Showing posts with label Humana People to People India. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Humana People to People India. Show all posts

Monday, January 23, 2023

Young Girl, Banjara Community, Rajasthan, India


Between 2006 and 2010, this tribe was photographed in collaboration with the good people of Humana People to People India. In the beginning, this specific tribe was associated with a foundation school near Behror, Rajasthan. They then move further away in order to remove themselves from the urban chaos and in search of their more traditional way of life.

This resulted in their children losing access to the foundation's school, one in which they are enrolled for about three hours per day, outside of their daily chores and work duties. While outside of class, these children collect plastic and so forth in order to sell in bulk later. They also approach certain people for donations in the streets.

As noted in Wikipedia, 'women are known to wear colorful and beautiful costumes and have tattoos on their hands.The dress is considered fancy and attractive by Western cultures. They use mirror chips and often coins to decorate it. Women put on thick bangles on their arms Their ornaments are made up of silver rings, coins,chain and hair pleat are tied together at the end by Chotla.'

Note: canvas print 36” x 36”

Monday, January 16, 2023

Solar Project, Humana People to People India, Rajasthan, India


Going back to memories of my first few years in India, guided by the great people at @humanaindia in Rajasthan. These woman were taking part in a solar energy project, taking a torch home for the evening and bringing it back to charge the next morning. 

Monday, December 26, 2022

Young Girl + Family Kitchen, Humana People to People, Rajasthan, India

In this village my collaboration with @humanaindia began in 2006, and the photography continues to the present. For this portrait we walked around the village with the teacher and visited the homes of the students. These experiences have enriched my life more than words can express. The girls just loved to role pay, and this young girl stood for her portrait in the family's open kitchen as the light came through the doorway.

Monday, November 21, 2022

Baba + Children, Virat Nagar, Rajasthan, India, 2007


Looking back at my experiences with @humanaindia in Rajasthan, here with Baba holding court in one of the villages. His ability to connect with people amazes me to this day. He used to walk kilometers from his village to the office in town. This picture really brings back fond memories of those early days!

Wednesday, November 9, 2022

Banjara + I, Behror, Rajasthan, India


My friend Niranjan Rajput thankfully made this snapshot of the girls and I after the photography. The expressions say it all, especially that of the girl at the end!

In the beginning, this specific tribe is associated with a foundation school near Behror, Rajasthan. Later they move further away in order to remove themselves from the urban chaos and in search of their more traditional way of life.

This results in their children losing access to the foundation's school, one in which they are enrolled for about three hours per day, outside of their daily chores and work duties. While outside of class, these children collect plastic and so forth in order to sell in bulk later. They also approach certain people for donations in the streets.

As noted in Wikipedia, 'women are known to wear colorful and beautiful costumes and have tattoos on their hands.The dress is considered fancy and attractive by Western cultures. They use mirror chips and often coins to decorate it. Women put on thick bangles on their arms [Patli].Their ornaments are made up of silver rings, coins,chain and hair pleat are tied together at the end by Chotla.'

Sunday, December 19, 2021

Young Woman + Lantern, Humana People to People India, Rajasthan, India, 2008


A young woman on her way home with the solar lantern in hand. It was turned on for the photograph, as the HPPI team liked to show its function.

THE Cook + Motorcycle, Virat Nagar, Rajasthan, India, 2008


Those hands fed me on countless evenings, as we would return from the villages. That smile was always there, his personality shined day in and day out!

Saturday, December 18, 2021

Games, Humana People to People India, Rajasthan, India, 2010





While it may be impossible for me to travel to India this year, it's more than possible to look back at the great memories made during the past 15 years. This trio of photographs brings fond memories of my time with Humana People to People India, and the community retreats that they would hold in the villages. In this game the participants would be blindfolded while the crowd would cheer them on as they searched for that clay pot.

While the community work being done by HPPI was very technical and complicated, they knew that they needed to engage the communities on the ground. This was a great way to involve everyone and to help even the playing field between genders, between age groups and so on. It's been a blessing to have been there and continues to be a blessing to know these great people. 


 


Mother + Entrepreneur, Humana People to People India, Rajasthan, India, 2013

Here is a portrait of another recipient of a micro-loan sponsored by Humana People to People India almost 8 years ago. At that time I was collaborating with this great team and helped to document this project in Virat Nagar, Rajasthan. This is one of my favorite places in India, since it also was the site of 16 beautiful schools for girls.

As an extension of the development programs in the region, micro-finance provided access to loans for certain portions of the population without such. This wonderful mother decided to use her funds to purchase this machine, and was able to feed her animals more efficiently. This in turn enabled her to purchase more animals, and have more milk for her family as well as for the market. 

