Two Girls + Onlooker, Village near Kairana, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2016

We now have 10 benefactors, and 14 more to go, thanks to our newest addition Nora Mcnamara!

14 More People x $20 per month = Their School (150 Children)

All are welcome to help us make a change in this exquisite village. This will be our model school, and from which we will expand to a deserving 120 villages. We feel this has incredible potential, and want our first school for these very girls to be truly established as a center of learning under the guidance of our dear brother Nirvana Bodhisattva.

These two young girls live in our hosts' village, and we were honored to photograph them early one morning as we visited their Mosque. We arrived well before the students, and witnessed their surprise as they walked into the building. They just stared at me, and wondered what our purpose was perhaps. The leaders of this region have been more than gracious to us, allowing us to make portraits of the boys as well as the girls... an incredible reaction truly.

Now we are moving forward with our first school in the region, thanks to the generosity of the local leaders. They have provided the land and the school building, while Nirvanavan Foundation is moving forward with their expertise in establishing a school.

We welcome all who feel that this might just be a perfect way to make a difference in a small village.

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Young Students + Madrasa, Shamli District, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2016

We now have 9 benefactors, and 15 more to go!

24 People x $20 per month = School for 240 Children

These are the young students to benefit from our generosity, just as we will benefit infinitely in return.

It will be located in the Shamli District of Uttar Pradesh, India. Nirvana Bodhisattva and his team at Nirvanavan Foundation have been invited by the local Muslim leaders in the region to help augment the schools in their region. We are beginning with this school, and will establish it as a center of learning and a model for the other villages in the district. The truth is that there are over 120 villages, and this is only the beginning.

The existing school is a wonderful madrasa for religious learning, and in accordance to the community's desires, Nirvana Bodhisattva will help establish a center of learning which will include Hindi, Math, English and Art. The leaders of the region welcome this interfaith collaboration, and we hope that it is new news rather than the news which concentrates on the division in the region.

The budget for the school is $12,000 and my intent is to raise $6,000 through this circle. The rest will be matched 1:1 through a generous benefactor, thus achieving our budget. The funds are to be raised for the school year of 2018, since our first year has been funded already!

It takes two dozen of us coming together and giving $20 per month. Certainly this is something we can and need to do, for our future depends on the education of our children.

The community leaders have given us their land, and the school for our use. It is a most beautiful space, and the land around the school is beyond serene. All of you may refer to the previous posts for some additional information, and leave a comment if interested of course!

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Young Girls + Refugee Camp, Muzaffarnagar, India, 2013

This was my introduction to the community back in 2013, when most of the displaced families were living in makeshift tents on land provided by our hosts. A friend made this photograph of me with the girls of this camp after we had finished their portraits. For this community we wish to establish a school, and we hope that there are those among us who see the meaning of such work.

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M2.

Students + Boulders, Village near Kisumu, Kenya, 2007

Some years ago I had the privilege of visiting western Kenya with a foundation by the name of Maragoli Community Development Foundation (MACODEF). My hosts took me from one school to another and we did our best to photograph everyone, and I mean everyone!

People came out of the woodwork, from behind trees and boulders. Just when I thought our session was over, I would look over my shoulder and see a dozen more people lining up to have their portrait made. The idea that people would come to see what was happening, then line up as if a photography studio set up for the afternoon, was incredible!

In this photograph the students were finished with their portraits and were just hanging out while watching the boys being photographed. All had the same uniforms, with some minor variances. Everyone was just so kind, and generous with their time.

Between Kenya, Senegal and Gambia, there are thousands of negatives which have never seen the light of day. This is one for tonight, with more to be shared soon.

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Note: This image was made with a Nikon analog system

Young Student, Village near Kairana, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2016

This is one of the boys from the village in which Nirvana Bodhisattva and his team will establish a school. He stands in a room on the roof of his existing madrasa for this portrait, away from the chaos of his friends. The room is sometimes used as a sleeping area for a few boys without homes, as our hosts do what they can for their village.

Over the next few months you will see posts regarding this school, and our hope is that you will join us in this effort. My work in this region began in 2013, and continues to this day. Earlier this year prior to my visit to this village, Nirvana asked if we would be interested in an interfaith effort. This was presented to our hosts and they received his message with open arms.

We then made a visit with Nirvana, and I was a witness to Muslims and Hindus gathering in a mosque to celebrate the idea of this venture. While I was unable to understand what was being said, it was clear to me that all were in agreement. Later on Nirvana helped explain the speeches made, thus confirming my perceptions.

