The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) opened a photo exhibition on Thursday at Kuch Khaas Gallery featuring its work throughout Pakistan.
The photographs were submitted in a USAID photo competition opened to Pakistanis between the ages of 14 to 20 and runs through September 21.
The competition held earlier this year required that photographs highlight a USAID project anywhere in Pakistan. More than 400 contestants from throughout Pakistan submitted photographs.
In addition to the pictures taken by the young photographers, several photographs included in the exhibition were produced by acid survivors through the Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF). As a result of USAID funding, ASF provided training, cameras and other equipment to many of the survivors.
The project, a component of USAID’s Gender Equity Program, worked with acid attack survivors from around Pakistan to develop the participants’ photography skills as part of a recovery program. The photographs by the acid survivors are being sold to help them earn a livelihood and to become established as professional photographers.
“The photographs on display provide us with a look at the true Pakistan; a beautiful land, and people with strong hearts and limitless creativity,” said USAID Mission Director Greg Gottlieb at the exhibit’s opening.
