Woman + Business Plan, Halim Ina, Humana People to People India, Rajasthan, India

This wonderful woman has used her small loan to purchase this animal, and has done well for herself. In collaboration with Humana People to People India she has been able to enhance her ability to provide for her family. 

Etsy 

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A Meal, Humana People to People India, Rajasthan, India, 2006

In an uncertain present I take comfort in looking back at better times. Somehow this past predicts a better future, one where we can once again sit down together and enjoy such a meal. Thus image goes back to my first year in India, when even my snapshots were made on film, with a Contax G2 in this example. The Humana India team was making lunch for the village, and the smell was fantastic. We were there to support a school for girls and are still doing so to this day, 14 years later!

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Students + Landscape, MP, India, 2016

Last year we had the privilege of visiting MP with the guidance of Humana India. Thanks to Mukesh Poswal, we were able to make some memorable portraits. Mainly we visited schools set up by Humana India, in order to help out of school children mainstream into the government system. We were able to visit more than a dozen schools... and make include the children in the photography.

My hope is that these children were able to mainstream into the existing school system, and that the work of Humana People to People India benefited the communities in the intended manner. Perhaps next year we will be able to visit once again, and thanks to that visit we will be able to proceed with the program in Uttar Pradesh in a more learned manner.

This past week we have had fruitful conversations with the four communities and hope to proceed as planned. In one village the existing madrasa is poised to include a formal curriculum, while in the other three sewing classes have been discussed as an entry into the communities. For those of you who have donated your efforts on behalf of this movement, we thank you and will share images soon.

We began with one, and now have four included in the conversation!

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Young Woman, Humana People to People India, Madhya Pradesh, India, 2016

This past week my work with Humana People to People India began, and in the beautiful state of Madhya Pradesh. This is my first time in the part of the country, and the experience so far has been incredible. The landscape is unlike any other in my travels, and the culture is so different.

For example, the brick factories here are nothing like those in other parts of India. The bricks are produced for use within the communities, rather than mass produced with the labor of those outside of the communities. The tall towers are missing, and both genders work together in unison.

Also, love marriages are the norm in this region rather than the exception. This was quite shocking to my two friends from Rajasthan and Delhi, and a delight for all of us to learn.

So this afternoon we visited one school in Barwani with the help of the foundation of course. Class was in session with about two dozen students when we arrived, just as the school was about to close. We decided to head to the main village and make portraits there.

Thanks to that decision we met this young girl standing under the main tree in the middle of the village. Initially we were to photograph only the foundation's students... but my dear brother Mukesh was able to convince her to be photographed.

She was extremely shy, but was incredibly strong at the same time. Mukesh was able to help her feel comfortable enough to be photographed in front of perhaps three dozen people watching. She let us expose a roll and then stepped aside to let her friends be photographed.

Tomorrow we head back into this community, and I hope that the other girls will have the courage that this young girl possessed today... a true inspiration for me on this trip so far.

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Student + Schools for Girls, Humana People to People India, Banganga, Rajasthan, India, November of 2014

As the new year begins girls in Haryana and Rajasthan are enjoying a second term under the guidance of Humana People to People India. This young girl is one bright example, and attends classes along with her friends under the guidance of a teacher from her own village.

In a social experiment, we are looking for six groups of six people in order to fund these six schools. The idea is for six to respond to this call, and for each to find five friends to fund a single school. The monthly installment for each person would be $20, and the schools would be funded for as long as the group is willing to continue.
People have always asked me: 'What can I do?'

I hope that this social experiment provides answers to those interested in this work. In return each person would receive a silver gelatin print (traditional darkroom method) of a student from the schools. A win-win for all!

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Student + Original Cover, Humana People to People India, Rajasthan, India, December of 2013

She was there on my first visit, and remains today. When Humana People to People India initiated the schools for girls in her village, she was one of the first to cross the threshold and attend the classes offered. Her cousin taught those first classes and accepted our challenge to reopen the schools last year, leaving her position at the local government school with fervor.

When I first met this young student, I was enthralled by her features and even more so by her expressions. It was as if she knew me, and understood the work before I had any idea of its purpose. In her early years she exuded a most androgynous quality, deeply suited for the medium of the black and white image.

She has since matured beautifully, and allowed me this past year to make her portrait even though she was a bit older than the other students. She had just repositioned her scarf in this way, and was so surprised that it excited me so!