The idea is to do what the local leaders have asked for, and to do so in a manner which is respectful to the community. They have asked us to help in the education of their children, and would like a formal curriculum presented to their children. They have offered any land we wish to use, and the buildings to go along with that land as well.

There are over 120 villages in this area, where there is little in terms of education or opportunity. We wish to help change this, and know we can do so by establishing a center of learning in this region. The news to come out of the area will be vastly different than the most tragic news which the media likes to share with the world... that of sectarian disunity and violence. We have seen with our own eyes the love this community had for us during our visit, and know that this venture can make a difference.

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Three Students + Forest, Village near Kisumu, Kenya, 2007

As we are putting a school together in Asia, my memory takes me back to a school in Africa. This portrait reminds me of the joy within children with access to education. While their school cannot supply them with separate iPads, while their district is unable to provide them with a bus to school, this is the incredible joy and pride they share with the camera for all of us to see. For all of those coming forward to support the education of children through our schools in association with Nirvana Bodhisattva, I dedicate this photograph to the collective you!

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Note: This image was made with a Nikon film camera.

Interfaith Collaboration, Shamli District, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2016

We now have 7 benefactors, and 17 more to go!

24 People x $20 per month = School for 240 Children

These are two of the young students to benefit from our generosity, just as we will benefit infinitely in return. A few minutes ago Mary Tujaka became our sixth person, and gave me some wonderful insight. So with her guidance, I am providing some details regarding this school.

It will be located in the Shamli District of Uttar Pradesh, India. Nirvana Bodhisattva and his team at Nirvanavan Foundation have been invited by the local Muslim leaders in the region to help augment the schools in their region. We are beginning with this school, and will establish it as a center of learning and a model for the other villages in the district. The truth is that there are over 120 villages, and this is only the beginning.

The existing school is a wonderful madrasa for religious learning, and in accordance to the community's desires, Nirvana Bodhisattva will help establish a center of learning which will include Hindi, Math, English and Art. The leaders of the region welcome this interfaith collaboration, and we hope that it is new news rather than the news which concentrates on the division in the region.

The budget for the school is $12,000 and my intent is to raise $6,000 through this circle. The rest will be matched 1:1 through a generous benefactor, thus achieving our budget. The funds are to be raised for the school year of 2018, since our first year has been funded already!

It takes two dozen of us coming together and giving $20 per month. Certainly this is something we can and need to do, for our future depends on the education of our children.

The community leaders have given us their land, and the school for our use. It is a most beautiful space, and the land around the school is beyond serene. All of you may refer to the previous posts for some additional information, and leave a comment if interested of course!

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Young Student, Village near Kisumu, Kenya, 2007

A little over nine years ago I had the privilege of visiting eastern Kenya with the guidance of MACODEF (Maragoli Community Development Foundation). These wonderful people worked on community development near the small town if Kisumu, Kenya. They chose a few villages and concentrated their considerable efforts for their development.

One day they took me to a school knowing that children are of great interest to me. They told me to set up my camera since the children would be running out immediately. They were right, a few minutes after setting up the camera the children began running out one classroom at a time.

A small bench was placed with the beautiful dirt behind the children as the backdrop. We photographed every single child, and they took great pleasure in sitting for the lens even if it was for only a minute or so. This is one portrait from that session, a young boy sitting with pride in front of his friends.

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Note: This image was made with a Nikon F100.

Interfaith Collaboration, Shamli District, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2016

We now have 6 benefactors, and 18 more to go!

18 People x $20 Monthly = 1 School for 240 Children

This is one of the young students to benefit from our generosity, just as we will benefit infinitely in return. A few minutes ago Mary Tujaka became our sixth person, and gave me some wonderful insight. So with her guidance, I am providing some details regarding this school.

It will be located in the Shamli District of Uttar Pradesh, India. Nirvana Bodhisattva and his team at Nirvanavan Foundation have been invited by the local Muslim leaders in the region to help augment the schools in their region. We are beginning with this school, and will establish it as a center of learning and a model for the other villages in the district. The truth is that there are over 120 villages, and this is only the beginning.

The existing school is a wonderful madrasa for religious learning, and in accordance to the community's desires, Nirvana Bodhisattva will help establish a center of learning which will include Hindi, Math, English and Art. The leaders of the region welcome this interfaith collaboration, and we hope that it is new news rather than the news which concentrates on the division in the region.

The budget for the school is $12,000 and my intent is to raise $6,000 through this circle. The rest will be matched 1:1 through a generous benefactor, thus achieving our budget. The funds are to be raised for the school year of 2018, since our first year has been funded already!

