The Problem with Food Banks

“[Taylor] is philosophically opposed to the food bank’s existence because as long as the food bank exists, the government will never be forced to look at the real reasons people come to food banks,” says Aason.

He rhymes off those reasons: lack of a living wage; lack of affordable daycare; lack of affordable housing. “The single parents that come to us have to work two or three jobs to sustain themselves.”

Read the rest of this great article from The Tyee here.

MarchForth: the impact of photography spread by @100cameras

I want to share a story with you. It comes from one of my most prized possessions, Grace: Africa in Photographs by the late Andrew MacNaughtan. In the opening notes section, Karen Bliss speaks on Andrew’s experiences. I highly recommend everybody purchases this book. I wont go into too much detail now but do look into it. In essence, one of the most amazing photographers I have ever seen traveled to Africa and was able to capture all the amazing aspects of such a unique place. In the introduction, Andrew shares one of the most touching stories I have ever read in my life.

“I put him over by a tree where there’s shade and better lighting. He’s standing there and I’m shooting and he said ‘What do you want me to do?’ I said, ‘Anything.’ ‘Do you want me to dance?’ he asked. Seems like everyone wants to dance for me,” Andrews laughs. “So I said, ‘Sure.’ Then he asked, ‘Can I take your picture?’ I showed him how to hold the camera and he started clicking away. We really connected. It was one of those great moments.”

…

Days after Andrew left Kenya, his sister learned that her brother had borrowed the local pastor’s point-and-shoot camera and started photographing the local community. “She wrote to Cathy saying that he was so inspired by what I had shown him,” relays Andrew. “She explained that he had started school later than most because he was needed at home to help his father with their livestock. So by the time he did attend school, he just didn’t see the advantage of going, even thought most kids are excited to be there and the opportunity for education. He simply hadn’t yet discovered something he was passionate about.”

Andrew and company then raised money to buy this boy his own camera. He now prints and sells his photographs, buying seven goats and saving for college with the profits. He plans on going to college in Nairobi for photography.

“The purpose of this book is art through photography,” says Andrew, “and it’s photography that inspired this kid to become a photographer and he’s using photography to change his life…”

Those who know me know how passionate and dedicated I am to photography as well as humanitarian aid work, especially in impoverished African areas. I have always felt a connection between art and social change. I feel that it is my life’s purpose to forge this connection even stronger and create change through art. For these and many other reason, I chose to take part in March Forth with a wonderful organization by the name of 100 Cameras.

100cameras teaches children how to tell their story through photography. With cameras in hand, the children become the storytellers in ways that a foreigner could not. This encourages a stronger self-view, resulting in higher levels of confidence and ownership in their identity. And ultimately, in their future.

This amazing group empower children around the globe through photography. They teach children how to tell their stories through the lens of a camera. With no cost to the children, 100 Cameras gives them a camera to document their lives then sells these photos with all profits going right back to the photographer. And these children truly are photographers and storytellers in every sense of the word.

Don’t believe me? Check out this story from Sudan.

In 2008, 100cameras launched the first ever project at St. Bartholomew’s orphanage in Kajo Keji, Sudan that serves as a home to 80 orphans who had lost their families during the 21-year civil war that was ravaging their country. The orphanage was founded by Sudanese war widows and primarily focuses on caring for orphans and the disabled within the growing refugee population.

To date, the sale of the children’s photos has enabled St. Bartholomew’s to improve the conditions of their current orphanages and begin plans for expansion.  They have been able to construct a protective fence around the entire campus which was necessitated by the increased rebel activity in South Sudan during the 2010 North & South referendum voting.

I strongly encourage you to look at this organization, check out what they are doing and buy a print. Not only are they stunning, they directly help children in so many way. Children who need and deserve the help. Go to their website, check out some featured photographers and check out their social media. Such a simple idea, near and dear to my heart, and an easy way to do some good. Make some change.

And spread the change! Share this with your network! Bring up the photo you buy with guests. Take two seconds to tweet about them. So many easy ways to help. It only takes two seconds of our time, but it creates a lifetime of a difference in a child’s eyes.

Mission. 100cameras empowers marginalized children to document their lives through photography and to create
positive change in their own communities. 100% of the money from the children’s purchased prints is used to raise
awareness and capital to meet physical needs and empower sustainable growth within their community.

http://www.100cameras.org