A space to lay down the words behind the images. From Asia to Africa to the Americas, the portraits are made, stories are recorded and lives are represented through photography.
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.
As part of the Humana People to People India collaborative, they are making much progress and are deeply motivated. They show us nothing but love, compassion, sympathy, cooperation and the kindest qualities of humanity. They are an example for the rest of us.
Working with HPPI allows me access to them as well as others living in different villages. Over the span of three years as of 2008, portraits are made of fourteen girls' schools and their associated villages, as well as a handful of working girls' schools associated with the most beautiful Banjara Tribes.
According to its mission:
'Humana People to People India's mission is to create development in the broadest sense. Especially through the establishment and implementation of projects that aim at transferring knowledge, skills and capacity to individuals and communities that need assistance to come out of poverty and dehumanized conditions.'
'Humana People to People India works with the people as partners in finding solutions and in creating the necessary conditions to improve their living standards and to achieve their aspiration for a just and humanized life for themselves, their families and their communities.'
'It is further Humana People to People India's mission to promote humanization of man, and to protect the weak and the outcast and to go against all forms of discrimination, oppression and exploitation. Humana People to People India aims to have an effect on the eradication of poverty, the control of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, education for all, health care for all and for people to have the power do decide over their own.'
