Riverkids Project

Little brother balanced on one hip, wearing her very best PJs for the beach trip. She's a great kid - they all are of course by virtue of being kids, but some of them are brats as well. But this girl has the knack for making a room brighten and she's always kind to the little kids.

The classic pose! Some of the boys took a bunch of these shots when we stopped halfway to the beach. He's about 16 and in Grade 2, the oldest and msot well-behaved boys. He's 'big brother' to the others. An only child, parents still together, and much loved.

The giant cricket pet that made it all the way to the beach and back on the bus. Another 'pet' is to catch a dragonfly and tie a thread to it as a leash.

This is one of my favourite shots from that day, just the clouds in the sky and the smooth gloss of the wet beach.

Ti-ti bore the long van trip there and back with equanimity. It was the waves that she objected to with much chasing and puzzled barking. She guarded the kids paddling and splashed around with them.

The big group shot to go up in the RK house!

She was really upset because she had to stay overnight as it was too late for her to safely cross the river home. Just stood near the door weeping quietly. A couple of kids came and helped comfort her, then Lyna and a housemother swept her up in hugs and she settled after a while.

Tucked up for bed, stuffed toys next to them, blankets being wrestled with and much giggling.

Two of them nicked my camera to take photos. I like this shot because of the affection in it. The cook is one of their favourite people. Hunger is so real and harsh for them, and she's does more than make yummy meals, she reassures them that there's plenty of food.

I don't know if it's her homelife or normal teenage moodiness, but she's one of the quiet kids, and this photo captures that side of her. She's quick to anger, quick to smile. Extremely high risk.

Self-portrait, aged four. She took many photographs and this one isn't blurry or showing her thumb!

The most-played with toy, hands down. This Ernie puppet has been through every kids with grace and the same embroidered felt smile.

The other classic pose. The kids in the back are getting uniforms and schoolbags handed out, while these two vogue for the camera.

That's the handbag of many notepads and pencils. I found that a pencil stub and an index card kept them busy long enough not to try climbing me like monkey bars or asking a million questions.

Hi-yah! They're fooling around with mock fights, but the leaps and kicks are fantastic to watch. There's a great shot of one kids chasing another with a plastic sword, but it's a little too real!

Ah, there she is. Seven months old and a bonny baby. Lyna holding the little girl who was sold for $200.

Back at school! Hair washed and ready for class, but not yet plaited. One of the returned girls.

Another of the returned girls, I think from one of the families with multiple trafficked children.

Camera went off right before she made a big cheeky face. Another returned girl.

Fourth of the returned girls, getting luch which she most definitely needs.

The fifth of the returned girls, I think the last to return and the longest away.

First day of school! Don't forget your schoolbags, please behave and no pushing each other out of the truck!

The three Riverkids children at the mission school. It's in a residential house converted to a school.