Sisters + Students, Humana People to People, Rajasthan, India, November 12, 2013

The evening before was spent with these sisters and their friends from the village. This photograph was made in the courtyard of their previous school, with the invaluable help of their former teacher. The older sister has known me since 2006, and remembers the story she once told me years ago as we were about to leave for the day, right in front of this courtyard.

The story goes something like this: Before the school for girls in her village, she used to take very little care of herself, work twelve or more hours per day and have little motivation for anything more than the day to day. With the introduction of the school she began to take care of herself more so, wash her hair and take joy in the few hours of education provided to her with the permission of her parents. Now her sister attends school and is following in her footsteps.

I remember this story like it was yesterday, her expression of hope and her resilience… to this day it is evident.