The Underbelly of Kathmandu consists of the new slum areas popping all over the valley. These areas are made up mostly of people displaced from their hillside villages due to the Maoist conflict in the recent years or people from the lower caste (Dalits) who are just too poor to afford land.
The two main rivers, the Bagmati and the Bishnumati, which pass through the city of Kathmandu, are absolutely filthy with raw sewage and garbage. With minimal access to waste disposal facilities, raw sewage and solid waste are often disposed of on the banks or in the rivers by locals and municipalities. The sad thing is that these river areas are often the place where the new urban poor of Kathmandu find space to build their homes.
Kathmandu being the urban center of Nepal, is also rapidly becoming the urban slum central. As we travel through Kathmandu Valley, it was not the majestic Himalayan Mountains that captured our attention, but the rapidly deterioration of the whole valley and the endurance of the people living there.
Larry Louie is a travel and humanitarian documentary photographer. Over the last couple of years, he has used his photography as a platform to high light the work of different charities around the world, along with other social issues and challenges people are encountering in a world facing rapid urbanization and globalization. He wants to engage people in inspiring stories of perseverance and strength, not only of those who have found themselves caught in such a plight, but also amazing individuals and organizations that are lending a helping hand.
Awards 2018 Monochrome Awards- Professional Photographer of the Year – Photojournalism
2017 PDN Photoannual- Personal Project winner
2012 Black and White Spiders Awards-1st place in Photojournalism (Professional)
2010 National Geographic Traveler - First Place Winner
2007 National Geographic Magazine - English Language Contest-First Place - Photo Essay
2007 Conde Naste Traveler Magazine Grand Prize Travel Photo Winner
2007 IPA/Lucie Award - International Photographer Awards-Lucie Trophy Award Winner Amateur
