LEAH NASH PHOTOGRAPHY

INDIA: The Unwanted

Udavum Karangal (Helping Hands) is a non-governmental, non-religious, non-profit social service organization located in Southern India. Now in its 18th year the program cares for more than 1800 residents, which are comprised of the unwanted population of India. This includes orphans, the mentally and physically handicapped, and the aged. In a country with more than a billion people, survival for even the healthiest can be a struggle and an estimated 30-40 percent of the population lives in poverty. Helping Hands is one of the few places where those from less fortunate circumstances can find community and acceptance.

For those in India who suffer from psychological problems, there are few options. Even those who are lucky and end up in charity organizations like Helping Hands often have difficulty adjusting to their environments.
   
With 30-40 percent of the population living in poverty, abandoned children are not uncommon and females out number the males by a ratio of 2 to 1.
   
At Helping Hands the line between patient and staff often blurs. Those that are able will often be assigned to feed the more serious physical or mental cases.
     
  
Helping Hands also works closely with The Spastics Society of Tamil Nadu, where disabled children and their parents learn how to adapt to the mainstream. This type of school is relatively uncommon in India and disability still carries a heavy stigma.
   
In India it is estimated that between 2-5 million people are infected with AIDS or HIV. Helping Hands maintains a special ward for children infected with the disease yet they lack money for medicine or treatment.
   
In India to be old is often to be without options. At Helping Hands the elderly are found in the same wards as the handicapped and mentally ill.
     
  
After losing her child to illness this woman was sent to Helping Hands after a break down. India lacks sophisticated therapy and many people fall under the umbrella term of mentally ill with little regard for specific diagnosis.
   
At Helping Hands, entire wards are medicated. This includes the staff.
   
With space at a premium most of the facilities are arranged like dorms with 15 or more people in the same room. As Helping Hands is supported entirely by public contributions, beds are not always available.
     
  
Even though no longer part of society, the female patients at Helping Hands still maintain certain routines. Everyday, make-up is applied and hair done, even though their only audience is each other.
   
The women in the northern ward line up for their summer haircuts. Because of heat and lice they are all given cuts close to the scalp.
   
The community at Helping Hands is not always a friendly one and fights will break out and individuals will be isolated.
     
  
Helping Hands is both a place of tragedy and joy. It is a community of outcasts, yet it is a place where all people can find acceptance and where makeshift families are formed.