Youths learn the art of digital photography at Kalej village. A Telegraph picture

Darjeeling, Feb. 18: Digital photographs clicked by a group of 24 young men and women of the hills are to be showcased in World Hunger Action Centre that is expected to come up in New York by the year-end.

The youths in the age group of 18-30 years, who reside in Kalej Valley a tea garden 20km from Darjeeling, are being trained by students of the mass communication department of St Joseph’s College (North Point) and members of the Community Heath and Advancement Initiative (CHAI). The CHAI is an NGO funded by Mercy Corps.

Headquartered at Portland in the US, Mercy Corps plans to raise $5 million for construction and an equal amount for operation of the hunger centre where students, residents and tourists can learn about the challenges of hunger and look into ways to help people understand the global issue.

“Our students are teaching the youths the nuances of photography and videography. We are also showing them the application of basic software to hone their editing skills,” said Vikram Rai, a lecturer of the college.

The youths have contributed Rs 9,000 and the CHAI has provided a matching grant to help them buy their own digital camera. The NGO has also donated other equipment like laptop.

While the youths have already bagged a contract of taking photographs of job-seekers under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme at a remuneration ranging from Rs 10-12 per individual, the larger aim is to help them come up with a sustainable source of income.

“During the six-month long training, the youths will also come out with a newsletter to document the activities of the community. This will be done under Hamro Awaaz (our voice) project ,” said Rai.

CHAI has already applied for funds to set up a media centre in Darjeeling to concrete the project.

“The media centre will be built on CHAI's existing partnership with St Joseph’s College on the project which focuses on information, education and communication material, screen printing and design for handmade paper products and video production,” said Sanjay Gurung, the project director of the CHAI.

The students at the centre can be hired later to produce multi-media products for commercial purpose, local government agencies, civil society groups including NGOs, and community events such as weddings, said Rai.