Gabrielle Elkaim

Child of Africa, I grew up in Zimbabwe, however, owing to circumstances, my roots have been somewhat severed, and I have become a child of the world: unaffiliated to any one country, and with a love of many.

Eternal student of the world and traveller. Moving around for much of the past 8 years, on a journey of self-discovery, but also with the intention of finding that place where I will one day settle, if only in part, so that I will learn once again, what it is to have roots, and not wings alone.

Africa. A continent of stark and brutal images. I have witnessed the effects of colonialism and racism. I have seen first-hand the results of corruption and the brutality perpetrated by dictators. My journeys have shown me the striking contrasts of life in the Third World – the abject poverty, illness, and brutality of life in certain places, and the hopes, aspirations, and optimism of people in others. I grew up witnessing the ravages of HIV/AIDS, life lost, children orphaned, no food, no water, no security, nothing but that which is inherent in every living being: the will to survive another day, and to hope.