The school in her village is thriving, and I cannot wait to see the students again in four or so months!

www.halimina.org

Note: This image was made with a Hasselblad 555 ELD/180 mm combination, onto Kodak TMY 400 ISO film

Nafisa's Story, Humana People to People India, Salaheri, Haryana, India, September 3, 2014

Name - Nafisa

Father's Name - Rahish Khan

Mother's Name - Farmina

Age - 12 years

Village - Salaheri

Hello, I am Nafisa from Salaheri village in Mevat. I hail from a family, which has staunch beliefs against education and freedom of girl children. My father, a bus driver by profession, heads our family of 6 people, including my mother, myself, my two younger brothers and a sister. My parents never attained any education and hence do not value the need of it. However, due to convincing of my neighbors, my parents sent me and my siblings to the Government school of Salaheri. I attended the school, but the lackadaisical attitude of teachers killed our motivation to go to school and my parents’ beliefs against education further strengthened.

We had stopped going to school and stayed at home whiling away the time. After a few months, my father returned home with a news about the Girls Bridge Education Centre in Mevat, which provided good education to the children. We were surprised to see such a thing being shared by my father, considering his beliefs. He seemed quite convinced with the school and shared that the staff has been following up with him for some months, which led to this shift in his attitude towards the need for education.

I joined the Bridge Education Centre with my younger sister and found the place full of energy. The teachers paid attention to every single student in the class and treated us in a very polite manner. Prior to joining the Centre, I used to study in the 5th class at the Government schools and could read English alphabets, Hindi Alphabets and tables up to 5. However, my progress has been significant in the last three months, where I have learned names of fruits, colors, days, months, etc.

My parents are also happy with my progress and as encouraged by my teacher, I help my mother with household work after school hours, which is a satiating feeling for them. I will always be thankful to my teachers and parents for this wonderful opportunity. 

This story was provided by my dear colleagues at Humana People to People India.

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Student + Me, Girls Bridge School, Humana People to People India, Rajasthan, India, 2013

Less than seven days remaining until Cuba, today was spent printing images of the girls from India to show the girls in Cuba. Through the same camera lenses all of their spirits have passed and it is only fitting that they meet each other through the image. In this image a new face stands next to me and it is this enthusiasm that drives this work, the love within her reaction that allows it to flourish. She now attends classes in one of the Humana People to People India schools for girls reopened since last year. Through our local efforts this has been made possible.

We were walking around looking for some of the students when we walked by her home. She was at the end of the dirt path leading to her house, just ten or so meters to my right in this image. Her smile welcomed us into her family's space and her brother without a single note of hesitation allowed me to photograph her almost immediately. We had a nice hour of photography, then some incredible tea before heading back to the school. To my great surprise she was one of the girls chosen to attend the new school for girls in the village. When any doubts pass through me regarding this project, I only need to look at her face and feel her expression to know that this is right, that this is true. 

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Boy + Grandmother, Humana People to People India, Rajasthan, India, November, 2013

While I waited for the sun to set a bit for the more formal session, I decided to walk around and photograph the surrounding homes. Within the same 100 meters or so was this older woman, accompanied by her grandson. He offered his portrait eagerly and coaxed his grandmother to do the same. The trick was to set up the tripod and make formal, architectural images while keeping an eye out for the faces… and on this day it worked.

One of three schools in this area reopened in this very village, less than twenty meters from this portrait. After walking around and make such images, we returned to the teacher's house and had a wonderful time photographing the past and future students. They were so attentive and beyond appreciative of the chance to attend classes once again. My ability to describe them stops at the images, for their reactions are beyond words.

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Boy + Paint, Humana People to People India, Virat Nagar, India, November 5, 2013

During a visit to a familiar village, we decided to walk around and find new faces to photograph. The host family was quite sweet and allowed me to walk down the road to look for some of the students from the past, as well as others from the village.

Five minutes later we ran across a young girl in front of her house, next to a water well. The magnitude of her smile brought us in to speak with her family, she was irresistible. Her family ended up being as gentle as her, and invited us in with warmth. They even allowed us to photograph her, her older cousin and the rest of the family.

We were in the middle of doing so when this young man walked into the scene. He was shocked to learn that he was as striking as the girls being photographed. He agreed to be photographed and had serious fun in the process.

After the photography we were served wonderfully sweet tea, then headed back to the host's home to bid farewell for the day. Since this afternoon the school for girls has reopened in this village and includes that wonderfully sweet girl from this house.

