Photos for Change

“The first thing I felt was euphoria and absolute happiness. It was a different world, where people were living in peace and harmony with nature,” says Taisia Karpova, recalling the first time she travelled to a beautiful secluded village just outside of Luang Prabang city in Northern Laos. Still, shortly after arriving, she realised the extent of the poverty for a lot of people living in this region, who from day to day coped without either electricity or sanitation. “When the sun goes down there is nothing better to do than go to sleep because there is no electricity. Life fades in the village.” 

It was an unfamiliar world she found, a world where kids don’t go to school because they have to help their parents in the fields, where no sufficient drinking water exists and for a lot of people, the biggest concern is where they might get their next meal from. When Taisia saw the villagers, she felt like she had to do something, but wasn’t sure how she could help. 

Children, especially girls, are disadvantaged, and since their parents often can’t afford the school education for them, as soon as they can walk, many are brought to help with work in the fields and with collecting drinking water or firewood. Still, what Taisia found particularly touching was that a lot of these people were positive and happy about their lives; they were completely ignorant of any other sort of life that could have been for them. 

“Everyone was smiling and warmly welcoming us; nobody asked for money or anything else. Of course all this made me question whether it would be better for these people to keep this ideal world or to receive the benefits of civilisation. I must say it is quite a double feeling.” This is the key idea that Taisia Karpova wants people to think about with her photo exhibition ‘Photos for Change’. 

Originally from Russia, Taisia Karpova is an experienced photographer who has lived in Shanghai since 2008. Her trip to Luang Prabang in 2011 really inspired her, and made her want to reach out and help. “Despite what I saw, I'm sure there are also sadnesses and sorrows in people’s houses when children get ill, or when parents have to send their children to do hard work in the rice paddies instead of going to school. I think if they saw a way out they would accept some changes that we can bring them and we can then make their lives a little bit easier." 

And so she got in contact with Sally Piper Pillitteri, founder of Eau Laos Solidarité (ELS), a French non-profit organisation engaged in educating people in rural schools in Laos about hygiene and sanitation safety. ELS has already gone to extensive efforts in educating children on the importance of hand washing, using a toilet correctly and storing water, which has helped lower the risk of disease in the region. 

Taisia decided she also wanted to help make a change in these people’s lives and so organised the ‘Photos for Change’ charity exhibition of her photographs. Proceeds from this exhibition, which will take place on 8 – 16 September, will go towards supplying more schools with clean water facilities. 

Eau Laos Solidarité also accepts donations which can help support the schools, supply drinking water and sanitation to Luang Prabang. 

Eau Photos for Change Exhibition, 8 - 16 September, 10am - 8pm. Free. Strictly Designers United Gallery. Bldg 3, 601 Waima Lu, near Maojiayuan Lu. Tel: 139 1841 9655. E-mail: [email protected]