Welcome to Through Their Eyes -Photography from Around the World

A chinese lion statue

Thestrength of a photo is that it allows the reader the opportunity toconnectvisually with an individual rather than words on a page.  It is then that many issues and problems of the world become part of the viewer’s reality that lead individuals to question the current state of the world. Unfortunately, photographs also have the potential to commercialize images of poverty and inequality by inaccurately representing the context of the individuals and events depicted.  Thus, there are ethical concerns regarding representation, ownership and benefits within the medium of photography.[1] What must be recognized before viewing this gallery is that each photo offers one perspective and must be contextualized.  In this vein, we encourage all viewers to take the time to read the descriptions that should be used to learn about rather than blindly view each photo.

These photographs come from our experiences volunteering within three non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Kenya, Nicaragua and India from 2007-2011. In Kenya, Lauren Herman aided in the creation of and worked within a microcredit program within The Chelma Advisory Institute that serves  urban and rural communities in the RiftValley.  In India, Nathen Menard volunteered and lived within an orphanage sponsored by The Tamil Nadu Welfare Association that provides education,housing and food for twenty children along with resources for women in Tamil Nadu.  In Nicaragua, both Lauren and Nathen worked within various programs of Compas de Nicaragua that aids environmentally displaced women and their children in Managua.

The subjects allowed us into their lives, homes and communities to take these photos, thus we hope that all viewers recognize what a privilege it is to view these images as an educational and reflective tool.  The photos of Managua are unique in that each is the product of the creative talents ofchildren who were given cameras to document their lives and communities.

All proceeds from the sale of these photographs will be donated to these three NGOsto continue programs that support women and children in the communities that each serves.  If you would like to view more photos or learn more about this project, please email us at throughtheireyesphotos@gmail.com. We hope you enjoy the gallery.

Sincerely,

Lauren Herman and Nathen Menard
Co-Founders of Through Their Eyes Photo Project

[1]Kleinman,Arthur, and Joan Kleinman. "The Appeal of Experience; the Dismay of Images: Cultural Appropriations of Suffering in Our Times." Daedalus:ProceedingsoftheAmericanAcademyofArtsandSciences. 125.1(1996): 1.Print.

Kenya Through Their Eyes

Posted by Lauren Herman on April 20th, 2011

A chinese dragon

These photographs come from Lauren’s experiences aiding in the creation of and working within a microcredit program during June and July 2010 and January 2011 that serves a rural community in the Rift Valley of Kenya.   Each offers a glimpse into the lives of ten women with whom she worked closely to illustrate how each balances their identities as business owners in the informal economy, community members, mothers and microcredit participants. Even though these women do not hold academic based credentials or industry experience, they hold valuable knowledge drawn from their experiences within the informal economy and the microcredit industryof Kenya.

India Through Their Eyes

Posted by Nathen Menard on April 20th, 2011
A chinese dragon

In these photographs two distinct aspects of life in TamilNadu, India converge into one gallery.  First, the images of children living together in an orphanage are salt and peppered throughout the gallery.  Most of the images are of the children smiling, a visual reconstruction that is not far from the truth.  While many consider the life of an orphan to be depressing and sad, few consider that happiness is possible as an orphan.  Even when they were not aware of my presence, the children smiled and played, enjoying the simplicity of life together, as one.  Second, while life is returning to the shores of Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, India in the wake of the Asian Tsunami of 2004, life has forever been altered.  Half the population of Nagapattinam, still have not returned home, and the fishing industry was devastated by the tsunami waves that swept through on December 26th, 2004.  Yet, even amongst the devastation that was left behind by the tsunami, happiness and a celebration of life shines through these photos as well.  These photos from India are the ultimate celebration of the resiliency of life.

Nicaragua Through Their Eyes

Posted by Lauren Herman and Nathen Menard on April 20th, 2011

A chinese dragon

What is especially exceptional about these photographs of Nicaragua is that each was taken by youth living in Managua, Nicaragua, all of whom are individuals of the Global South who are traditionally excluded from knowledge production. Fortunately, film offers the possibility of reversing the roles of teacher and student as these children offer their view of their world to the viewers of this gallery.  We celebrate these photos by recognizing that each offers the viewpoint of individuals who are not often given the opportunity to creatively express their lives and their communities for a worldwide audience.  


Upcoming Project: Kenya 2011-2012Random foliage

Through Their Eyes Cofounder Lauren Herman will be traveling toKenya in 2011 and 2012 to lead in the creation of a consumer educationmanual which will be designed to assist microcredit borrowers in making educated choices in which microfinance institutions they borrow from... More Information.

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