Humana People to People India has agreed to oversee the schools which have been funded for the next three years through the sale of these images. In four weeks the negatives from this year's visit will have been processed, and I look forward to seeing this young man on film.

www.halimina.org
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Girl + Student, Humana People to People India, Near Virat Nagar, Rajasthan, India, November 3, 2013

She is the third daughter of a friend living just outside of Virat Nagar, Rajasthan. Her mother allows her home to be used as a meeting place for the micro-finance chapter in her village.Humana People to People India works with women in her village to supply small loans, resulting in many women being able to increase their families' incomes while increasing a sense of independence as well.

This image was made on our second day, just twelve or so hours after we met the previous evening. We were allowed to come back and make better portraits, since our first session was barely a session due to the setting sun. We arrived before the sun as visible, were served wonderful tea and then welcomed to the roof of the house for an incredible session.

All three sisters were ready and allowed me an entire hour for their portraits. We played with headscarves, expressions and body positions with complete freedom. The joy with which these beautiful spirits approached the photography was exhilarating, and makes me look forward to the film images even more so.

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Halim Ina Photography

Girl + Ragpicker, Humana People to People India, Gurgaon, India, November 22, 2013

Once again a young girl helping her family make a living while sorting through trash is presented here. In collaboration withHumana People to People India these images were made, near the high-rises of Gurgaon, 'the most prosperous city in India based on ownership of consumer durables.' A description of this city is included 

The cruelty of this contrast is visible to all those visiting the area. Fancy shopping areas stand next to dilapidated neighborhoods, and small children constantly walk between cars with balloons in their hands for sale. Enormous signs highlighting the names of countless multi-national corporations sit atop gleaming buildings, while people sleep beneath a newly constructed freeway cutting through the city.

This young girl lives in between piles of garbage, and her hands testify to the hardness of the life lived. With the guidance of the foundation and two corporations, Dell and Nokia, two centers and a few satellites provide a quality education to these very children, augmented by wonderful computer rooms as well. The hope is that these centers can be a source of opportunity for this population, and that the sharp blade of cruelty most visible can be blunted more so.

According to Wikipedia:

'Gurgaon is a city situated in the National Capital Region near the Indian capital New Delhi in the state of Haryana. Located 32 km south-west of New Delhi, Gurgaon has a population of 876,824. Witnessing rapid urbanization, Gurgaon has become the city with the third highest per capita income in India, even though the city grapples with the problem of lack of proper infrastructure and utilities, frequent power outages and rising crime. As of 2013, about 250 Fortune 500 companies have a base in Gurgaon.'

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Halim Ina Photography

Girl + Ragpicker, Humana People to People India, Gurgaon, Haryana, India, November 22, 2013

The common term used to describe her profession is 'ragpicker,' although she is anything but common in my eyes. Her community lives in Gurgaon but originates from West Bengal. They live in a shantytown just a few minutes away from some of the richest communities of India. The children survive day to day by collecting and then sorting to perfection the garbage nearby.

When one drives on the roads to her location, the eyes are inundated with the propaganda on huge billboards, commercials using the language of colonialism and the familiar vision of a futuristic, utopian society. The names of the colonies being built just adjacent to her home would make Orson Welles turn incessantly in his grave, yet they are placed above her little frame for all to see.

The contrasts are incredibly cruel, yet this is her reality. Humana People to People India operates an Academy for Working Children in collaboration with Dell and Nokia. The facilities are wonderfully clean and well equipped, providing a chance at an education otherwise unavailable to her and her friends.

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Halim Ina Photography

Four Students + New School, Humana People to People India, Kedha Village, Rajasthan, India, December 4, 2013

Living in a village in Rajasthan, this young girl now has the opportunity to attend classes offered by Humana People to People India. The proceeds from the benefits held this summer at Artistic Muse Gallery and the Cleveland Print Room have resulted in the opening of seven schools for girls in Haryana and Rajasthan. We thought four schools, Humana People to People India were more than generous and offered more for the funds raised. So now she has a chance to sit next to her sisters and catch up to those already in school.

Like the other girls in this post, she also lives in the same village named Kedha. The majority of villagers are farmers and the days are spent ensuring the health of the crops and sustenance for the children.

She used to attend classes three years ago and has been photographed by me several times over a few years. Her teacher is also her cousin, and she has returned to the school with an eagerness than would make teachers stateside deeply satisfied. She is a little older than the other students but this means very little to her. I am both proud and humbled by her strength, and am quite content with the chances provided me for her portrait this year.

The portrait below was made this past Wednesday, on my last day of photography. As a matter of fact, her portrait was the last of the trip. A higher speed film was used (T-Max 400) as the sun was low, and the images are very much anticipated as her eyes gleamed along with her smile with the setting sun. She inspires me.

