Photographer's India Fundraising Exhibitions

Jenny Baker is passionate about India and helping people achieve a better standard of day to day living. Last year she fundraised tirelessly over a number of months, raising almost $2,000.00 towards projects for the Mannan Tribal People in the Western Ghat Mountains in Kerala.

Jenny visited India in August 2009 and carried out volunteer work with YearoutIndia, a non profit volunteer-run volunteering organization, who provide sustainable, long term solutions for problems such as access to clean, safe water supplies and sanitation. They provide kitchens and toilets for schools and families. Buildings for nurseries and assist in building homes for families. Volunteers can also help by working in schools, nurseries, orphanages and health centres on a range of projects. Previous experience isn’t essential, but a willingness to work in rual villages and desire to learn and provide hands on help is more important.

All YOI projects are specific to the needs of the local community, with technologies chosen to be suitable for the villagers to run and maintain themselves.

Last year Jenny specifically raised funds for a solar light project. Due to the high use of kerosene lamps in homes for lighting and the potential for serious health and safety issues associated with their use, Jenny felt a great need to help provide a sustainable solution to replace the kerosene. The fuel is expensive for rural communities, the toxic fumes from its burning are harmful to the health of the people, especially women who spend many hours indoors breathing in the fumes. The fire risk is high as lamps are easily knocked over. Many people have suffered burns and houses have been burnt down all over India due to kerosene lamp use.

Jenny is again raising further funds to be able to provide more houses with Solar powered lighting. Although the people could not afford the set up costs of a basic solar system, they will be trained to maintain and run the solar systems, which will provide many years of sustainable power for their homes.

Jenny plans to visit India again in August 2010, dependant on funds raised. If other people are interested in joining her on this trip they can contact her or the YOI website for further information.

Jenny currently is taking part in two photographic exhibitions, showing her photographic work taken while in India last year. The first is at Kaan Zamaan which runs until Sunday 2nd May, called What a wonder filled world.

The second at Paihia Gallery, Paihia Library is titled The spice of life and runs until Sat 1st May. As well as the framed and unframed prints from which all profit will go to YOI fundraising, Jenny is also selling gift cards and postcards. The postcards can also be bought from Paihia Photos, Hansen’s Café, Paihia and Living Nature in Kerikeri. Postcards are just $2.00 each with all donations going straight to the projects Jenny will do with YOI.

Donations can also be made and further Information can also be found on the YOI website.

Jenny plans to run lantern making workshops during June to celebrate Matariki, if anyone is interested in taking part in these please contact her for more details. She will be running in a number of fun runs, the first being the Waipoua Forest Fun Run in May. Jenny is also keen to do talks to interested groups in exchange for donations and hopes to find possible further volunteers to join her in India.

Anyone wanting further information can contact Jenny by email at jenny@yearoutindia.com or by phoning 021 102 9315. For more information on Yearoutindia visit their website at www.yearoutindia.com