The mission of ImagineAsia,
a 501(c) non-profit organization
founded by Steve McCurry,
is to provide opportunities to
children and youth in Afghanistan.
Amina, Bamiyan
One of the programs sponsored by IA is the Young Women’s Photography Initiative. The goal of the program is to give students the opportunity to document their communities by giving them the tools to create their own art.
Madina, Bamiyan
“Photography is one of the ways to show or reflect the
realities of our community to others.”
-Marzia, YWPI student
Zainab, Mazar-i-Sharif
Participants are enabled to have a voice as they “see” their
neighborhoods and communities in new ways.
Zainab, Mazar-i-Sharif
Zahra, Mazar-i-Sharif
Karima, Mazar-i-Sharif
Ranging from street photography and landscapes to
portraits and candids, the images radiate with
resiliency and hope of each young photographer.
Zahra, Herat
Zahra, Herat
Shokofa, Herat
Hania, Herat
Hania, Herat
Sughra, Kabul
Mahsuoma, Kabul
Fatema, Kabul
Mariam, Kabul
Rizagul, Kabul
The students’ photos portray universal themes and
reflect the resiliency of their culture,
which gives them a powerful voice.
Kobra, Bamyian
Unknown, Bamyian
Shrin, Bamiyan
Amina, Bamyian
Rizagu, Kabul
“It encourages me to search and find new and
real things in my community.”
-Naderah, YWPI student
The pictures captured by these students are remarkable because they have never used a camera prior to the class.
The teachers were Mariam Alimi and Gulbuddin Elham.
imagine-asia.net
Nice frames.
On my these are simply wonderful! What a fabulous project …
I’m really impressed! Yes, a great opportunity for young people to find a way of expression, in their hard daily reality. Afghanistan is such a lovely place and gives wonderful opportunities to “freeze” special moments of daily routine into a picture. You’re amazing Steve, we do need more people like you (but as well on top of governments) we could have a better world!
Be blessed :-)claudine
Beautiful images.
wonderful photos and excellent work.
By encouraging Afghan girls to express themselves artistically, you have opened opportunities that could change their lives. Keep up the excellent work. (I witnessed first hand the plight of young girls while working next door in Pakistan in 1970s. They had no opportunities to look forward to, not even school!
Exquisite photos
such wonderful photos thank you.
Thank you for providing these young women with potentially life changing opportunities to change their lives for the better. Already each photograph conveys a strong message and stark reminder of how much we take for granted.
Wonderful 😍
Awesome
Reblogged this on My Blog.
Remarkable images. I love them all but the children speak loudest.
brilliant! blessings on their endeavors and on you 🙂
Steve, I thank you for the foresight to put cameras into the hands of these young Afghani women. To be able to declare what is important by the click of a shutter has given them the inviolable right to declare what THEY think is interesting, important, unsettling, beautiful or true. Thank you for recognizing that need and providing the young ladies the wherewithal to feel their self-worth. (I must add that I’m a huge fan of your work. When I see a new McCurry photo or one I’ve not seen before, I just think “He’s done it again!!” Wishing you all the best, Sonia)
Your projects and pictures are always a source of inspiration for the photographic community. Congratulations and good luck with the project!
Still working on the quilt of Steve’s photos. It is now generally called the Steve McCurry quilt. I think I have 3 portraits to go before I will start to put it together. These photos are lovely and such a way to give back
Life is a Journey Carol Fagan 07 8787933 mob 021319448
A quilt? of photographs? My mind is struggling to conceive of this 🙂 Could you explain a little more, please?
A wonderful way to support these young photographers and the communities that Steve has portrayed so beautifully. The faces and expressions are so unique and the focus of giving artistic expression is so important in a world where there is beauty as well as the ugliness that is often portrayed
I am so impressed–by the photos, yes but also by the clarity of their vision, of their open hearts and eagerness to share their realities.
Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
I see Asia … through your eyes!! Amazing photos …
I am so humbled when I know of people like yourself, the teachers and students working so hard to bring meaning to life and culture. Thank you for this. The pictures are marvelous. Clearly your students are imitating the master. Well done!
Beautiful.
You are doing good things – and the students are very talented. Beautiful. Hopefully this will go on.
Love , Maestro . Dios siempre te bendiga .
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Tout simplement magnifique. Mon coup de cœur Shrin, Bamiyan
Reblogging to sister site “Timeless Wisdoms”
Wow! Wonderful! 👍😊
They are arresting photo’s, well done to teachers and students.
Amazing and wonderful. Well done all.
You and your students are making a difference in the world. Hopefully, if people see the beauty of other cultures it will lead to world peace someday. Thank you.
I echo your insights, Heide. Well done Steve, students and teachers !
Some excellent images…especially considering these young people have never used a camera before….touching, humane photographs
Beautiful and important. Thank you for being involved with giving children a voice and a way to share their world.
To say these students’ photos are “remarkable” is quite an understatement! The depth and humanity of their work is overwhelming. What a beautiful thing you’ve brought into the world … and what a legacy you’re creating.