I AM: India

I AM: India, completed in March, 2010 was the first official I AM: Project, after pilot projects in Paris and New York. The project succeeded in serving over 175 underprivileged children living in Mumbai and its surrounding suburbs and slums. The culminating exhibition, featuring photographic as well as hand-drawn self-portraits, celebrated each child and brought together four NGOs who had never before worked alongside each other. These organizations continue to join forces for special events and fundraising, ultimately increasing their outreach impact on the children of greater India.

A major exhibition of large-scale photographs was presented at Omi International Arts Center, where the portraits drew the attention of hundreds of New York State students of all ages. The face-to-face experience of looking into the eyes of a child from thousands of miles away, while recognizing underlying similarities marked the beginning of the more global ‘picture chain’ to come.

Participating organizations:
C.H.I.P. (Chilren In Pain)
School for children living in suburban slums
Mumbai Mobile Creches
Education and day-care facility for children living on construction sites
Nanhi Kalis
Centers for primary education for underprivileged girls
Akanksha
Nation-wide formal and non-formal education centers for underprivileged children

Very special thanks to Novela Corda, Tarik Currimbhoy, Nalini Das, Francis Greenburger, Geeta Karani, Rekha Menon, Rahat Nathani, Vrishali Pispati, Arti Vakil.