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This boy’s smile and his father’s love capture Salt Lake’s unique charitable spirit

Anna Pocaro-Manley, a professional photographer, was asked to take pictures for Dilworth Elementary in Salt Lake City, UT.  Specifically, she was capturing images of her daughter’s first grade class as well as the rest of the school to be used in the Dilworth yearbook. What follows is a story that will tug on your heartstrings.

Anna entered one of the special education classes taught by Noreen Mullen and instantly felt a surge of compassion and love for the students.

As Anna interacted with each child, she was immediately drawn to one boy in particular. His name is Moratai.

“Moratai just melted my heart.  His smile is infectious.  Pure joy is just projected from this boy,” said Anna.  “He inspired me.”

This little boy inspired Anna so much she dug a little deeper to find out more about him. What she found out not only brought her to tears but put her on a new path in her career.

Moratai has been in the U.S. for just a few years.  He is a refugee from Putao in the Kachin State, Myanmar.  The area was settled by the Hkamti Shan people of the country. Hkamti Long is the former name of the area and means “Great Place of Gold” in the Hkamti Shan language.

It is too complicated to go into details here, but the Shan have been engaged in an intermittent civil war within Burma for many years.  During time of conflict, the Shan are many times burned out of their villages and forced to flee.  It was during one of these conflicts that Moratai’s family changed forever.  As the family fled, Moratai’s mother passed away. Moratai’s father, Deezi, carried Moratai in his arms and what little possessions they had  on his back as they narrowly escaped from their small town to Malaysia.

Moratai and Deezi finally arrived in the U.S. after being sponsored by Andrea Leach Globokar who is closely involved with the small Kachin community here in Salt Lake City.

Moratai has also received an incredible amount of medical support from Shriners Hospital for Children here in Salt Lake City.  He has Bilateral Open Lip Schizencephaly.  It is a rare disorder with no known cause or cure.  Symptoms are tight muscles and atrophy but can also include mental retardation, seizures, and partial to complete paralysis.

Despite all of the challenges faced by this boy and his father, the infectious smile remains.  Moratai and Deezi are grateful for a loving and supportive community.  Grateful for quality education and medical care.  Most of all, grateful to have each other.

Anna’s journey as a cancer survivor, her experience meeting Moratai and working with Make a Wish Foundation to shoot their wish kids last year inspired Anna to form Pixel Hugs.  A charitable organization (applying for 501c3 status) offering professional photography services to families with children facing unique health challenges.

Capturing beauty in the struggle is Pixel Hug’s mission and Anna’s years of photo experience, keen eye, and love for people enable her to share her talent in a unique way.

According to Moratai’s sponsor, Andrea Leach Globokar, “without the Pixel Hugs organization, there is no way Deezi and Moratai could ever afford a professional photograph.  Deezi is thrilled and beyond forever grateful.”

If you would like to sponsor a child or family and give the gift of professional photography services, visit www.pixelhugs.org.