Tristan Rodney poses with his award for 'Best Photograph' in the 2006/2007 Youth Zoom Competition, 'Poverty - Two Old Ladies' - Contributed

BREEZY HILL Clarendon:

Even before young photojournalist Tristan Rodney snapped the image that won him the top individual prize for Best Photo in the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Foundation 2006/2007 Youth Zoom photography competition, he clearly understood the importance of advocacy.

The Clarendon College fourth former and hundreds of other students who entered the competition had received training in photography and comprehensive instruction on how to articulate the plight of their subjects.

What Tristan was yet to grasp, however, was the power of his photograph. Nor did he realise the extent to which his entry, 'Poverty - Two Old Ladies', would prompt collective action to transform the harsh reality of the subjects - two elderly women - Elizabeth 'Liz' Hall, more than 90 years old, and her caregiver Maude 'Dora' Powell, who reside in Breezy Hill, Four Paths, Clarendon.

Not only did Tristan win the competition, with his school earning most of the prizes, but his first attempt at advocacy paid off.

On reviewing the photograph, the JNBS Foundation was compelled to visit the ladies at their home to assess their living conditions. And, on establishing the need, sought collaborative assistance from Food For the Poor, who agreed to accompany the team on a second visit.

Heart-rending

What they found was heart-rending. Two high-spirited, yet grossly deprived ageing women, living alone in an untenable situation.

Liz and Dora have lived together for two years, as Dora who was first engaged as a 'days worker' is no longer able to make the daily trip down the steep walkway to her own home two miles away at the bottom of the hill. Neither has received medical care in years, and the house in which they reside is in a state of disrepair, with dangerously widening gaps in its walls.

There is no furniture inside the structure with the exception of two very old beds where the ladies lay their heads at night.

An outdoor makeshift toilet about 60 feet away in the woods cannot be used at night, and is generally a difficult trek for the feeble women. They cook sparse meals on a fireside outdoors, and Dora accesses water from a standpipe on neighbouring lands, but is only able to collect small amounts at a time.

On further investigation, the group discovered that the women had not eaten anything substantial for the entire day. "A bush tea me have, and me hungry bad," said the frail Liz.

Two members of the party immediately travelled to the nearest store and returned with food supplies for the two.

hardy women

Liz and Dora are two hardy women who have survived and really deserve a better quality of life. It isn't often that you find a ninety-year-old relying on an eighty-year-old caregiver.

Moved by the plight of the two ladies, the response from Food For the Poor (FFP) was positive and immediate.

FFP will provide the senior citizens with a two-bedroom, two-bathroom home. The home will be furnished with new beds, lamps, armoires, chest of drawers, night stands and wardrobes, a sofa, a gas stove, towels and linen, pillows and blankets, table and chairs, food items and utensils. Additionally, arrangements will be made for them to receive medical examinations and treatment.

Tristan Rodney, the catalyst in this instance, is overwhelmed that his photograph has had such a meaningful impact on the lives of the women.

"I felt really saddened by their condition, an I never dreamt the shot could change their lives in such a big way, I secretly hoped it could bring them some relief," the Clarendon College student explained.

"As our essay stated, the look on the faces of the poor made them seem like they had lost all hope. I am overjoyed that my photo not only gave them hope, but got the attention of people who can do something about their plight," said Tristan.

Tristan, who is now in fifth form and a prefect, also won a bronze medal in the 2006 JCDC Visual Arts Competition for his entry, and is seriously considering a career in photojournalism.

The other members of the team from Clarendon College were Rubiann Mitchell, Melicha Smith, Kamesha Robinson and Nikesa Nelson. Their photographic essay highlighted the negative societal impacts of poverty.

Youth Zoom workshops will be held between October and November this year, and the deadline for submission of entries is December 7.

- Contributed