GORDON WELTERS, GERMANY

In Russia, physically and mentally handicapped children are still sent to state institutions. Human contact, affection, stimulation and encouragement are rare in such institutions, not least because of the lack of staff but also because often they do not have the right attitude towards the children. Many foster children are lonely and no one gets them out of their beds. German photographer Gordon Welters watched the volunteers with great respect while they assisted the children with hygiene, changed their diapers, provided them with medicine, helped them eat, played games with them or organized trips to the seaside. Not the easiest of tasks. Nevertheless, the young volunteers of “Perspektiven e. V.” are convinced that they are able to give back some joy and hope to these children who have been left alone and cast out by society.

Gordon Welters is a German photographer, who is specialised in documentary and portrait photography. In 2003/2004 Gordon studied photo journalism at London College of Communication. Since 2006 he is represented by photo agency laif and became a contributing photographer to Redux Pictures in 2012. From 2009 on he regularly works for The New York Times and for national and international magazines, newspapers and also non-government organizations including stern, Der Spiegel, National Geographic, chrismon, NRC Handelsblad, Die Zeit, UNHCR, Greenpeace and medico international.