Shutter Sisters

To Stand on Broken Ground

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I dreamed about this place several months ago… stepping slowly through mud and feeling a little tentative on broken ground. In my dream it was dim. I walked with people I didn’t recognize and sensed curious eyes upon me, but I felt comfortable. Like I was meant to be there. I felt peace.

So it was oddly familiar when Jen and I walked with new friends, Renu (pictured above), Mukesh, Subhash and Sabi through one of Kathmandu’s largest slums, home to many of Renu’s students at Koseli, the school she founded. It was a gift to be invited here. To walk on this ground, step in these homes, and hear “Namaste.” To share a glimpse of this reality.

I don’t really have words yet to describe all that we experienced throughout Nepal. I could relay the sequence of events, identify the geographic destinations, share the motion sequence of steam lifting from a glass of chai on a worn wooden table beside a bumpy road, and show you the lighthearted iPhone images I made along the way… but the real weight of the experience sits in my images of the people who shared their lives with us. Jen and I are eager to introduce these Nepali people to you over the next several weeks, maybe even months… but for now, I want you to picture yourself standing on broken ground. And I want you to imagine what hope might look like.

Comments

  2. Thank you for this post. It reminds me to be thankful for what I have EVERY second of every day and to be driven to do something, anything, for those in this world who live on broken ground every single second. Thank you.

  3. thank you for this invitation (and for sharing your sacred journey with us). simply, i walked into your image and deeper into my soul.

  4. Very moving post and images. I love the last part….. "but for now, I want you to picture yourself standing on broken ground. And I want you to imagine what hope might look like." Makes me very appreciate all that I have. Thank you for sharing.

  6. The second image is deeply moving and really allows me to feel the standing on rocky ground question in my heart. The man on the

    left I want to know what he is thinking what he will do next in his day. Great editorial work.

  7. To hear "namaste" in the midst of extreme poverty…to realize there is still grace and dignity and respect despite struggle and broken ground…it gives me courage. And hope. I can’t wait to see/read more. Welcome home.

  9. yes… i reiterate what someone else commented. life has been scary for me with no income and no unemployment benefits, and i tend to dwell on all of that. so reading this was good for me. there are so many who daily live without much more than i temporarily live without, and so today, i will be thinking of those who are less fortunate and in great need. and i will hope with them.

    wonderful photos that capture this reality so well. i look forward to more from your travel experience.

  10. What a wonderful journey you’ve had in Nepal. Thank you for sharing both your experience and your images.

    I experienced something similar when I traveled in South Africa a few years ago – the spirit of the people I met on my journey was nothing short of inspirational. This photo was taken in a make shift dwelling in Soweto not a stone’s through from where they were building a brand new stadium to host the World Cup. The contrast was stark and hinted at some of the change these people could look forward to.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/52055227@N07/4860420663/

    It is my hope that, following the World Cup, Soweto has fewer make shift buildings.

  14. if interested u can follow the progrees of the school or kids @ renu shah bagaria on twitter

  15. Such a powerful message in just one image as I sit and look around at all I have I am reminded to be thankful each and every day and not take one thing for granted.