1996 Photo Contest, Arts and Entertainment, 1st prize
Photographer

Lori Grinker

Contact Press Images for Natural History

01 January, 1995

Undisturbed by the women practicing around her, Sherifa Fathi prepares the parts for a new piece. She teaches Arabic and music at primary school level. She uses Braille notation; the system invented by Louis Braille - a blind musician himself - can represent all elements of a musical score. The orchestra is the pride and joy of Al-Nour wal Amal (light and hope), a center for the blind. Eighty girls and women live at the center, which was founded by a wealthy landowner's daughter in 1954. Dozens more commute to the center every day. Besides a full school curriculum, the women's education includes handicrafts, cooking and home economics. The musical program started in the 1970s has produced two orchestras of about 35 members each. The main orchestra performs at home and abroad, while a training ensemble of younger girls plays mostly for school audiences.

About the photographer

Lori Grinker

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