Can you imagine the life of a Gen Z kid without fiddling with a camera? We thought of adding a bit more panache to their skills by learning the techniques of photography. In collaboration with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation we organised a one week photography workshop for our students from Shatila and Bourj al Barajneh educational institute. Two excellent trainers from the Foundation joined our near 15 students for the training.
Every day the squad would be taught a particular photography technique and then sent out into the camp to do the magic with their cameras. At the end of the training, the students were given a creative project. They had to narrate the story of a person of their choice through photographs. It was really interesting to see whom the kids chose and what snapshots they clicked.
Aisha, a grade 9 student, chose a little boy who collects garbage in and around the camp. She accompanied the kid and recorded bits of his life in photos. Abdullah, a group 10 student, recorded the story of Mohammad, a young man who works two jobs to support his family of seven.
In the beginning it was a little bit hard to go outside and apply the technique in real life. I was also scared of asking strangers to take their photo. But with practice, I got the confidence to talk and click pictures.
– Abdullah Hijazi, Group 10
The trainees shared all their pictures with their mentors from the Foundation. The best ones made it to the photo exhibition. Find the full exhibition here.
Here are some pictures from Aisha’s photo story, truly justifying that photographs are as powerful as the written word while narrating a story.