These two students also look forward to their first day of class tomorrow. They stand on the roof of their teacher's home, which is actually their classroom now. It is both private and extremely beautiful, with the kitchen at their feet. There is little noise outside of the birds chirping in the trees surrounding the rooftop.

This school closed in 2010 but these students were never forgotten in my work. The good leaders at Humana People to People India listened to my request to reopen the schools in the area and acted on it even though doing so involved a list of complications. The people of the village, rather than having a bitter taste in their collective mouth due to the closing, greeted us with open arms. This reaction was a breath of fresh air for me as well as the foundation, and more than twenty girls were gathered for classes in less than one week. The previous teacher quit her post in the local private school and accepted this position gladly, and has always had my deepest admiration.

I wish them nothing but the best and look forward to seeing the progress made on my next visit.

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Halim Ina Photography

Former Student, Humana People to People, Chota, Rajasthan, India, November, 2013

Here she is in color this time, comfortable enough to share her smile with us. Our visit to her village was for her and two of her friends, and word was delivered to all three that we were waiting for them in the village. 

While waiting for her I decided to make some detailed images of the house. During one exposure I heard some commotion and turned to see her running into the inner courtyard, clearly short of breath from the long sprint from the field in which she was digging ditches for the afternoon.

She looked radiant and overjoyed that we had returned just for her. The images were easy to make and the smile below is just one example of such.

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Halim Ina Photography

Elderly Man, Humana People to People India, Khala Kidhani, Rajasthan, India, November 6, 2013

We saw this man sitting together with a few other men having a traditional smoke and knew instantly he needed to be photographed. We visited his village at the end of the day to explore the possibilities photographically for the next morning, and were pleasantly surprised when they allowed the photography of their daughters. This morning we photographed all of the girls first, and then photographed this man at the end… an incredible presence!

The night before I was concerned that perhaps he might be missing the next day, but he happened to be the only man from the group the evening before to be present as we arrived. At first he declined the portrait and like so many times my interpreters were nudged a bit by me to ask kindly once again. He did accept graciously and gave much more of his time than asked.

There was a moment when one of the young boys laughed inappropriately, and the elderly man took offense and almost left his seat to head back to his spot. He then noticed my dismay at the young man's insensitivity and decided to give my camera one more chance. The sun was soft yet strong enough to allow another roll, and more intimate images were made regarding distance such as the image above.

It never ceases to amaze me how young boys, and at times young men, take it upon themselves to disrespect the courageous spirits standing in front of my lens. Whether this happens to be young girls in Cuba or older men in India, it's always the same: attention is being given to someone other than them.

I have been fortunate to have had wonderful subjects, people with a deep understanding of their own surroundings. They are the ones to rise above the remarks and concentrate on the lens in front of them, to use that lens as a tunnel through which to communicate with the viewers when that time comes. Each time this happens I am breathless, and deeply appreciative.

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Halim Ina Photography

Student + Straw + Stool, Humana People to People India, Rajasthan, India, November 20, 2009

Here she sits in an open courtyard and under the shade of a large tree. We lost the ability to use direct sunlight, and decided to pursue photography with indirect light. She and her friends were patient enough with us as we fooled around a bit with the reflector, and the location of the session. Her friends were standing to my right, perhaps five or so meters away. Behind me were maybe two dozen people from a distance watching the proceedings underway.

Earlier in the morning we lost much time waiting for the teacher at her home, although she was advised of our need to begin early. All was however made up to us we thought with a nice round of hot tea. Sometimes I forget that this is all voluntary and that much is asked of the people helping with the photography, not to mention to subjects of the photography themselves.

As we arrived at the school it was evident to me that the teacher was less than enthusiastic about the photography. She went through with the motions but was quite aggressive with the girls, lacking a smile and pushing them when their time came to sit for their portraits. So much so that I needed to stop the work and advise that she needed to change her demeanor for the sake of the girls at least. Needless to say she was less than pleased with my reaction, and moved in the opposite direction emotionally.

Clearly the girls were very uncomfortable with something, and when the teacher was asked to dismiss herself, their mood changed for the better. All of a sudden they showed themselves as excited about the photography, and really wanted it to continue. We decided to forget about the issues beforehand and looked for a place to go on with the work. This is how we ended up at the location above, and with that expression.

I so miss these beautiful spirits and wish to return to do better for them. This I hope will happen later this year, along with the reopening of five schools for girls. Two benefits will be held this summer to this end, and out of respect for the young girl above and her friends.

