If you've seen the Academy Award-winning documentary Born into Brothels, you know the remarkable results that filmmaker Zana Briski achieved when she gave cameras to the children of prostitutes living in the red-light district of Calcutta.
Inspired by Briski, who delivered the second Carr Lecture at the College last fall, David Schlenker '13 adopted a similar approach in his SEE-Beyond assignment this summer, made possible by a $4,000 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Interning with the nonprofit Project Why to teach English to fourth- and fifth-graders in South Delhi's Okhla slums, Schlenker--a history and international affairs dual major--decided to step it up a notch and simultaneously teach the essentials of photography.
"History on the hoof"--research for use by living, local clients--is bringing four students to Saratoga's public library March 4 to give talks on the city's religious traditions and architecture.
David Schlenker, class of 2013, will be heading to New Delhi, India this summer for an 8 week teaching internship. He also recently received the Educational Experience Award (SEE Beyond) that will help fund this endeavor. Below are excerpts from an essay he wrote on the project. Congratulations to David!