent one week volunteering at the school, teaching and playing with the children. These photos were taken throughout that amazing week.
PEOPLE: Happy, beautiful, Cambodian children.
CLOTHES: All they had.
CAMERA: Canon 550D.
WHY: The world of poverty is a world so often spoke about. A world I know of. I have been told time and time again, “Be grateful for what you have, there are some people with nothing.” However, it wasn’t until I put myself into the shoes of a child living in poverty that I was able to completely understand what it meant to be grateful for what I have. Kids who have absolutely nothing at all, still understand the gift of love, still give, still care and still smile. One girl, who barely had anything to eat all day still offered me a mango. One boy came to school on a Saturday where there were no official classes and kept asking when class would start, showing his determination and eagerness to study and be educated. The children had so little, yet were so happy. I wanted to capture the children’s happiness, love, strength and courage, and that is why I took these photos.
FAVOURITE: Too hard to choose!

http://patriciacasten.tumblr.com/

 

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