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Halim Ina Photography

Young Girl + Student, In the Kitchen, Banganga, Rajasthan, India, November 20, 2009

She is taking the place of her mother in the kitchen and preparing a meal for her family at the end of the day. Her village has adopted a solar lantern project in cooperation with Humana People to People India and Lighting a Billion Lives (LaBL). Rather than perform her duties in the dark or next to a kerosene lantern, she does so with the efficiency and safety of this solar lantern.

Over four years I have visited this village, and perhaps four to five times during each of those years. Sometimes we would visit just to enjoy time with the families, and sometimes to make portraits. During my last visit it was possible to document more so their lives, and this gives me great inspiration to do much more of the same later this year.

This young girl lives with her family next to her aunt's house, and shares a substantial plot of farming land with her cousins. Sometimes it is hard to tell them apart, and to differentiate to which family each girl belongs. They act with such love towards each other that at least to me it is one large, extended family. She is the shyest of her sisters, and speaks mostly with smiles as in the picture above.

Over the years I have written much about this village, and a quick search above will lead the reader to other stories and images from Banganga, Rajasthan. It is one of my favorite places in the world and a place to which I will return year after year until my legs are unable to carry me. 

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Halim Ina Photography

Young Boy, Stool in Courtyard, Humana People to People, Rajasthan, India, November 15, 2008

This is the 12th image from the 16th roll of film on this day with Humana People to People India. We were looking for a place to photograph the children after having arrived a bit late in the morning to use direct sunlight. We walked about sixty meters away from the teacher's house and found a beautiful courtyard with subdued light.

We asked the owners of this home for permission and were granted entry into the courtyard. They also provided a stool for our use and the children sat on it one by one for their portraits. A large reflector was held behind me and to the left of this child, giving us a bit more light to help shape their faces.

Behind the child is a shoulder level stone wall, and perhaps twenty or so people watching. Next to the baskets are paddies of cow dung and grass drying for use as solid cooking fuel. In my time within the rural parts of Rajasthan I was always impressed with the capacity to recycle present within each household and village. Nothing is wasted and almost everything is used to its fullest capacity. When washing dishes the water dripping from one dish is used to wet another and so on.

During this short session I really enjoyed photographing the local children, boys and girls alike. Usually my work with Humana People to People India focuses on the girls, but every now and then boys present themselves with such sweetness that they are also included. In this case a few boys made their way into the courtyard and were asked to be photographed.

Even though the young boy in this image may seem a little less than thrilled to be photographed, he was more than happy before and after his time on the stool. Many times a person changes their presentation in front of the lens, and has something completely different to offer right before and after the portrait is made. This is one reason for me to invest a roll of film at times for a single person, because it is clear to me that there is much more to be recorded. Sometimes a few rolls are dedicated, and the results are rewarding indeed.

This year we look forward to reopening five schools in collaboration with Humana People to People India, and hope that the school in this village will be included in the near future. The foundation has located the previous teachers and all but one are available for the task. In October I do look forward to visiting these schools and hearing the voices of girls reciting the alphabet from a distance.

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Note: This image was made with a Hasselblad V system.

Students, Humana People to People, Rajasthan, India, November 19, 2010

In this very room we had lunch minutes after this portrait. I sat on the bench to the right, and my two friends sat opposite me. We were fed with love and quenched our thirst with fresh milk squeezed just for this occasion.

As always the food was delicious but way spicier than my tongue could have ever handled. Glass after glass of milk was my only answer, and the family chuckled the entire time. When the pitcher of milk was turned over by accident and milk spilled by one of my friends, our hosts reacted only with even more generosity and kindness, quickly refilling it and cleaning the spilled milk. Their faces never showed a hint of displeasure, in spite of the precious resource lost.

What amazes me most about these families is that they let me in to photograph their girls without question, then feed us before feeding the children or themselves. The children sit and watch us eating, only happy that we are enjoying our meal. This is selflessness on an entirely different level, and is a testament to these wonderful, rural communities.

The picture above was made less formally than my usual work as we walked back to the car from our morning session. The room and colors immediately struck me, and the children took to the images quickly. Some sat down while others posed for their portraits with their siblings or parents. 

Two and a half years have passed since my time in these villages and I ache to return with fresh eyes. Looking at this image, as well as some of the less formal ones, gives me motivation to include the environment. The portraits without clutter will continue however, and compliment the environmental images in the telling of the stories.

I will return to this very room and hope that we don't spill the milk this time.

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Note: This image was made with a Canon G10.