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| Justin Mott | VietNamNet Bridge - A visit to Van Canh Friendship Village had touched the heart of US photographer Justin Mott and he decided to do everything he could to help Agent Orange children there.
Photo reportage on Agent Orange children
“I did not take any pictures during the first few days because I was shocked when I saw the children in such a terrible state”. He talked about the photos he had taken at Van Canh Friendship Village which is bringing up Agent Orange children.
“I wanted to do everything I could to make people around the world, especially the American people fully aware of the war’s aftermath. People like me, in the early 30s or even younger, do not know much about Agent Orange. Most of them are surprised by the lingering, mental and physical pains suffered by Agent Orange victims.”
Justin Mott studied journalism at San Fransisco and since 2005, he has been working in Southeast Asia. He is now a representative of the World Picture News in Hanoi. His reportages have been published in a number of newspapers and magazines such as Time, Newsweek, the New York Times, Business Week, L’express, GEO, the UK's Independent and the International Herald Tribune.
Justin Mott is also a cameraman and has made a series of films for Discovery Channel HD and the New York Times.
After visiting Van Canh village, he returned there two more times, each lasting a week. “I spent all day observing and taking pictures which I thought would be very interesting and tried to show the lives of the children and women who I had worked with.”
“The story is not about kids in difficult circumstances. Through pictures of children with disabilities, I want to describe what their lives are like and also to show the lives of the women who take care of these children.”
Justin’s reportage was launched on the website of Newsweek.com and linked to HSVC Humanitarian Services for Vietnamese Children - a NGO in Hanoi run by an American woman, so people can donate money to the children through this organisation.
“Many people emailed me, including Vietnamese people living in San Francisco, and in other States in the US. They said that they were touched by the story and asked how they could help.”
The reportage was also showcased at an exhibition “seven stories” which took place in Hanoi in late June. The exhibition raised funds for Agent Orange children.
Continuing with the theme, Justin made another reportage about an artist in Hanoi who is affected by Agent Orange. He said, “I took pictures and sent them to different NGOs to raise public awareness about the harmful effects of AO. I sent NGOs my reportage or my e-mail address so that people can read it on the website. My role is to send messages to people who are concerned about the AO issue.”
Asked about his visits, Justin said, “I was sad to see the orphanages. I saw little hope for their future as they could not do basic things in daily life like going to the bathroom, eating, sleeping and taking medicine. I really respect the women working in that village because it is a hard job to take care of such children who are living a tough life.”
Justin Mott was in San Francisco when the Vietnamese Agent Orange lawsuit was issued against the American chemical companies. He attended a press conference on the issue. “I could not do much but wish to see more money being raised to support AO victims.”
Love of life in Hanoi
Justin Mott stays in Quang Trung Street in Hanoi. Despite being busy with business, he continues teaching English at Trung Vuong School.
Justin came to Vietnam in 2005 and has had a strong attachment with the country since then. “I went to several places in Vietnam such as Ha Giang, Da Lat, Sa Pa and the Mekong Delta. I just came back from a three-day trip to the Mekong Delta for my story. It is a beautiful place with wonderful people. Here, I did not recreate anything but just stayed there to watch and when something happened, I took pictures. I was really impressed by the landscapes in Ha Giang and Sa Pa. Now back to Hanoi, I love to stay long in the city.”
Justin said he likes coffee shops in Hanoi. “After visiting the countryside for a few days, I like to come back here to relax or sit in front of my computer. I consider the coffee shops as my house. I like to see people around here. Ho Chi Minh City is too hot and too busy, too similar to the US. I like something different. In Hanoi, there is something quite unique.”
Justin has many Vietnamese friends and they are all very helpful. He plans to study Vietnamese to have better communication with people living around him in Hanoi.
(Source: VOV) | 
