Moses was given a camera to document aspects of his life of his choosing. Here, through a translator, he explains his photos and their significance.
The first pictures show a couple of buildings– one is made out of wood and the other is a blocks, but it’s uncompleted. Before I had my accident, I was on the project of building. And because of my disability now, and the money I can’t get, I am not able to continue the building. So I am now in the one with the wood. And I would love to show that to people.
I [also] have pictures of some roads and pathways that I took, and I am saying because I limp on a stick – I have a third leg which is the stick – I can’t really walk on those roads.
I have pictures of myself at the charcoal site […] and that’s the job I am currently doing for a living. I have no job due to my leg, and I can’t just sit down and not do anything, so I am now into the charcoal business. And I am sharing it with someone, it’s a joint partnership. I don’t really get the full profit from the charcoal because I am sharing it with someone; I get about 50 cedis.
[…Sometimes getting] the money from the people who come to buy the charcoal is also difficult. Sometimes you have to go to them, they will tell you: ‘Oh OK I will purchase the charcoal but I’ll pay later’; maybe a week or two and the person hasn’t paid. So in those times I have no money on me[…].
[Aside from] the charcoal business I also farm, but I have trouble farming. Sometimes I find it difficult to weed and things because of my disability but I force myself to do some small farming and through this farming I can get foodstuff like maize and cocoyam and yam, sometimes plantain too, to support the family. And I sell the maize. And the maize, my highest harvest is just two bags […which I get] 12 cedis out of that amount[…].
[Finally] I have taken a picture of a pathway. This pathway has a bridge on it, and I find it difficult to cross because of my leg and how I walk with a stick[…]. That’s why I took the picture. So I would love if I could get some assistance, or people to help me do the bridge. And that’s the thing, that bridge leads to my farm and also back to my house.
Focusing a Lens on Ability 