In October 2017 I traveled to Puerto Princesa in the Philippines for 14 days. I noticed there was a lot of fatherless children living in poverty, many of whom were the offspring of sex tourists. I met many young mothers with children of dual nationalities who had similar stories regarding their children's fathers. Men who make promises but then never return to care or fund their childs welfare, as they have no legal obligation to provide for their children it is very easy for them to simply disappear. This is a social issue on a national scale and is particularly rife in places like Manila, Angles City and Cebu.

I am travelling back in March for a personal photography project creating portraits of these children and their mothers. As I didn't know my own father until I was 8 years old I can strongly relate to the concept. When I'm there I want to give something back, I don't just want to take photos and leave. I want to provide 5-10 of these children with digital cameras to explore photography and experiment with. I feel it is important to give them a creative means that can help express themselves. It is believed that witnessing parts of the Philippines through their eyes and allow them to document their everyday life will transcend into some very interesting and reflective results. Any funding not used within the trip will be used to create an exhibition highlighting the best images and give credit to the creators. The show will be held at Puerto Princesa and Cardiff, UK and will provide very truthful, informative and influential perspectives regarding fatherless life in poverty. If I can convince just one man with a child abroad to start taking responsibility for that child and provide them a better life then I will consider the project a success. The show will be scheduled for 2020 and we will be following the progress of our chosen child photographers over that time and provide them with continued support.

Please help me provide just a few children there with access to the power of photography and curate an exhibition of the work. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and consider donating.