Plight of the Poor

The people who have it hardest are not the orphans or the disabled. They are the urban poor. These people are exploited, barely able to support their families and live amongst some of society's most dangerous types of people

I have an aunt who lives with these people. She runs a school in one of the flats, teaching their children and helping them build a future. I paid a visit to her school and I was inspired to take pictures, sharing my experience with you.

Behind this concrete block lies dirt, darkness, garbage, tears, abuse. Behind this concrete block live the group of people who have it worst - the Urban Poor.

Each day, husbands and wives, children and the elderly walk through the dark alley-ways to go to work in factories, and school.

The flats reeked of a stale stench. The sewage water flows into an open drain, sometimes overflowing and flooding the ground floor.

Though this picture might cause offence to some of you, its the bare truth. The poor children live and play among gangsters, rapists and thieves.

These metal grills are the only thing separating them and their home from the criminals that live amongst them. Some of them, having already fallen victim.

Lifts that look like they're from the set of a horror movie. Being stuck inside these horridly small lifts are a common experience for these people.

These people do not even have proper garbage disposal. Hence, they just throw their rubbish from their windows. The rubbish accumulate inside the building. The smell, even more dreadful.

Many of the husbands here abuse their wives, and ride late into the night and spend much of their income on alcohol. Much of the wives and children suffer abuse marks such as skin burns.

A few cents hike in the price of raw materials might mean nothing to you and me, but it brings absolute misery to these people, who's future remains uncertain. So remember how lucky you are, and the fact that you have been given a proper roof over your head, loving family and friends that surround you, the right to education and decent food.

Cheers,

BrianandRepublic

The KLCC Park @ Night

KLCC Park on a clear night. This long exposure shot was taken at the beginning of the Chinese New Year holidays - from opposite Chinoz. My apologies for the long absence, as it has been a busy past few weeks. I took this photograph with my Canon SX 10 IS.

BrianandRepublic

Light in the Dark

The lanterns hanging outside BSC for Deepavali this year are truly amazing, especially at night. Fortunately I had my camera with me to snap some shots of them as they blew in the wind. What a wonderful sight it was.

Wishing all of you, especially my Hindu friends, a Happy Deepavali.

BrianandRepublic

An Evening like This

Evenings like this are great opportunities for me. The light shines through the curtains like bright gold shafts. If I bring out my camera and I'm lucky, I can capture some great shots, like this one of a vase in my living room. I took this picture with my Ricoh R8.


BrianandRepublic

All Eyes on You

I took this picture when I was walking back to school from a Plaza nearby. I had originally perceived it to be a fail due to its blurriness, however when I had uploaded into my computer, my perception changed completely upon noticing the black gem. Taken with my Ricoh R8.


BrianandRepublic

Crystal Balls

I was reviewing my physics paper a minute ago, and I got all the god-damn light related questions wrong. Just when I thought that the whole topic of light was a pain in the ass, I stumbled upon this picture. Indeed, light is beautiful. A photograph taken with my Ricoh R8.


BrianandRepublic

The Tower's Side

If it weren't for the title, I would have probably told you that it was some yellow coloured gem and you would probably believe it. But no, this is one of the Petronas Twin-Towers from the side up. Taken with my Ricoh R8.


BrianandRepublic

An Angelic Guardian

Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here, ever this day, be at my side to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen. This long exposure photograph was taken in my cousin's room with my Canon SX10 IS.


BrianandRepublic

City of Blinding Lights

The more you see, the less you know, the less you find out as you go. I knew much more then than I do now. Neon heart day-glow eyes, a city lit by fireflies. They're advertising in the skies for people like us. Oh you look so beautiful tonight in the city of blinding lights.


BrianandRepublic

It Says it All

Ah, the urge to piss, and the amazing feeling once you've let it go. I took this picture in Hahndorf, a town I visited during my summer holiday in Adelaide, Australia. It really does says it all. I took this picture with my Ricoh R8.


BrianandRepublic

Work in Progress

Since my house is under renovation, and I've been taking shots of its progress. A lesson I've learnt from this is that all things, even an ugly looking wheelbarrow, can look beautiful. I took this picture with my Canon SX10 IS.


BrianandRepublic

Cravings

Being a foodie, I have random cravings for specific types of food. Quite often, these cravings prey on me at random moments of the day, such as late at night or in the wee hours of the morning. This was once a Pavlova from Alexis, taken with my Canon SX10 IS.


BrianandRepublic