As I take in Benedicte Kurzen's print, I find myself immersed in dialogue with the girl in the photograph. I am instantly drawn to her red shirt, to her feet, to her unwavering posture as she balances the bag of bread on her head. I can almost see the resilience in her stride against the barbed and rugged wall. I think of the small things – What is she thinking at that exact moment? Where did she came from and where she is going? I am careful not to make assumptions. 

Benedicte Kurzen took this photograph in Lagos, Nigeria while on assignment with The New York Times. The article she was working on was about the price of wheat, the growing demand for food and the economy of agriculture. This photograph is a depiction of the inequality in food distribution in the world. It is a reminder of how interconnected our world is – as food prices climbed to an all time high in 2011, the impact around the world was not felt equally.

Through the girl in the red shirt, I also see that global issues cannot be distilled down to simply facts and statistics. Issues such as hunger and food distribution are far more complex than we think. It is the stories, voices and experiences of others that help us understand those complexities and connect us to one another.

What’s in a photograph? A story, dignity, dialogue, bridges between worlds, and inspiration to be a part of those connections.

Benedicte Kurzen’s photograph is one of the prints that was auctioned at Dignity Toronto on December 1st, 2011. The event – an annual photography auction presented by Toronto for Acumen, curated by Nuru Project and benefiting Acumen Fund – celebrates the humanity and multiplicity of stories around the world. The night was a great success: we had more attendees and raised more funds that at last year's event. It was a celebration of human dignity and a night of dialogue on the delicate but powerful threads that connect us in this global village.

- Jyotsana

Nuru Project's mission is to connect photojournalism with non-profits. We suggest selecting Acumen Fund at checkout as the benefit non-profit with your Benedicte Kurzen print purchase. 

Jyotsana Saha is a volunteer for Toronto for Acumen and works at The MasterCard Foundation. If you can't find her, she may be hiding with a blanket, a book of poetry and delicious chocolates. The views expressed in this blog are her views only.