Ghana, Nyagbor Sroe Village, The Volta Region, 2008
High Spirit: GHANA is a social-documentary photo project dedicated to highlighting and exposing the work of non-profits to a wider audience. This project is an Appreciation of Generosity to all American volunteers and international community who committed to change and enrich the quality of lives of the thousands of children and their families around the world.
In 2008 and 2009 I traveled to Ghana to document the work of Foundation of Orthopedics and Complex Spine (FOCOS), an international medical relief organization whose humanitarian mission is to provide free medical care to underserved communities in Ghana and people around the world.
FOCOS members work hard and long, and they do it entirely on a volunteer basis. That said, every one of them considers it a privilege to be part of these medical missions. Their compassion, perseverance, and commitment are nothing less than inspirational.
Image 1 of 23
I have been participant in the following exhibitions:
2007 Exhibition at JCC, Ann Arbor
2008 Exhibition in Detroit, accompanied by the fund raising for non-profit organization FOCOS. All proceeds were donated to FOCOS
2009 Photograph was selected and published by Carlton Book in 'Sacred Journeys' by Rebecca Hint
2009 Solo Exhibition at University of Michigan Hospital, Taubman Center, 48 photographs
2010 Exhibition at JCC, Ann Arbor
2011 Published in ZOOM--Russia magazine, Russians Everywhere segment. Two pages spread includes the article written by Irina Tchmyreva
2011 During months of February through and March participated in the exhibition Women and Photography: Mirror Image, Florissant Valley Art Gallery, St. Louis, MO
2011 During months of July and August participated in the exhibition Themis, St. Louis, University Museum of Art, St. Louis, MO
2011 Chernobyl 25 years After portfolio was selected for FotoFest 2012 Biennial.
2012 In May RIANOVOSTI, the Russian news and information agency, invited me to participate in the project XXI. My Pacific Ocean. 21 photographers, were sent to 21 countries, the members of APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation). My reportage about Philippines was exhibited during Economic Summit in Vladivostok, in September, 2012, followed by second exhibition in October, in Moscow, Tretyakov Gallery. The book XXI. My Pacific Ocean is being published alongside with the exhibitions.
2012 Solo exhibition People of my World in St. Louis, MO, dates of the exhibition October 1, 2012 through month of March, 2013
2012 Selection of 23 photographs is in permanent collection of Israel Museum Library of Art
I published the book High Spirit GHANA. The book chronicles not only the high spirit of compassionate volunteers of FOCOS, but also the strength a generous spirit of Ghanaian people.
This is the link to the book High Spirit GHANA at Blurb:
http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/invited/713559/2a0191e9d29c09e226f0dffc12b31877
I think of myself as an explorer out to discover life while trying to record and understand the essence of human character. I am a documentary photographer addressing social issues that concern me.
Formally a Mechanical Engineer, I became a photographer because of my desire to explore different worlds, to seek and document unique cultures, and to advocate against the dilution of those cultures into a dangerous and dull societal uniformity. My aspiration—to share the stories of the people I meet—is based upon my deep belief that the world is a beautiful and mystifying place, and that the people who inhabit it are enigmatic and fascinating creatures, each with their own unique experience.
Born in Minsk, Belarus, I have lived in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA since 1979
To license this work for editorial, creative, or other uses, click on the OZMO logo above.
This will take you to the Ozmo website where you can review the cost and license for the photographs in this exhibit.
You will need to create an account with both Amazon payments and with the Ozmo website as described on the Ozmo website.
Youth, Global Health, Healthcare access, Community, Volunteers, children, generosity, healing, giving.
I went to Ghana with the FOCOS group two times, in 2007 and 2008. I and my family financed these trips.
In 2007 I became the member of international group FOCOS (Foundation of Orthopedic and Complex Spine. Two times I traveled to Ghana with the FOCOS group documenting the hard work and long hours of team members, who consider it a privilege to be part of these medical mission. My objective was to capture the giving spirit of dedicated volunteers, their compassion, perseverance and commitment. Working for a non-profit organization like FOCOS was an absolute revelation to me: it taught me the meaning of genuine giving. Being a part of the team made me grow as a human being and as a photographer
Ludmila Ketslakh
3130 Mills Ct.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Web: www.ludaketslakh.com
E-mail: lketslakh@comcast.net
Phone: 734-975-9330