It takes two dozen of us coming together and giving $20 per month. Certainly this is something we can and need to do, for our future depends on the education of our children.

The community leaders have given us their land, and the school for our use. It is a most beautiful space, and the land around the school is beyond serene. All of you may refer to the previous posts for some additional information, and leave a comment if interested of course!

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Two Students, Village near Kairana, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2016

These two boys stand to benefit from the school being proposed here. Like so many boys in my work from around the world, they are a mix of naughty and innocent, making for wonderful snapshots truly!

We look forward to establishing a model school in their village, one which will then gain traction in village after village like a virus with a noble purpose. What makes this incredibly important to me is that the community presented this idea to us, rather than the other way around.

Although we only have the view in the direction behind them, rest assured that the entire region looks as beautiful. Fields of wheat extend into the horizon in every direction, up to the shores of the magnificent Yamuna River... where "Krishna and the Gopis also used to play on the banks of the Yamuna as children" like these two very boys.

With your collective help we will establish annual funding for this school, and I will visit in four months to bring the good news to these two boys, and the elders in the previous post.

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

A Girl Named Aachi, Village near Virat Nagar, Rajasthan, India, 2016

My name is Aachi Gurjar, and I am 13 years old. We have nine members in my family. My Father's name is Ram Karan, and my mother's name is Kalli Devi. In my family we are five sisters and two brothers. My father and mother are working as laborers in Kheda village near Virat Nagar, Rajasthan. My family is very poor.

Due to poverty, my elder sister and brother cannot read because during school time, we need to work at our home to earn money. So due to poverty my family is not able to get an education. One day, Krishna told my father about a school in our village. However, my father and mother told her that I did not have time as I take the goats for grazing daily.

Then Krishna, our teacher, told my father and mother that the school starts later, and that I could come easily. My father agreed and enrolled me in the study center. Now I am coming daily to the school, and I am very happy to start a new life. Now I am not only Anchi, but also a student in this school. I and my family are very happy.

My teacher is nice, and she loves us. Here I am learning Hindi, English and Math also. We participate in the Baal Sabha on Saturdays. At the end, I wish to continue my study. I would like to thank this school for giving me the opportunity for an education.

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Note: Image was made with a Sony RX100M2.

Our Elders, Village near Kairana, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2016

"Our time is near its end now... but there is still time for our children, please help educate them."

I remember their words to this day, as we talked about the future school in their village. Their sons and nephews have come together, with their guidance, and have built the school building in which Nirvana Bodhisattva and this community will establish a school for their children.

These two men, and their community, are as interested in educating their boys as they are in educating their girls. They have opened their hearts to us, in the spirit of brotherhood. We wish to repay this gesture with our efforts.

The land behind them is theirs, and they have kindly given of it for this project. The possibilities are immense, as there are over 120 similar villages in this district. Our aim is to establish a model school for 240 children in this very spot, and then replicate its success in village after village.

This region of India has sadly seen more than its share of violence between communities of different faiths, and has been in the center of news all too many times for the wrong reasons. We hope that this project attracts the news outlets, this time for harmony and peace between these communities.

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Boys Will Be Boys, Rural Kisumu, Kenya, 2007

Going through the negatives from almost ten years ago in Kenya has made me want to go back to the continent as well as print some of the negatives never printed. The scenes have a timeless feel to them, and they are complimented by the traditional school uniforms of the students. During my time in Kenya boys and girls were photographed equally, a departure from my work in Asia. The boys were wonderful, and had their own flavor to present. Some were serious, some were withdrawn and some were anything but either such as the young boy in between the two! On this afternoon we visited a school deep in rural Kenya, and made photographs of the students under cloudy skies. We decided to make group photographs to see how individuals in small groups would react to each other. The results were all over the place, and all were wonderful to document. Next year around this time will be my return to the continent, and this time perhaps to the southern half.
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Note: This image was made with a Nikon analog system.

Students + Boulders, Halim Ina, Village near Kisumu, Kenya, 2007

Some years ago I had the privilege of visiting western Kenya with a foundation by the name of Maragoli Community Development Foundation (MACODEF). My hosts took me from one school to another and we did our best to photograph everyone, and I mean everyone!

People came out of the woodwork, from behind trees and boulders. Just when I thought our session was over, I would look over my shoulder and see a dozen more people lining up to have their portrait made. The idea that people would come to see what was happening, then line up as if a photography studio set up for the afternoon, was incredible!

In this photograph the students were finished with their portraits and were just hanging out while watching their friends being photographed. All had the same uniforms, with some minor variances. Everyone was just so kind, and generous with their time.

