In February I spent three days at a little hospital in rural India. More than anything else, this was a chance for me to use photography to give back. By shooting both stills and video I was able to create a set of media assets that they can use to raise awareness and help with fundraising. The video above is a short segment on the clinic.
Finding opportunities like this has becoming important to me. Increasingly I am feeling the need to do more that just make pretty pictures. The people whose photographs I “take” deserve more than simply being a souvenir stored on my hard drive. Sometimes giving back is big – images that can be used for the good of an entire organization. Sometimes giving back is small and deeply personal. One of my favorite experiences in India was handing out printed portraits I’d made of the hospital staff. For many of them this was the first photograph anyone had ever made for them. People literally started to cry when I handed them their picture. It was an extraordinary experience for me.
March 4, 2010 - 4:10 pmpeter berg - good stuff Jon. I think we're on a similar track in our thinking... I also reckon we often underestimate the power of an image to do good, far beyond what we can tangibly 'measure'. Keep it up.
pb
After two weeks in India I’m finally heading home. This has been two weeks of extremes. I spent most of my time in a corporate office that may as well have been in the middle of the silicon valley. Contrast this with a weekend in rural India among the “Untouchables”. My head is still spinning.
This final image is from the Kapaleeswarar Temple in Chennai. I couldn’t quite get a complete description of the event – some kind of celebration meal for a group of women. I will certainly miss all of the stunning color when I leave.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 Posted in Uncategorized
Today’s post is a little less depressing. Despite the clear hardship I witnessed last weekend, the color and beauty of India is undeniable. Here are five images of people going about daily life.
India’s transgender community, known as the Hijra, see themselves not as male or female, but as a distinct third sex. Although they are regarded as a special Hindu caste and are called on to perform blessings at weddings and the birth of male babies, they are shunned by society.
The little income they make from religious ceremonies is supplemented by prostitution. As a result AIDS is rampant within their community. Sadly, their low social and economic status usually puts medical care out of reach.
The Good Shepherd Hospital in Dharmapuri has a specific program for the Hijra. Of the nearly 250 members of the local community 22 regularly come for medical care, counseling and nutrition.
As important as their medical care is, the biggest gift the staff gives them is unconditional acceptance.
I spent this weekend at a small medical clinic in Southern India that caters to the “Untouchables”. Of India’s billion people, over 150 million are considered sub-human and are denied basic health care and services. This hospital, while open to everyone, has a specific focus on serving those who have nowhere else to go.
The stories of the people I met were equal parts tragedy and triumph. One woman wept openly as she explained that she found out she was HIV positive only after her husband died of AIDS. Because of the stigma of HIV, her family kicked her and her children out of their home and took away all of their possessions. With no family or government support she decided was suicide her only real option.
Remarkably, the staff at this little rural medical clinic found her, took her in, and provided both medical and emotional support for her. Today her HIV is being controlled by diet, medication, and a supportive network of caregivers. Now she works at the clinic and is a unique and powerful blessing to the many chronically ill patients.
This was one of the many stories from this weekend that made me want to both cry and shout for joy.
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