Torina's World - A Child's Life in Madagascar

Torina's World: A Child's Life in Madagascar

This children's book, photographed and compiled by Joni Kabana, documents a day in the life of Torina, a Malagasy girl living in the bush area of Madagascar.

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Historical context of project

Joni Kabana is a photographer who loves to travel to places that challenge her beliefs and comfort level, whether it is within the mountains of Bhutan, or to a remote Malagasy ritual. Citing the need to "influence the heart and the eye", she at times does not choose to take her camera with her, and engages with people to simply better understand their culture.

In March 1996, Joni spent a month in Madagascar. Her intention was to bring back images depicting how people live in remote areas of a developing country. An eight year old Malagasy girl named Torina helped Joni break down cultural barriers and capture images in intimate settings. When Joni arrived back home, her nine-year-old son, Ben, helped edit the images into a book and together they added simple text meant to engage young children across the world.

Originally self-published in 1997, the first run of books quickly sold out to schools, libraries and individuals and Joni and Ben went on to other activities. After ten years, Torina, from her very remote village, somehow got a letter translated and sent to Joni, asking her to return. Joni returned to see Torina, this time taking Ben with her. Torina was still living in the same small hut, but by then the family had grown to include seven brothers.

Ben is now a copywriter and production manager in Amsterdam. Torina received money for her education and lives in a village near her family in Madagascar. Arnica Creative published a new hardback release of the book. Proceeds from book sales provide funding for small projects in Africa. The book also serves as a multi-cultural teaching aid to children and adults.

Testimonials

" The children were all very enthusiastic about the book and what is so nice, is that the photos and texts appeal to children (and adults) of all ages. The pictures give them a really inside insight into a child's life in Madagascar and the texts really invite children to tell about their own lives. Most reactions were on the pictures of the house and the mat. They could hardly imagine how a whole family lives in this house and sleeps all together on these mats. And at the same time the daily life situations and the expressions on the faces of the people feel so similar that children also become aware that we have got so much in common with people from all over the world. So we were all really impressed by this book and I will keep reading it to the children of our school. Thanks a lot for this beautiful window into another culture!"

Ageeth Verbruggen, English teacher, Willemsparkschool, Amsterdam, Holland

"I want to express how much your book touched the children of the school. The pictures and the simplicity of the text has given the children in my school new "eyes" to help them to truly see into the lives of the children of Madagascar. They are still talking about your visit three months ago. The fact that the children were so moved by your presentation that they decided to have a fund raiser. It is wonderful to see children have compassion for other children in the world. Thank you for touching the children through your book."

Marilyn Partridge, teacher, Gearhart Elementary

"This book shows how other children live (and survive) with so much less than we have, and still experience happiness. There's a whole world out there exisiting on the bare minimum of life's material things."

Maggi White, Oregon Public Broadcasting Host

"Torina World shows children and adults alike that by being close to the heartbeat of girls around the globe, and through the pure act of connecting with them, witnessing, and supporting their lives and dreams, this story will help bring forth the compassionate, interconnected world we all yearn for."

Jensine M. Larsen, Founder and CEO, World Pulse Media: Connecting Women to Transform Our World.

"Bravo! This tender, heartfelt story in words and pictures raises the issue of children's needs worldwide, while engaging the reader in a global conversation. It subtly poses the question: Can we dream a world where the basic needs of all children are met? Torina's World belongs in schools and bookstores everywhere!"

Mary Ann Lynch, founder, Not for Profit Photography Network: Photographers Seeking Social Change

"Torina's World stands out with its simple approach to opening people's eyes on how different lives are all around this world. The photographs are meaningful, and very moving. In fact, you don't really see who Torina is - you see the whole country, and its people through this "talking" album. Misaotra betsaka, Joni!"

Xavier Louis, Madagascar Associate Peace Corps, Director for Education

"The natural questions that arise when viewing these thought-provoking photos are an ideal first-step for children to begin discovering the vast differences and common values among peoples around the globe. Although rhythms and traditions may vary, children looking at these photos will see that all children dream, learn, play, and help their families.

As Joseph Wresinski once said, The world will change one day because we will have listened to children. The conversations this book will start are sure to sow seeds of peace and respect among cultures."

Diana Skelton and D'Ange Rambelo, ATD Fourth World-Madagascar and www.tapori.org

"The tenderness with which Torina's daily life is photographed gives us all a glimpse into the Malagasy way of living and gently invites us to reflect upon cultural nuances and, more importantly, our sameness when it comes to human feelings. Joni teaches a valuable lesson through her work and brings awareness to the best investment we can make: helping provide educational funding for girls in developing economies."

Darcy Winslow, Nike Foundation

"Torina's World: A Child's Life in Madagascar is what every photographer strives for - creating a book filled with images that offer much more than can be said with a thousand words.
Joni's ability to capture the essence of the village's humanity and to communicate a young girl's story reflects her passion for sharing her subjects' lives through photography."

Larry Padgett, Executive Director, The Center for Fine Art Photography

"What a wonderful way to learn to read. And for the youngest children to be read to. The exquisite photographs and non judgemental style do a great job of showing American kids another culture. Hopefully by learning about the rest of the world at such a young age, it won't seem so alien to them when our kids grow up."

Ben Cohen, cofounder, Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream

"Images have an unrivaled power to tell a story, frame an issue, and make an intimate connection. The images and words in Torina's World: A Child's Life in Madagascar offer readers a respectful, humane experience and a rest from our daily barrage of cluttered, thoughtless media."

Vanessa M. Hughes, Co-Founder of MediaThink; The Northwest Media Literacy Center

"Torina's World: A Child's Life in Madagascar is a magical book that helps readers, young and old, visualize what it would be like to live in a developing country where securing each day's meal takes extraordinary energy and community participation. It is remarkable to see such an important message of appreciation and concern for others elicited in such a simple, yet impacting, manner."

Thomas Bruner, CEO American Red Cross, Oregon Trail Chapter

"I am certain that Torina's World: A Child's Life in Madagascar will find a place in school libraries and classrooms all over the country, especially with the current push for multicultural books. There is a demand for these wonderful pictures (and the great critical thinking questions that you've attached to each one) for the youngest ones! I have introduced the book to teachers all over the Northwest and have always found that everyone I talk to is very excited about the format and quality of the book."

Barb Swanson Sanders, Independent Consultant and National Presenter

"The teachers were buzzing about how well the day went and when I slipped in... I could see for myself how well the experience was going for the youngsters... Joni, you were terrific with the children and a great role model."

Dave Pagni, West Linn Wilsonville School District Community Partnership Coordinator, regarding a book reading Fall 2006.