Hyderabadi Street Kids
a Fundraiser for Street Children in India
order photos and painting online or call 001-631-838-7020
When I would walk back and forth from the library and grocery store to my grandparents’ house in Hyderabad, India, I used to keep running into a group of street kids who lived behind the house.They would run around me playing and one of them, Ravi, always was chatting away with me. They would even ask me to play cricket with them. I had my handheld palm pilot with a camera in it usually and one day, I asked them to pose for pictures.The camera had a two inch digital screen in which they could see the picture I just took of them. It was the perfect instant gratification that children tend to crave. I continued taking pictures of them for a few more weeks until I sadly had to leave them and go back to America.
Even with all this revelry, the reality was that they were 7-9 yr olds who were working--selling used newspapers in this case--breathing poluted air from the dust and cars in the streets and were estranged from their families or were orphans. They were taking care of a baby too, who I have to say, actually appeared haggard.
Street children work, roam and play in the streets of India at the same time acquiring adult habits such as gambling and smoking. They live in abject poverty and have no or very little school education. They sleep on the sides of streets, and in neglected sumps—anywhere there is a seemingly ininhabitable place.
I have photos I had taken in 2004, while Ravi and his gang were playing, and I have painted a watercolor inspired by one of the photos. I will be giving all of our profits from the sale of these pieces of artwork to various charities for street children and orphans. I also hope to settle any doubts about the authenticity of "Slumdog Millionaire" with my photos, and raise money to help children like the ones portrayed in the film and bring more awareness to this crucial issue.
This is your chance to contribute while receiving a piece of art in return. Please write your name, order and contact information on the envelope, place the cash or check inside it and put the envelope in the bowl. I will contact you and make arrangements for you to have your order mailed to you (mailing only for unframed pieces) or picked up.
I will write checks to Sphoorti, an underpriviledged childrens' organization and Child Home an orphanage in Hyderabad, and various reputable street children organizations so no contributions will be lost in corporate paperwork. Please feel free to contribute whatever you wish—even a few dollars. I will write up a donor list and mail it with the checks I will see that it reaches the charities and organizations as well.
Thank you for your support!
~Anu Annam
Please email me for more details and inquiries on purchasing orginal art, and multiple orders.
To donate only, please email me.
