While walking through Cité Soleil, Haiti – the largest slum in the western hemisphere – Babita snapped a picture of a group of rambunctious kids playing a spirited game of soccer with a half-inflated ball. Eager young hands grabbed at the camera to see the image captured on the LCD screen. The novelty of the reproduction faded and most darted off. One remained, diligently pointing at each face on the screen, as if ticking them off in his head. He stopped at the last one. His own. He let out a burst of pure, innocent, giggling glee and scampered off.

 

At that moment, Babita realized for people who live on less than $2 a day, a mirror is an unattainable luxury. This child met his reflection for the first time by process of elimination. For he knew which ones were his friends and which one was the stranger.

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Babita felt dumbstruck. For she never realized a person could walk through life without knowing her own physical self. But photography can change that. It lets a child see herself and her world through different eyes. By learning tangible skills and building self-confidence, she can contribute to her life and her community.

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And thus, the seed for KIOO Project was planted.