The magazine of the art-form of the photo-essay
“A free, really high quality photo-essay magazine. Fabulous!”
Stephen Fry. British actor, writer and film & documentary maker
Feb 2014 back issue
by Catherine Karnow
Please consider contributing to this deeply important cause.
40 years after the end of the Vietnam War, Agent Orange continues to have a devastating effect on thousands of
Vietnamese people. Passed down genetically with no end in sight, second and third generation babies are born with
terrible diseases and deformities.
For a major photo/video project, I need your support to raise $27K by March 4th. This is one of the greatest atrocities
of the 20th century. YOU CAN HELP. My video here will make you weep. Time is getting short. No contribution is too
small. https://indievoic.es/projects/project_home/35/D
This is the story of the lives of two families who struggle with diseases associated with Agent Orange. During the
Vietnam War, the U.S military sprayed some 12 million gallons of the Agent Orange defoliant over Vietnam. Now,
almost four decades later, the toxic herbicide continues to have a devastating effect on thousands of Vietnamese
people. Passed down genetically, Agent Orange has caused various diseases and deformities in three generations of
Vietnamese families. As an American, I feel a responsibility to expose this horrifying problem, and to help bring about
real change. Through photography and the voices of the victims and their families, I know that we can bring much
more support than now exists. In a more immediate way, I can see the way that my photographs bring a sense of
affirmation to these individuals who are suffering in illness and isolation. I worked with the organization, Children of
Vietnam http://www.childrenofvietnam.org/ who help these families enormously. Quite simply, they address the
specific needs of each child and each family in the areas where the Vietnamese government allows them to serve.
The family of Nguyen Thi Ly receives care, while the family of the two boys, Tan Tri and Tan Hau do not live in the
district served by Children of Vietnam, and as a result the family suffers greatly from lack of emotional, nutritional and
monetary support.
Looking in the mirror, it is unclear how Nguyen Thi Ly, 9, regards herself. Nevertheless, she takes great care with her
appearance, wearing the same pretty (faux) pearl bracelet and necklace each day.
This is the story of lives of two families who struggle with diseases associated with Agent Orange. While one family
receives care and support, the other receives very little - both bearing a terrible burden. Although the United States'
government is finally addressing this issue, it is hoped that imminent funding will help more of the victims of Agent
Orange.
Nguyen Thi Ly does her homework at her desk in the living room; a studious girl, she is provided with a tutor by the
NGO 'Children of Vietnam'.
Nguyen Thi Ly visits a local clinic regularly where she and her mother are informed that Ly must eat more and gain
weight so that she will be able to have a needed operation to open up her chest cavity to heal her of respiratory
problems.
At the local clinic the other patients stare at Ly's disfigured face.
Both Nguyen Thi Ly, 9, and her mother, Le Thi Thu, 39, are afflicted with diseases associated with Agent Orange,
passed down from Le Thi Thu's father, who was a soldier in the Vietnam War. Danang, Vietnam.
Though Ly often gets fatigued in school, she is nevertheless a good student and a popular girl, the leader amongst
her friends; she's the one who decides what games will be played during recess.
Nguyen Thi Ly loves to run and play, despite her mother's worries that Ly overexerts herself.
Ly mostly has a happy disposition. A neighbor brought over a bag of chicks as a present.
To move about inside the house, Tan Tri pushes himself along on the floor.
Tan Tri is unable to walk; his mother, Vo Thi Nham carries him everywhere when they are inside the house.
Vo Thi Nham wonders how she will be able to continue to care for her children when she gets older and less strong,
and her sons gets bigger and heavier. She also worries who will care for her and her husband when they are elderly.
Tan Tri and Tan Hau cannot go to school and there are no facilities where they can go either for recreation, friends or
physical therapy, so they spend their days doing very little inside the house.
Tan Dong, 49, massages Tan Hau's legs before exercising his son in the walker. Tan Tri, 21, looks on.
Vo Thi Nham, 44, twice a day massages her sons, Tan Tri, 21, and Tan Hau, 15, who are afflicted with diseases
associated with Agent Orange. The boys cannot walk and have limited mental abilities. The parents were both
exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. Danang, Vietnam.
Vo Thi Nham showers her son, Tan Tri. He is unable to care of himself at all. The family receive very little support from
either the government or private foreign NGOs.
Tan Hau, 15, loves playing with colored blocks at the rehabilitation clinic. His mother brings him here daily.
Vo Thi Nham helps her son, Tan Hau, at the rehabilitation clinic. At the rehabilitation clinic there are no physical
therapists, so Vo Thi Nham goes through the same routine with Tan Hau, first helping him walk with the walker in a
tour of the clinic.
At the rehabilitation clinic Vo Thi Nham must act as physical therapist for Tan Hau, every day working with him to
strengthen his legs and frail body.
