World Press Photo 2022: The award-winning press photos of the year
“Valim-babena”, Photo Story of the Year
With the dignified and intimate photo project “Valim-babena” about people suffering from dementia in Madagascar, photographer Lee-Ann Olwage was awarded the World Press Photo Award for the “Photo Story of the Year”. In the African country there is a lack of public awareness of dementia and those affected are often stigmatized. “Dada Paul” (91) has been living with the disease for 11 years and was often labeled insane by his family. Only his daughter Fara was able to correctly interpret the symptoms and is the only one who takes care of him. Her story illustrates the Malagasy principle of valim-babena – the duty of adult children to help their parents.