Seeing real change as it happens is a marvel, and I cannot thank Humana People to People India enough for such an education!  

Wednesday, November 3, 2021

Woman + Humana People to People India, Rajasthan, India, 2010


These images are over 8 years old and from my time of innocence in this wonderful land. At that time I was following those around me and documenting the great work being done by Humana People to People India. They had asked me to photograph a micro-finance project in the Virat Nagar area of Rajasthan.

This was one of my favorite spots for many reasons, one of which was a group of girls schools in the villages. At the time there were 16 schools for girls, and Humana was doing its best to transition out-of-school girls smoothly back into school. In these same villages there were examples of women who had taken on small loans in order to help their families.

In this case, this young mother had used the small loan to purchase this animal... and had used the proceeds from her new endeavor to purchase the gold in her hands. She told us that she would accumulate more in order to pass it onto her daughter when he daughter gets married in the future. We were witnessing change at the grass-roots, as it was happening right before our eyes!



Friday, February 12, 2021

Young Student + Board, Humana People to People India, Rajasthan, India, 2006


This portrait dates back to my first trip to India, and my first experiences with Humana People to People India. My time in the villages with Humana opened my eyes to an entirely different world, and introduced me to the work of community development from the ground up. It was a privilege to be able to visit more than a dozen schools in the Virat Nagar region of Rajasthan, and to this day this place means the world to me. While the schools are now closed, the foundation and I have maintained contact to this day. In addition, I have visited many of these villages over the past few years and we have begun three sewing centers in three of these villages, with one elementary school as well. My goal is to revisit all of these villages once again and present a plan to revisit the work started more than 20 years ago. One look into her face tells me the incredible value of education, and convinces me of the need to do what we can to make such more possible for the girls of this region.

Note: this frame was just scanned this evening... seen for the very first time since her portrait was made in 2016!

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Elder, Humana India, Madhya Pradesh, India, 2016


With gratitude to Humana India, this image is being shared.

Perhaps the most beautiful landscape from my travels through India, this incredible region also had one of its kindest communities. We spent about one week documenting two dozen schools, and with each experience my impression of the communities was enhanced.

When we began our photography this morning a few elders gathered to watch. I looked their way a few times and saw this beautiful man wearing the most beautiful fabrics. Without translation we looked at each other and agreed on making his portrait. He walked over as a few of the children giggled, and stood poignantly for his photograph to be made.

The landscape was just as beautiful, and complimented the colors on his skin perfectly. He stood at this spot for less than a minute, then walked away quietly to sit alongside the other elders. I so look forward to seeing his portrait on film hopefully soon.




Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Sunday, March 27, 2016

Young Migrant, Humana India, Panipat, Haryana, India, 2016


Sometimes it's easier for me to stay in one place photographically, to make portraits of familiar faces, for one never knows what the next day/village holds. Then we travel to another state and find the people to be just as beautiful and incredible.

This happened yesterday when it was cloudy in Delhi. Instead of spending the night in the city, we decided to travel to Panipat and explore a new project by Humana India. My dear friend Kamal was heading this project and we were guided to our first destination by Sunil.

Because this morning was a holiday we visited one slum without a school set up at this time. A survey had been done and a school is planned in the very near future. We arrived to see many children playing in the street, but were also a bit cautious since we had little in terms of a social connection.

After about 15 minutes of talking, as the sun was getting stronger and stronger, it seemed more necessary for me to help my friends and walk into the narrow alleys immediately. Prudent action along with a smile has worked over and over again for my photography. The community was very pleasant, and to the surprise of my friends almost all of the children were awake.

This came as no surprise to me since the children of these migrant families wake up much earlier than most of my comrades in the foundation. The girls were eager to see what was happening, and the adults were very kind in their reactions.

Even though we'd be in the open, we decided to work in the open street since we had access to sunshine. My trust in the community was more than rewarded when the people helped with their support, both in keeping the children organized and in helping them feel comfortable.

This young girl was one of the first to be photographed, as my eyes were attracted to her eyes and pink coat immediately. She was a remarkable, young girl... had composure throughout the few minutes she was in front of the camera and also allowed us to reposition her hood several times. Her expression was remarkable, especially when we think of the number of people standing in front of her (perhaps 40 or so).

After our work my friend Amanpreet made the right decision and accepted the communities invitation to have tea. Engaging the community rather than getting into the car always helps the people understand our work more so, and gives them the true perception that we are there to help tell their stories.

