Mkuru Training Camp Maasai Tanzania

One Love for Humankind

One love refers to the universal love and respect expressed by all people for all people, regardless of race, creed, or color. —The Urban Dictionary

Anne McCarthy writes: “I realized that the universe is constantly whispering words of love: expressions of pure joy, respect, loyalty, and sacrifice for someone other than ourselves, and instructions on letting go and focusing on what is most important in this world”.

Her remark could not be more poignant today as we face an opportunity to either open the doors and embrace others different from ourselves or build a wall and shut the door. We are at a critical time in history in which more and more democracies including our own are struggling to keep intolerance, injustice and hate out of becoming who we are. With the rise of politicians and people breeding hatred and intolerance of others based on gender, religion, sex and ethnicity, it frightens me. I wonder what kind of world my children will live in. One of ignorance and hate or one of acceptance and love. It is a scary time in history.

Without getting too political or depressing, I wanted to share with you what my belief is in “one love”. Why I believe that we should open our doors to others instead of turn away. The world is an amazing place and a huge part of what makes it so incredibly magical is us. All of us. Not just the white, catholic christians. Everyone. Black, brown, yellow, white. Jewish, Muslim. Christian, Buddhist or atheist. All of us.

That is what one love means.

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Mkuru Maasai Training Camp

Mkuru Training Camp Arusha Tanzania

Mkuru Training Camp Maasai Tanzania

Me and Mary

Mkura Maasi Training Camp TanzaniaKilimanjaro Orphanage Moshi Tanzania

Moshi Tanzania

Of course I couldn’t resist getting my picture taken with these lovely girls.

Kilimanjaro Orphanage Moshi Tanzania

Holding a small child at the Kilimanjaro Orphanage Centre in Moshi, Tanzania.

IMG_2052-1Jamel, Haitipapier-mâché artisans Jacmel HaitiJacmel HaitiP1020353-1

Mosebo Village

In Ethiopia at Mosebo Village. June 2014

Our multi-cultural team to Haiti. How I wish these lovely ladies all lived here!

Our multi-cultural team to Haiti. How I wish these lovely ladies all lived here!

Condoriri Valley Bolivia

Cerro Austria Bolivia

Eugenia, our cook, inside the “kitchen” tent gives us a big smile.

Carnival Port au Prince, Haiti 2015Aymara Women La Paz BoliviaStreet Photography Havana

Sisters in Cuba

Hair Braiding in Havana

Hair Braiding in Havana

Cuban Street PhotographyLos tres amigos de Cuba

How would I have met and talked to Tomas if I was on the bus all day long?

Maria. Guatemala.

Maria. Guatemala.

Honduran childRoutan HondurasXela GuatemalaHonduras

Volunteering in Morocco, I get Henna done.

Volunteering in Morocco, I get Henna done.

Volunteering in Costa Rica

Volunteering in Costa Rica

The Great Wall of China

Entos Eyesu Monastery Lake Tana, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

Smiling at her Polaroid of herself.

Bete Maryam Monastery Bahir Dar Ethiopia

I bought this small painting for my home.

Faces of Ethiopia

This post was inspired by the Weekly Photo Challenge: One Love.

Global Issues Humanitarian SOCIAL GOOD TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY Weekly Photo Challenges