Honolulu-based artist and photographer Dana Forsberg was looking for a new challenge and turned to India.

Her project, "India through Girls' Eyes: Empowering Village Girls with Cameras," will allow girls in central India, a region marked by poverty, to have an opportunity to learn an artistic skill that could have income-producing potential.

A fundraiser this weekend will raise money to provide cameras, which the girls will keep. Fuji Hawaii has offered to discount basic digital cameras for $75 — half the retail price.

"Our hope is that this will provide rural girls the chance to showcase their unique vision and experiences," Forsberg said. "The project aspires to build self-esteem and facilitate problem-solving skills, and expand the girls' abilities and potential for employment. We hope to inspire families and the community to value educational opportunities and education for their daughters."

Forsberg will teach 20 girls camera skills during three weeks of sessions. In addition to learning technical skills, the girls will be encouraged to discover their distinctive view of the world. They will be provided with cameras, a photo printer and a site where they can post their images.

The demand for photos of family, friends, and weddings is "tremendous," Forsberg says, yet most villages in the region have no professional photographer.

WHAT, WHERE, HOW:

'India through Girls' Eyes: Empowering Village Girls with Cameras'

Fundraiser and presentation, with Indian food prepared by Gokoi

5–8 p.m. Saturday, April 4, 62 Kaikea Place, Kailua

RSVP: Dana Forsberg 255-7476, dana@danaforsberg.com

On the Web: For more information about the project, or to donate, go to www.sahayog

foundation.org/projects.htm