We talked for perhaps an hour more, got into the car and left with all of the children waving... as well as smiles on most of the adults. It was a sweet morning, and a good start for our work in Panipat, Haryana.


Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Young Student + Humana People to People India, Mewat, India, 2016


Last week was a rough one in Mewat, with our photography sessions being stopped twice by unsavory characters having nothing to do with the photography, the students nor the schools. While we had the cooperation of the community leaders, it seems that some of the villagers had yet to receive such information.

Rather than sharing images from that session, I share an image from one of our better times. On this morning we visited one of our schools within a government school. Humana India has moved onto this new system, allowing out of school girls to enter the formal government system slowly and with a well-thought-out program called appropriately 'Step Up.'

We began by making digital photographs of all the girls, perhaps around 100 or so. These were simple snapshots, yet the girls saw nothing simple about them. They took this opportunity to show themselves to the camera, and to us as a result. The reactions came from every direction emotionally, from extreme shyness to bold curiosity. This young girl never took her hands out from under her scarf, and had the most beautiful facial reaction as seen in this image.

Her expression alone makes up for the hardship from the rest of that week, and I do hope that we return before my departure to these villages to make more ideal portraits for those left out last week. The students were wonderful, the teachers were working hard to make a difference... and I do hope that the rest of the villagers see the value in this work and allow us to progress.

Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Sunday, March 13, 2016

Young Student, Humana India, Madhya Pradesh, India, 2016


While in Gurgaon today, I thought back to my time in this beautiful state last week. Snapshots of the landscape come flooding back, the contrasts between the girls' fabrics and the earth, both in color and texture. 

This young girl is a student in Humana People to People India's Step Up Program, and will be transitioning to the government school within the next two weeks. Her home is located across the mountains in the background, and for the past 12 months she had walked over 3 kilometers to achieve her goal of making that transition.

The wind was blowing incredibly hard that afternoon, and held the fabric against her body securely. We made images as the fabric blew into different positions, while she maintained her composure perfectly.

I hope that next year when we do visit this area once again, she and her friends are indeed in the formal educational system, and that we can once again make photographs, perhaps with her in a beautiful school uniform this time.



Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Friday, March 11, 2016

Young Student + Humana People to People India, Madhya Pradesh, India, 2016


Last week was spent in one of the most beautiful places thus far in my travel experiences. The southern, western portion of Madhya Pradesh took my breath away several times an hour during my week there, and will undoubtedly remain in my memory.

On this day we visited a small school sponsored by Humana People to People India. The project involves bringing children out of school into the mainstream system utilizing the new 'Step Up' program.

As we were nearing the end of our photography for the morning this young girl stepped out of nowhere. She took her place on this stage, was defiant in the face of the bright reflector and expressed herself fully to the lens.

She never flinched, maintained her composure in front of two dozen people, then stepped to her left to join her friends sitting on the adjacent landing.

Her community is a most beautiful one, mirroring the landscape in which she lives. The houses are distant from each other, dotting the landscape like the trees. This of course is also a very difficult life, with children walking kilometers over mountains just to attend classes.

Her dress has been taken care of by loving hands, maintaining its life for as long as possible. This not-so-small detail impressed me deeply as the photograph was being made, and I just hope that my portrait honors her spirit so.

Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3 using a reflector as well.

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Young Girl + Student, Humana People to People India, Barwani, Madhya Pradesh, 2016


This past week was spent in the beautiful state of Madhya Pradesh, bordering both Gujarat and Maharashtra near the locations of the schools. For the past year Humana People to People India has been working in this tribal region, helping out of school children join the mainstream school system.

The landscape of this region has an almost lunar appearance, with trees seemingly placed here and there in an almost staged scenario. It is as if the gods raked the small stones into perfect mounds, and sprinkled dark brown and light tan colors over the landscape. Over and over again we caught ourselves in awe of it all, keeping in mind that the lives of most are certainly anything but idyllic.

We were able to visit over a dozen schools, and photograph hundreds of children. As most of those on this social page know, my focus is on the girls... and in order to gain access to their images photographs of hundreds of boys needed to be made. Such being said, the boys in this region were just as beautiful as the girls, and almost as serene. There was something different about them, quite calming actually.

We asked one father, and he told us that since the houses are spread so far apart, the boys stay at home with the family and refrain from playing in packs. The family system is intact, and the respect was evident all the way through our visit.

This image was made during our last day, and in the most remote of the schools. The children walk to the school over the mountain range in the background, more than a few kilometers each day. The people are tribal in background, and have lush traditions including song and dance. Before our photography on this day the girls and boys sang for us, with this scene in front of our eyes.

