Ivory Coast RPCV Skyler Badenoch prepares photographic book of children of the world at play
Photo book of kids at play worldwide is nearly done
Lois McFarland
Special for The Republic
Jan. 23, 2004 12:00 AM
Skyler Badenoch of Scottsdale has traveled thousands of miles to nearly 18 countries with pen and paper in hand, toting the bags and assisting a photographer.
The 26-year-old is accompanying Japanese photographer Ayumi Nakanishi, 32, on a project that will conclude a 100-page photographic book of children of the world at play.
Nakanishi's parents own Bornelund Toys, a global toy company that plans to celebrate the 25th anniversary of business by publishing the coffee-table book.
Proceeds from sales will go to an orphanage in Cambodia.
Badenoch interviews kids, logging names, and documenting the games and rules they play. He'll be writing the book's documentary script.
They're now in the final phase of the journey that began at the end of October.
The pair started 2004 in San Francisco, then headed for Peru, Chile, Costa Rica, Belize, Mexico City and will finish the project next week in the Valley photographing Native American children.
"What we really try to do is take pictures of children playing in all kinds of environments, whether rich or poor," Badenoch said while visiting his parents, Patty and Don Badenoch, for the holidays. "We've gone to day care centers, orphanages, schools, villages and family homes just to get a flavor.
"We've walked through neighborhoods and we've spent a significant amount of time with families to document the daily life of their children.
"We have seen kids playing in modern amusement parks, riding roller coasters and playing video games."
Both agree the most popular sport in the world is soccer played with any kind of round object.
"Sometimes they have traditional Western soccer balls," he said. "In Morocco, we came across two kids playing in the street with a plastic bottle for a ball. I felt it showed the spirit of children."
Kids everywhere love to have their pictures taken.
"So we never have to offer any bribes, nor would we ever want to," he said.
The collection of more than 10,000 photographs range from infants to 12-year-olds.
While visiting an African village near Bondoukou where he served 18 months in the Peace Corps, Ayumi was able to get pictures of children carrying babies, which is their system of caring for one another.
Returning to the village where in the Peace Corps he developed a nutrition project and educated people about HIV "was an emotional, happy and nostalgic experience," he said.
"I've kept a journal each day," he said, "and I plan to give it to her family as a gift. This has been one incredible and personal experience. I'm sure it will continue to change my life."