Between Kenya, Senegal and Gambia, there are thousands of negatives which have never seen the light of day. This is one for tonight, with more to be shared over the next four weeks.

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Note: This image was made with a Nikon analog system.

Syrian Migrants, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, 2009

Plans have finally been made to revisit my homeland, and the birthplace of my photography!

While photography is nearly impossible this time around, due to the tragedy happening next door, the thought of spending days with my cousins fills me with a sincere sense of joy.

We will see what awaits me, and I will have my camera just in case something is possible. In this image are the men from the camp which gave birth to my photography. This is how they receive me for tea upon arrival, with such warmth and generosity.

I look forward to seeing both of my families, and hope to revive my work in this most beautiful of countries.

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Note: This image was made with a Canon G10.

Young Student + Interfaith Effot, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2016

This is one of the students which would benefit from the new interfaith collaboration being proposed by Nirvanavan Foundation and the host villages in Uttar Pradesh, India. We hope that this smile, this spirit helps people understand the meaning of such work, and that we may be able to find the funding necessary to make this a reality for her and so many more like her.

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Note: This image was scanned through the negative sleeves for preview only, made with a Hasselblad 555 ELD/180 mm combination. 

Interfaith Collaboration, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2016

Usually I refrain from posting images of myself with the people, for the people are the central focus of this work. However this is an important image for me, since in the image are three of the most important people for me in India. I am truly honored to be with these incredible men, and hope that our interfaith efforts can gain traction immediately.

The idea is to promote unity rather than division in this hotbed of sectarian violence. My first exposure to the area was in 2013, when I was invited to photograph the refugees of the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots. They were living in tents on the lands of a most generous population, for the local farmers offered their lands without question. The government had yet to do anything at that time, and to this day has done next to nothing as well.

Two of the men in this image offered their own land as well, and continue to do so to this day. They are now focusing on establishing schools in their region, and especially in their village. They brought up the idea of a collaboration, by offering the existing school building and their cooperation in bringing the leaders together.

My dear friend Nirvana, the second person from the left in this image, was also deeply interested in an interfaith effort and presented this to me earlier this year. So when I visited the villages, I spoke with the community regarding this proposal... and they accepted with open arms. Nirvana and his team visited the villages, and were welcomed by an event at the main school.

The leaders spoke at a beautiful event in the mosque, and invited both Nirvana and myself to do the same. While the language was foreign to me, the reactions on the people's faces spoke volumes for me. It was evident to me that all were on the same page, and the feeling was sublime. We hope that we can gain funding for this worthy project, and that we can return in early 2017 with this great news!

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Note: This image was made with a phone camera, thanks to our hosts.

Carbonero, Village near Manzanillo, Cuba, 2016

In this image a man rakes a pile of burnt wood searching for pieces of charcoal, as this is his livelihood. He steps in the middle of incredible heat just to collect enough to support his family. In spite of his difficult life, he embraced our presence and smiled constantly during our visit.

We met him because he was a husband to our new connection in the village. When we drove 12 hours to Manzanillo to photograph a single girl, we never expected to have such access to rural Cuba. Our friends in the city told us about a few villages less than an hour away, and wanted to take us there. We of course accepted and headed to the unknown.

The villages were incredible, as we were made to feel like family. In the morning we photographed our young friend in the city, and for the afternoons we drove out to the villages. We arrived mid-afternoon and walked around making photographs in the fashion of street documentation. It was so liberating to be able to walk around with such freedom, and to make photographs just by speaking with people along the way.

All of the homes were so beautiful, and the families were almost as curious as we were. This reminded me of my first few years in Havana, when the curiosity was mutual. Now of course the capital has changed tremendously, and over the past few years I have been more and more drawn to the countryside.

Next summer we plan to spend at least half of our time in the countryside, both just around the capital and much further out. The anticipation is already palpable, and will certainly increase when the film from this past summer returns processed in a month or so.

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

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Carbonero, Pueblo cerca de Manzanillo, Cuba, 2016

En esta imagen, un hombre rastrilla una pila de madera quemada en busca de trozos de carbón, ya que este es su medio de vida. Da un paso en medio del calor increíble sólo para recoger lo suficiente para mantener a su familia. A pesar de su vida difícil, abrazó nuestra presencia y sonrió constantemente durante nuestra visita.

Nos encontramos con él porque era un marido de nuestra nueva conexión en el pueblo. Cuando conducimos 12 horas a Manzanillo para fotografiar una chica sola, nunca espera que tenga dicho acceso a la Cuba rural. Nuestros amigos en la ciudad nos hablaron de algunos pueblos de menos de una hora de distancia, y querían llevarnos allí. Nosotros, por supuesto, aceptamos y nos dirigimos a lo desconocido.

