Batam
Over the weekend, i visited the neighboring island of Batam, Indonesia. Tagged along with my aunt who happens to also be a lecturer at a tertiary institution in Singapore. Together with some 60-odd students in tow, we made the 45-min boat ride out of Singapore. It was madness having to look out for such a huge bunch i tell you. We met an ex-student of hers who now runs the entire gamut of businesses from solid fuel manufacturing to pubs, restaurants and private apartments.
It was supposed to be an educational trip for the students and i was there to help. So, it wasn't exactly an assignment per se. But i decided to lug along gear just to maintain that discipline of being always intentional and purposeful. By being always ready, i am not worried about being caught out without gear when my next subject shows up.
Considering how little time i have to myself at the end of the day (not to mention how exhausted i was), i have no time to wander the streets on my own. Wandering around a foreign land gives me a sense of purpose. (read about my China trip) You just don't know what to expect. Just engaging people by communicating to them boggles my mind at how diverse and different one human being is from the other. When words and languages fail, even the simplest hand gestures could convey universal understanding.
Below, some kids from the local squatter settlement.
It was supposed to be an educational trip for the students and i was there to help. So, it wasn't exactly an assignment per se. But i decided to lug along gear just to maintain that discipline of being always intentional and purposeful. By being always ready, i am not worried about being caught out without gear when my next subject shows up.
Considering how little time i have to myself at the end of the day (not to mention how exhausted i was), i have no time to wander the streets on my own. Wandering around a foreign land gives me a sense of purpose. (read about my China trip) You just don't know what to expect. Just engaging people by communicating to them boggles my mind at how diverse and different one human being is from the other. When words and languages fail, even the simplest hand gestures could convey universal understanding.
Below, some kids from the local squatter settlement.
"So full of despair, but yet so full of life."
Nobody said that life was fair.
Labels: batam, children, documentary, joel boh, kids, photo, photojournalism, picturestory, reportage, slums
posted by Joel B at
10:13 AM
3 Comments:
omg, you've taken to babysitting? you bow thing... you should have detoured the boat to mumbai. i'd have welcomed you with wide open arms at the dock.
oooh..so that's what you've been up to.. the kids look adorable though.
pinks,
i was ambushed! thought it was a small crowd. in the end, we didn't even made it back in a single sitting, came back via ferry over 3 trips. thats how insane it was.
everyone thought i was from poly as well, nuts.
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