Photo shoot in an S.O.S. Children's Village - Maarten Schäfer

Photo shoot in an

S.O.S. Children’s Village - Maarten Schäfer

Chad has a chequered history marked by civil unrest, instability, poverty and, more recently, streams of refugees flowing in from neighbouring Sudan. Recent developments suggest Chad may be entering a period of greater stability and prosperity. For the time being, however, tourism remains virtually non-existent in Chad, making it difficult for visitors like us to discover the country.

At the hotel N’Djamena, I meet Zaid who gives me some interesting insights into the country. Half-Ethiopian, half-German, Zaid combines European efficiency with an African heart – a perfect mixture in Chad. He suggests I visit the SOS Children’s Village. “Spending just an hour with those kids gives me enough energy to face anything for the rest of the week,” he says.

The village, situated on the outskirts of the capital at the end of a dirt road, consists of 12 houses, each housing 10 children and one ‘mother’ who takes care of them. Aged up to 14 years old, most of these children were picked off the street and have harrowing personal stories.

In the village, they receive schooling, proper medical care, and regular meals. “But most of all it gives them the opportunity to grow up in a safe environment,” adds Abdelkerim, the village director, whom the children call ‘father’.

I tour the village and am struck by how polite all the kids are, shaking hands with a smile and a cheerful “Bonjour!” I meet some of the mothers and more kids who soon get used to my presence and start coming closer, touching me, smiling, laughing and playing. But as soon as I want to take a picture they freeze and start posing awkwardly.

In order to dispel this camera shyness, I give them my compact camera so they can take pictures of each other and of me. “I want to be a photographer when I grow up!” one of them shouts.

After half an hour the kids are used to the cameras and I start taking portrait photos. While their young faces show signs of their past suffering, their broad smiles are little rays of hope for a brighter tomorrow for Chad.

Maarten Schäfer Author - ‘Around the World in 80 Brands’ Inspirational Speaker