Well it’s been almost a MONTH since our photography exhibition at the local Soshanguve library showcasing twenty-four impressive photos of the eight kids in the “Kids with Cameras”-type project. We called the show “Mathlo Go Bona”- in Zulu, “Eyes to See,” a widely known phrase among many local South African cultures. A testimony to the kids gaining better “eyes to see” as well as opening the eyes of their families and communities in the process.
In back, Pretty (translator) and me. Then L to R, Tshegofatso, Nthabiseng, Tshepang, Lucky, Gopolang, Precious (behind), and Baleseng. Alex, my 14-yr. old Creative Assistant, is in front.
Lots has happened since then. After the two-month class, we had a “post-class class” where I gave them their framed photos and we discussed what they’d most like to do now that the class has officially ended. Tshegofatso mentioned journaling about all that happened to them during the class. Many expressed the interest to continue their photography. Lucky suggested we go on a field trip. . . and I got to tell them all that we will go somewhere before I leave, to see a photo exhibition and probably take more photos too. After the class has ended, I keep asking myself what I can do to make this a sustainable project, and many ideas have come to mind. Giving a couple of cameras to the families. Introducing the kids to an organization in Joburg that gives bursaries to interested, underprivileged students. Deep down, my main prayer is that this is only the beginning for these kids. . . It was so much more than a photo class.
Lucky showing one of his photos that he gets to keep from the show.
Since we had our exhibit, something sad happened as well. Alex (my “Creative Assistant,” 14 yrs. old) attended (along with me, my friends Barbara and Daleen, and countless others from Alex’s neighborhood and family) his own mother’s funeral. She had been sick with an AIDs-related illness, and although she was quite ill, she was also very young (38) and it hit our friends, a tight-knit family of sisters, hard. Alex has an older brother Sylvester, many aunts, and an aging Go Go as fellow survivors. We are trying to walk with the family through this as best we can. We welcome all prayers for Alex and the family hereafter.
As for sponsorship, at least half of the children have now been sponsored, as far as I’m aware. We still need about $400 more of the $800. All donations, again, cover the children’s class supplies (journals, prestik, posterboard, etc.), healthy snacks, disposable cameras for 5 classes, and development and storage of the photos, made to CD and copied to flashdrive. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE and help us reach our goal. . . All of the kids are so appreciative of the sponsorship that has come in, and they wanted to express this. Here are a few of their thanks:
To watch videos of our class (all done by Alex), click HERE. . . More video of speeches from the photo exhibit are to come!!
And now for a few of the photos that were in the show. Each kid had one photo displayed from each of their three assignments. Through the lenses of their disposable cameras (Kodak), they explored the themes of what made them happy, what made them sad, and what things they loved. In one class, I also had them write up some explanations of the things, and those were posted along with the photos in the exhibit. Here are some of the exhibit photos (and explanations) from each category, two from each child:
“THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY”
“I like my colors in South Africa. We have 6 colors. I love my country.” - Alex, age 14
“This house is so beautiful- house and flowers and bricks.” - Precious, age 10
“My friend Job does karate.” - Gopolang, age 9
“I love to swim and the water.” - Tshepang, age 8
“I like to play computer." - Tshegofatso, age 8
“THINGS THAT MAKE ME SAD”
“My friend Khensane. She is crying.” - Baleseng, age 9
“Do not throw clothes on the streets.” - Lucky, age 11
“This man, he lives alone. Nobody helps him. He’s sick.” - Alex, age 14
“No shelter. They are cold.” - Tshegofatso, age 8
“It’s dirty, it don’t make me happy.” - Nthabiseng, age 9
“She is crying and she looks at someone.” - Tshepang, age 8
“THINGS THAT I LOVE”
“I love these people.” - Gopolang, age 9
“I like to play soccer with my friends.” - Lucky, age 11
“I love you baby.” - Baleseng, age 9
“Beautiful flowers. I wish these flowers could be my flowers.” - Precious, age 10
“Nthabiseng. I am happy because I pass in school.” - Nthabiseng, age 9
THANK YOU again for following this process. Don’t hesitate to email me at skwoolley.girl@gmail.com with any questions. I’ll continue updating. As I mentioned, I have a sense that this is only the beginning. . .
Wonderful pictures of the children you are working with!