http://www.kids-with-cameras.org/home/
The above link is the homepage for Kids With Cameras, a non profit organization inspired by Zana Briski's Academy Award winning documentary, Born into Brothels, where Zana teaches Indian children of Calcutta's red light district about photography, and by doing so positively affects their futures.
This non profit is similar to the One Laptop Per Child project that Ben discussed in lecture today. The technology is not only a tool for the children, but also has the power to shape their culture, beliefs, and provide them with the possibility for a better future. The Kids With Cameras mission statement reads:
Kids With Cameras is a non-profit organization that teaches the art of photography to marginalized children in communities around the world. We use photography to capture the imaginations of children, to empower them, building confidence, self-esteem and hope. We share their vision and voices with the world through exhibitions, books, websites and film. By linking with local organizations, we work to strengthen the children's education and general well-being, providing financial support through sales of their prints or by developing our own homes with a focus on leadership and the arts.
Also, if Kids With Cameras interests you, I recommend watching the documentary Born into Brothels. I studied it in Comm last semester and it was really a great film.
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4 comments:
This is a wonderful documentary. I watched for comm 203 as well. It is interesting to see how the kids developed a new understanding of their lives when they took pictures of their surroundings. Taking pictures gave the children a sense of empowerment and confidence. Here in the US, we use a camera to document certain moments in our lives as well, but their use of the camera changed their attitudes. The kids use photography to better their lives.
This is a great post, perhaps you could write your assignment through this comparative perspective, and try to discern where the technological and cultural factors work and not work
This a a very moving documentary that shows how one person can really make a difference. These cameras changed the lives of the children who lived in poverty and prostitution. The children had never even had a camera or other means of technology in their hands before this project came to the red light district in India.
Fan,
That's a great idea! I think I may write my assignment paper comparing the two organizations, what is working and not working for each of them, and the cultural impact of the technology.
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