It seemed that we were sitting on the moon, yet connected firmly to the earth. The language used was local, and foreign to all of my friends and assistants. After the singing we used this opportunity to make photographs different than my usual, of course putting aside the plane backdrops and embracing it all.

I had my eye on this young girl since our arrival, just loved her features and her clothing. When her time came I was hoping the sun was shining as clouds had formed during our filming. It so happened that luck was on our side, and this portrait was made both on film and in a digital format.

The wind was blowing her shawl all over the place, yet she maintained her composure and expressions. It was like another world altogether, taking me deeper into timeless India with each frame exposed.

Tomorrow I head into Mewat to photograph our schools. The Muslim girls will be quite a change from their counterparts in MP, yet of course just as fascinating. As the images are made more will be shared.

Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Migrant Girl, Under the Train Station, Outskirts of Delhi, India, 2015


So the search begins this week for the faces from last year's work with Humana India, including this young girl living under a train station on the outskirts of Delhi. We visited this encampment last April in order to document the good work being done by the foundation, and were immediately seized by the incredible need present.

People lived in a tent city just under an immense bridge, with flies buzzing around everywhere. The children were playing on piles of garbage, and the sound from the traffic above was deafening at times. In the midst of all of this the most angelic faces were present, including this young girl.

Her face caught my attention as we drove up to the main building. She was standing next to a bench on which her family was sitting. I tried to maintain my composure but let it be known that she needed to be photographed as this was the smile she gave me when we passed by.

After we set up for our session an hour or so later, I once again made it clear to my friends that we needed to do so... but she was never told by our team. Almost in desperation I walked over to her area and asked one of my friends to come along. We asked about her since she was now gone, and she came forth with the most beautiful expression. She and her sister walked with us to our location a few dozen meters away, and we made this portrait of her.

Few young girls have such tattoos on their faces, as such practices are fading in India and in the Middle East as well. While I have seen such with the older women, such tattoos are rarely found on the younger generation. My initial impression of her was of course much more than the tattoo, as her features spoke volumes about the spirit inside.

Later this month I will visit this spot once again, and sincerely hope that she is present to speak once again through her expressions. At the same time, I do hope that her living condition has improved, and that she has found a better place to thrive. This is the nature of the work, to wish for the best regardless of the photographic outcome.


Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M2.

Friday, January 22, 2016

Young Student, Nuh, Haryana, Humana People to People India, 2015


Earlier this year we visited the new schools in this region and were more than pleasantly surprised at the reception. The classrooms were full, and the teachers were from the same villages as well. Humana People to People India had worked extremely hard in organizing these schools, for they faced as many obstacles in doing so here as they had in Rajasthan.

In many of these villages girls lack access to formal education, even though government schools exist nearby. Traditional attitudes prevent such from happening, attitudes experienced by me as well during my week or so in this area. So to see the schools up and running, with the support of the families and the elders of the communities, gave me an immense sense of happiness. Whenever a doubt comes into my mind regarding this work, I look at these images and regain my composure.

This portrait was made in the courtyard of the teacher's home, also the school. The teacher's father is quite elegant and more than understanding, allowing his daughter to attain higher education while at the same time donating a room from his own home for the classes.

This was the spot where we had tea on more than several occasions, and an oasis in a chaotic world for these beautiful girls. I look forward to visiting the schools in less than two months, and seeing the progress that has been made, from 75 girls to over 400 girls attending classes!


Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M2.

Monday, December 28, 2015

Woman with Child, Nirvanavan Foundation, Rajasthan, India, 2015


Every time we walk past this house on our way to the teacher's home, the family asks us to make photographs, without exception. While I would like to oblige, taking the camera out of the bag means making more photographs than anticipated. Once the camera is out of the bag, it's one portrait after another… one combination of family members after another.

So in this instance we make this portrait and about three other combinations, before moving on. What is most amazing about this experience is that all they want is to be photographed, and rarely ask for their photographs even though we do provide them.

When we arrive to the teacher's home, it is like arriving to heaven. We enter the house and find the space most peaceful, as if an invisible barrier prevents anything/anyone negative from entering. The boys know better than to enter, and the brave ones who do are shown the way out once they do. This is a place for the girls, for our students… and a safe haven for their dreams.

I look forward to standing in front of this spot in four months, but even more so the destination just a dozen meters past it.


PS As a side note, after posting this image I noticed the chairs and bench behind the woman and child. In all of my visits to this village and the others hosting our schools, I have rarely seen a woman sitting in them. I learned pretty quickly that women were not allowed to sit in a chair, and that the floor was her place to sit.