Los pueblos eran increíbles, ya que nos hicieron sentir como en familia. Por la mañana fotografiamos nuestra joven amiga en la ciudad, y por las tardes nos condujo a los pueblos. Llegamos a media tarde y caminamos en torno a hacer fotografías de la forma de la documentación de la calle. Fue tan liberador para poder caminar con tanta libertad, y para hacer fotografías con sólo hablar con la gente en el camino.

Todas las casas estaban tan hermosa, y las familias eran casi tan curiosos como nosotros. Esto me recordó mis primeros años en La Habana, cuando la curiosidad era mutuo. Ahora, por supuesto, la capital ha cambiado enormemente, y en los últimos años he estado cada vez más atraído por el campo.

El próximo verano tenemos la intención de pasar por lo menos la mitad de nuestro tiempo en el campo, tanto a la vuelta de la capital y mucho más lejos. La anticipación es ya palpable, y sin duda aumentará cuando la película de este verano se procesa en un mes más o menos.

Young Girl + Window, Village near Manzanillo, Cuba, 2016

This past year we were fortunate enough to have visited a new village, thanks in great part to a connection from last year. Once again we drove to the eastern portion of Cuba to photograph a single girl, and this led to a village nearby.

As we walked making photographs of the homes, I noticed a young girl playing in front of one in the distant. Alejandro and the others were far behind me, so I decided to continue walking without making contact. Soon after Alejandro caught up with me and told me that her parents wanted me to photograph her. Nothing could have been more perfect!

We asked to photograph her in the window frame of the home, and they allowed us to do so. She was a natural in front of the lens, and the support of her parents impressed me sincerely. The sun came and went, and we did what we could with the light.

The next day when we stopped once again by the village, and she found us in the street and came running to say hello. A new star for our photography has been born, and we will include her every year from this point forward.

In the end, we made some wonderful contacts in the village, and now have an incredible lead for next summer. While La Habana will always be our home, it is now a base for extending our photography to the countryside. I for one cannot wait for next summer!

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Note: This image was made by Alejandro Godinez Ramos as the young girl was looking my way for her formal portrait. Hopefully this expression was also recorded with film.

Child Laborer + Bricks, Haryana, India, March 16, 2015

She is but one of millions bearing the brunt of globalization, making possible the gleaming buildings rising all across the Indian landscape for example. She works in this position all day under the hot sun, turning one brick after another in a seemingly endless line of bricks, as her fragile body moves along the lines gracefully.

Her family came from the northeastern portion of India in search of work, for back home there was even less. She lacks access to a school, medicine, running water, safe housing, electricity and so much more. Her family lives in a small brick room with a corrugated, metal roof... making the interior unbearably hot. The room lacks windows, yet is unable to protect the children from mosquitos, roaches and the like.

She represents a sizable portion of the population, those responsible for harvesting the rare earth elements for the sake of modern phones, for making the bricks necessary for the gleaming high-rises. She is the price society pays for its progress, hers is the pain few in power will ever see.

So while countless politicians argue about what is to be done, she gets up every single day and pays the price for their inaction with her labor, with the loss of her childhood. For her the new school is being introduced, she is our inspiration.

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Note: This image was made with a Fuji GA645 system, onto Kodak TMX film.

Migrants + Brick Factory, Haryana, India, 2015

On our way to Uttar Pradesh last year, we visited a few brick factories in an attempt to document the families and the conditions in which they existed. Out of the three visited, one allowed us to do so. The owners were quite generous actually, and accepted our presence openly. They invited us for some tea that evening, and arranged for us to do our work in the morning even in their absence.

We arrived as the sun was rising the next morning, and began our photography. The families were mostly from northeastern India and migrated to this region for work. They lived in tiny rooms made with the bricks they produced, enduring endless days of labor. The roofs of these rooms were made of corrugated metal, making them almost unbearably hot... and beyond noisy when it rained.

Under the hot sun they worked, parents alongside their children. These displaced families lacked access to so much many of us perhaps take for granted such as the education for their children, and healthcare for their families. They lived a hand to mouth existence, earning enough each day to barely feed their families and pay their employers for rent and food.

In these two frames we are seeing slavery in its modern form, with countless humans being forced to exchange their labor for the most minimum of existence. I do hope that we will be able to move forward with our interfaith effort in this region, and produce a school for the children of these communities.

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Note: These images were made with a Fuji GA645 system onto Kodak TMX film, scanned for preview through the negative sleeve.