Extraordinary people survive under the most terrible circumstances and they become more extraordinary because of it.
– Robertson Davies.
**The following photographs have been released by photographers on Flickr who have attributed their work with a Creative-Commons License. Please click on each photo to visit their Flickr photostream.
Muddy Waters
Infant in Brazilian Slum
The Small One
Pitching In
Photo by Meanest Indian
Bodakev Slum in India by Meanest Indian on Flickr.
Squatter Gulbai Tekra Slum, India
Youngster in Kibera Slum
Boy in Kibera Slum, Nairobi
Slum School in Kampala, Uganda
Subscribe in a reader
wow, what an incredible collection of photos. The most arresting photos to me are the ones where the children are smiling. To think that growing up in and living every day in such terrible conditions, and yet these children can still find some happiness. It is incredible and depressing, wonderful and horrible all at the same time. Very moving stuff.
Hi Graham,
I felt the same way as you when I first found these photos. It just goes to show how strong the human spirit is. To find happiness in such filth is truly remarkable. We can all learn a lesson from these people.
I agree G, and arresting is a good word. I am often stopped in my tracks here, when in the poorest sections of the city, children will beam.
An apt quote from Davies. What wonderful images. The smiles in such situation are amazing.
Thanks Stevo. I\\'ve been thinking about writing these posts ever since Slumdog Millionaire came out. I remember going through several shanty towns in Northeast China when I first moved there in 2003. I was horribly fascinated and slightly repelled by how these people live. How do they do it? Most of the people who lived in these areas were peasants who had come to the city in the hopes of having a better life. Shortly after I arrived, these areas were torn down and rebuilt. I never did find out what happened to them.
Wonderful images. Well done to the photographers who shot them, and good searching Carrie.
Thanks Craig.
[...] Several Worlds recently featured a series of photos of slum dwellers around the world by several different photographers. I found these pictures to be really moving stuff. Carrie has a [...]
Wonderful collection of images…wonderful.
Thanks Michael. I\\'m glad you enjoyed it.
Carrie,
I really love these photos that you have taken. We are creating a logo for our program MATUL (http://www.apu.edu/explore/matul). Would we be able to use your photo’s?
Let me know, my email is above
Becca
Hi Becca,
Thanks for stopping by. As stated in the article, these aren’t my photos. Click on the photo to meet each photographer. The photos are available under a Creative Commons license on Flickr. I would suggest contacting them if you wish to use these photos. Thanks again and good luck.
Hi. Just a quick correction – in the picture of the boy from Kenya – the slum is called Kibera. Out of this slum has emerged some very inspiring stories of overcoming all odds in life. Its fame today comes from such stories more than the inhuman conditions that exist there. Here you meet people like Su Kahumbu and her vegetable gardens planted in damp sites of Kibera to provide a source of livelihood and help rehabilitate the slum. From the same slums came such award winning movies like Kibera Kid and Soul Boy that won international acclaim (You can watch trailers of these movies at Enchanted Landscapes).
Thanks very much for your comment and correction. I appreciate it!