Kids with Cameras

Basic Human Needs. “Be the difference you want to see in the world” Mahatma Gandhi. Basic Human Needs is a grassroots charity which focuses on the needs of the poor and underprivileged people living within the city of Varanasi, India. The charity was set up in December 2004 and specifically raises awareness towards issues relating to the developing world and especially the lower caste communities within India’s society. The charity aims to provide the fundamental human needs relating to food, shelter, health, education and love. 2005 brought forth the opening of a new school with a mix of both local teachers and volunteer teachers from western countries. The Basic Human Needs education programme needs to be both effective and motivating for the children. A child’s normal environment consists of living in relative squalor at the side of the streets so the classes aim to provide a basic level of education in areas such as language, art, music and maths. All subjects are taught in a creative and fun manner which will benefit not only the individuals but also their families and the community as a whole. Additional funding helped to establish a hostel in November 2006 which is now home for the children who have been attending school. Although most children do have families - they can be exposed to violence, drug abuse, unsanitary conditions and very little positive influence so Basic Human Needs provide a clean safe home with 24hr supervision, a basic education, food and water, medical care and cloths. Kids with Cameras. In November 2006 a workshop took place which involved the street children in a participatory photography project. Adrian Barber and Zoe Rothwell both volunteered their services to work with a group of children in a camera workshop with disposable Fuji cameras brought from England. The workshop was a huge success with the children documenting and producing images depicting their own lives, their families, their homes, their friends and favourite places…….a Varanasi that only they experience through their own unique perspectives. The following images contain an overview of the participatory project.

A local teacher… Children engage… Daily meals are… Child enjoys th… Clean water is … A French doctor… A stethoscope i… Children watch … Girl dances hap… The children ar… The children le… Another worksho… Teacher observe… Girl proudly sh…

Keywords children india street camera workshop charity varanasi issue project participatory photography