LITTLE PRAYERS (2018)
KASK Photography, Child-Help and IFSBH joined forces to draw attention to the childhood diseases spina bifida and hydrocephalus. For the seventh year in a row a photography student from KASK (Royal School of Fine Arts) was allowed to use photography to visualize these diseases in certain countries; this time in Asia. A (documentary) photo project had to be made about these diseases and the issues surrounding them. Spina bifida and hydrocephalus are diseases that require more worldwide attention. Many countries do not have the means to treat all patients as they should.
This work was made in Vietnam during the summer months of 2018. I was able to photograph in the Children's Hospital in Ho Chí Minh City and in the National Children’s Hospital in Hà Noi. I had the opportunity to visit multiple patients in their homes in and around Ho Chí Minh City and Hà Noi. As a photographer, I found it important to show these people’s living environment, and not only portray them as hospital patients. Once a child is diagnosed with spina bifida or hydrocephalus, it needs urgent care. A lot of families don’t have the resources or transportation to get to the hospital in time. And even if they do, the hospitals are often so full they have to wait a long time to get treatment. I vividly remember the hospital in Ho Chí Minh City, where the corridors were filled with patients and their families because the rooms were already so packed, people were sleeping on the floor.
I’m so thankful I got to be part of this beautiful and hope-giving project. Not only is this a project that addresses an international problem. For me it was also a chance to learn more about the world and its issues. But most importantly: it’s a call for help.
If you want to help fight spina bifida and hydrocephalus you can make a donation to Child Help (click here), IFSBH (click here) or Cure International (click here).