"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." -Antoine de Saint-Exupéry The innocence and purity of an underprivileged child’s laughter brings joy and warmth to those who have succumbed their existence. Their glee reminds us and teaches us to be happy with what we have and see how wonderful life actually is. The smile is a universal language recognised all over the world, throughout all cultures. It opens people's hearts and forgoes prejudices, fears and judgements as it allows for a personal approach to an otherwise overwhelming loaded topic.
The innocence and purity of an underprivileged child’s laughter brings joy and warmth to those who have succumbed their existence. Their glee reminds us and teaches us to be happy with what we have and see how wonderful life actually is. The smile is a universal language recognised all over the world, throughout all cultures. It opens people's hearts and forgoes prejudices, fears and judgements as it allows for a personal approach to an otherwise overwhelming loaded topic.
There are 138 people of all races living at the 'Pusat' with ages from 9 month-olds to 56 year-olds, who have come from all over peninsular Malaysia - amid them are 100 children. Most have various disabilities such as down syndrome, cerebral palsy, visual impairements, micro cephalous, among others. They were all either abandoned or from abusive households.
With the permission of the director and after having gained the children's trust, I was fortunate to be able to capture their portraits in their normal state of their daily life.
Profound gratitude goes towards Taman Megah’s Handicapped & Disabled Children’s Home in Kuala Lumpur where I volunteered over the summer of 2015.