Amnesty International has launched our new multi-media piece for the International Day of the Disappeared that looks at impunity for conflict related abuses in Nepal. Working with Purnimaya Lama (whose husband was abducted and killed by member of the Communist Party of Nepal — Maoist), and local photographer Nayan Tara Gurung Kakshapati, the piece tells a story of what it is like to be left behind, uncertain of what the future holds?

This video was produced with photographer Valeria Turrisi (of the Italian NGO, CESVI)  for presentation during the Copenhagen Climate Conference in December 2009.

Managed a surprise ticket home for the holidays which was a blessing since I haven’t been with my family for Christmas in about 4 years. Was resistant to cross that great of a distance after just leaving the states, Ohio in December… pass. I finagled a work around though and met my mom in Florida after completing some work. Ahh, the best of both worlds; good ol’ double dip.

Its funny how the dynamic changes with our parents as we age, she’s all too eager to let me drive (figuratively) while before there was only denial of said “key”. She’s now the proud owner of a new passport and I’m excited to be the one who made its existence a necessity.* We traveled in Mexico and Honduras then hit up the Bahamas (for her sake), twas a grand ol’ time I must admit. And so Mom, now that you’ve seen me (as I live and breathe) and spent too much time in small rooms with one bed; I just wanted to let you know where I was and what I did… I know how much you worry.

*Apparently, only 1 in 10 Americans owns a passport. Really?!… that make me sad. America, you don’t know what your missing. Get out there! Bear witness to the world instead of the 3 minute clip on YouTube. Better yet, stay tuned and I’ll show you what your missing.

Unfortunately, I have not made much effort to share my experiences from the past 2 years which is sad because they were, indeed, monumental (to me). I have spent most of that time working in Asia and altering my every perception of the world in which we live, it was a mixed bag of aimless wandering and tireless work. I have since set up shop in Nepal… a place where few associations can be drawn with my former life in middle America (Ohio, sigh). I have surrendered though and emersed myself in this place, the language and the amazing charachters that crowd with me through the maze of Kathmandu.

Please don’t give up on my intermittent posting, I have now renewed my commitment to the blogosphere.

Here’s a link to evidence of my existence  prior to today. It would seem that my last reality was at the Concord Monitor in New Hampshire.

Pema Tamang, 26, has been living in the  Beldangi refugee camp in Southeastern Nepal since being exiled from his home in Bhutan 18 years ago.  He now prepares to move his family to the United States of America as part of a resettlement plan where he will again build a new life in a foreign place. “I’m scared it is too different there, but the most big change will be a opportunity,” Pema said.

Coverage of the 2008 New Hampshire Primary for the Concord Monitor which includes “Day in the Life” photo essays on candidates; John McCain, Dennis Kucinich, Ron Paul and Mitt Romney.

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For seven years Florence Abel, 89, of Owensboro, Ky. has been slipping away from memory and mind. As the final stages of Alzheimer’s disease takes hold and she loses all that is familiar, she can still rely on one of the most consistent themes of her life, compassion.

Eastern Kentucky has been misunderstood. Beneath the social stigmas of poverty, abuse of the land and an uneducated population lies the actual reality- a tradition where pride, work ethic and community hold people together.

This Boy’s Life

Tucked away in the hills of Appalachia, Dalton Caudill spends his days in Dry Fork Hollow, Ky. like any other five-year-old would. He shares a two-bedroom house with seven family members spanning three generations. Money is scarce in the family but they are never left for want. Dalton is clothed. He is fed. And he is loved.