What comes to mind when you think of Africa?

Poverty, starvation, disease, AIDS, corruption, dictatorship, civil wars… such are the images that hace defined our perception of one of the greatest continents on Earth. In the developed world, we are tired of hearing about such a self destructive part of the world. All too often, if we are not overwhelmed with a feeling of sadness, our thoughts turn to the nature reserves and game parks, possibly the continent’s rich reserves in natural resources. Neither of these images is worthy of Africa.

Africa Awakes
brings together the power and sheer scale of Africa as well as the energy and fire of the ancient and the new. Africa is 53 countries, 20% of the world’s land, 800 million people, the oldest continent on Earth, the cradle of mankind where we took our first steps. Africa Awakes is a series of photographic exhibitions which portrays the profound distortions that exist that exist in today in Africa and brings to the forefront the reality of life in Africa through the eyes of the people, through their customs. It is raw and compelling, highlighting the challenges and the contradictions facing Africa as well as the confrontation between tradition and contemporary.

Africa Awakes is a series of exhibition created to support the work of two non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and NWI

ICROSS is an International organisation working to combat poverty and disease in some of the poorest countries on Earth. For 30 years ICROSS has worked with communities in Africa and Asia fighting disease and extreme poverty. Health professionals work with local communities in long term development and health programmes. We have now created New World International (NWI) to bring together professionals from every creative and artistic background in channeling their skills aand energies to fight suffering and misery throughout the world. A collaboration of artists and a consortium of professionals fro every walk of life are working together to change the world. With yor help they can do so much more. ICROSS is a registered as a charity in Ireland, Canada, USA, Kenya, and Tanzania.

How can you help?

We have been fortunate enough to visit a photographic exhibition in Paris of talented Italian Photographer, Manuel Scrima, (www.manuelscrima.com) who’s work portrays a heart warming and exciting snapshot of Kenyan people. His photographs capture and fuse the vitality, culture and essence of colour that is the huge melting pot of Africa. You can taste the personalities of the people portrayed in a way I only thought possible if you were face to face with them , these images are profound and bursting with warm vitality.

Africa Awakes is a series of exhibitions created in December 2007 by Manuel Scrima, an Italian photographer and today newly appointed manager of Create Africa, to support the work of two African non-governmental organisations (NGOs): ICROSS (International Community for the Relief of Starvation and Suffering) and NWI (New World International).

You can buy images, and calendars on www.africa-awakes.com

You can donate money online on www.nwikenya.com