I first came to the West Bank in August 2005 as part of an international voluntary work camp. For almost three weeks I, along with approximately 30 other people from around the world, spent time with the children from New Askar Refugee Camp. While we were there, we painted one of the walls of the camp’s social center. Every day, I took a panoramic photo of the wall in various stages of completion.

When I returned to the United States, I wanted to find some way to thank the people of the refugee camp for having us and for giving us an experience we would remember for the rest of our lives. So I decided to take the photos of the wall, make it into a poster and then sent it, country by country, around the world so that all of the international volunteers would have a chance to sign it. I don’t remember all of the countries it visited but I know it made a few stops in the United States, made its way through several European countries, and even traveled as far as South Korea. After many months (actually close to a year, I think) of coordinating shipments from person to person, it finally ended up back at New Askar Refugee Camp where it was framed and hung on the wall.

Now, almost 5 years later, I finally got a chance to see it the other day, hanging in the social center of New Askar Refugee Camp. I’ve included photos of the poster and the wall as it exists today…

Click on each image for a larger version…

Being a freelance photographer gives me a degree of freedom that might not otherwise be possible. However, that also means that I am often forced to finance my own projects. If you enjoy my work, please consider making a donation.