Kickstarter

Join us at the "Dirt Floors and Stone Walls" photo show in Brooklyn, NY tomorrow! There will be food, wine, photos and lots of interesting people. Please come support! here is the facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=136038269790405. Bring your friends! Thank you!

EDUCATION IS A RIGHT, NOT A PRIVILEGE.

This project is not pointing a finger at a people, it is pointing a finger at a huge problem. It is about saving the children of India by helping them get the education they deserve. Through my photographs, I hope to expose the broken system and make things right for these kids. PLEASE SHARE THIS LINK: http://kck.st/ga9A4G WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?

The government of India provides free schooling for children until they are in 7th grade. The problem is that 40% of Indian children drop out of school before they reach the age of 10. Some of these public schools only receive funding once every 3 years and are ordered to keep their gates closed and locked while classes are in session. After 7th grade they must continue their education outside of the government system. Those wealthy enough enroll in a private school, while those lucky enough are accepted into a NGO or charter school. However, less than 8% of Indian families can afford to send their children to private school and getting into a NGO or charter school is nearly impossible. Left with no alternatives, the children get married or go to work for the rest of their lives. It isn't easy to set up these non-governmental schools. The government not only sets restrictions on the schools that are in its system, but also the ones that are trying to liberate themselves from said system. All NGO schools and individuals funding charter schools must sign a contract stating that they will never ask for assistance from the government, despite having to follow its rules.

The children are eager and the teachers are dedicated, but the government is indifferent to the point of negligence.

WHAT'S MY PLAN?

My goal is to return to India and finish my story about the public school system. Through my images, I hope to highlight the unfair discrepancy of quality and resources between the public and private schools. By shining the spotlight on this problem I hope to spur the international community to take action and help me do something about it. The more funding I get means the longer I'll stay and the more I can help these children. WHERE WILL THE MONEY GO? The money donated to this project will go toward my traveling expenses, travel (trains, planes and automobiles!), rentals, guides, translators, food and your AMAZING REWARDS, of course!

Also, upon my return to NYC, I will use the remaining funds to put together a gallery show to present my completed work! HOW DOES KICKSTARTER WORK? I can go over my goal but I CANNOT fall short of it. PLEASE help me surpass my goal!

$4,500 is a break-even amount that will fund my travels and all expenses for 3 months in India. EVERY DONATION RECEIVES A GREAT GIFT AND MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE! IF I DON'T REACH MY GOAL OF $4,500 I WILL RECEIVE NO FUNDING. ............................................................................................................................ NOT A DOLLAR WILL GO UNAPPRECIATED!! Thank you so much for your support.