Author:
Schaefer, Linda
New Page 5
When Schaefer first showed up unannounced at Mother Teresa's headquarters in
Calcutta in 1995 and begged to be allowed to do a photo book of the nun's life
and work, the answer was a humble but firm "no." Instead, Mother
Teresa put Schaefer to work as a volunteer, changing diapers and playing with
the children in one of the Missionaries of Charity's 40-odd orphanages. Over
time, as Schaefer's motivations shifted from a drive to merely document to a
desire to participate in the ministry, the nun permitted her to bring out the
camera. The result is this unique, behind-the-scenes collection of photos from
various outreach centers throughout India, including a leper colony and a
hospice for the dying. Schaefer draws on her own experiences and on interviews
with other volunteers, who come from many different nationalities and religious
backgrounds.