Julien Dorol photos blog

On my last trip to Nepal, I was led to meet with Joyce Van Rijen and Krishna Khaitu which together manage a Non Governmental Organization in Bhaktapur. Their Association "Suvadra" aims to support disabled children and empower them to lead normal lives despite their disabilities. The situation of disabled children in Nepal is difficult and complicated. The families, lifestyle often modest, have difficulty accepting that disability does not understand and can not handle. Children are often treated badly and have virtually no future. It is certainly not a mark of cruelty or malice, but a reaction of impotence due to the low level of education, lack of specialized facilities and assistance to families. Added to this idea and received a few beliefs.

Joyce and Krishna have decided to create a structure to house a dozen children and give them the keys to access the autonomy and power to live independently in society or within their family. I was touched by their approach and how they work: No way to complain about the plight of children, but a real desire to move forward and bring them to a normal life, whatever the disability or incapacity.

After several discussions, we agreed a date for a photo shoot to illustrate the work of Suvadra. The goal was to make images that the association could use to its website or for brochures. It should make images corresponding to the mindset of the association, and Suvadra, bias was clear: to show children living in hope, not disabilities to sad to soften the crowds . This was fortunate, because I do not want to show people in a miserable appearance, but to underline what they give off better, whatever their condition.

I was quite apprehensive before the photo shoot because I'm very uncomfortable with anything related to "medical" and which induces or could induce the "suffering". Even though Joyce and Krishna explained to me the case of each child, I had no idea what to expect and especially how would I feel. But going beyond these fears that progresses, and is anxious but determined that I went to the house Suvadra day shoot.

Before leaving my camera, I first spent time making contact with children. I was especially helped put me at ease, to go beyond my fears, identify each of them and what they release. I soon forgot my fears, because children are very direct and unprejudiced. After an hour and a half of making contact, I started to get my equipment and take photographs. I would have liked to take more time without the camera, but I only had one day to make the images.

I like more and more conduct such commands running on a very short time, conditions that do not control lights and often disastrous. That, I think, the best way forward and to be able to adapt to any situation.

As so often in such situations, the light was what could be worse: a bright sun in the middle of the day and environments not always photogenic. No question of waiting for the beautiful and soft evening light, I had to take the children in their daily lives and in full operation. To avoid shadows on faces too obvious, I sometimes used a reflector to bring light on the parties a little bite. Easier said than done when you have no assistant and we must keep the reflector, directing and photographing specific subjects that move .... A lot. These children have incredible energy and it was not very difficult to carry images of life, joy and energy.

As I work with fixed focal lengths and I had to be responsive, I used for this session, two cases simultaneously with two different objectives (24mm and 50mm). I use very seldom two boxes at the same time because I like to be discreet, but I was quite surprised by how quickly my subjects have "forgotten" devices. Initially, attention was turned a little to my gear, but I quickly felt "invisible" and I was able to capture spontaneous moments and expressions without any discomfort due to my presence.

This experience, beyond the aspect of photography, made me a lot. I was simply impressed by the work and results that getting the association Suvadra. Several children have made amazing progress in a short time and can now consider independent living and a real future. On the other encounter more difficulties and will never attain the independence of some, but they have at least one structure adapted to cope with their disability, as long and difficult this fight may be.

A wonderful experience that I will renew.

If you want to contribute to the work of the association SUVADRA, you can visit the official website , or send an email to Joyce or Krishna .

Tags: humanitarian organization , handicapped children nepal , NGO