Picture Change @picturechange - Tumblr Blog

Wow. It's difficult to find words to describe our student gallery show last night at the European Union Center in downtown Podgorica. This is the second show we did for our students, yet this one was definitely more formal and a more of a collaborative effort from multiple organizations and individuals in the area. It was such an honor to present these photos from my Roma students, who are from a people group heavily discriminated against and given few opportunities, in a place as influential as the EU Center. In addition to my (tearful) speech, two of my students spoke about their experience along with a delegate from the European Union. The highlight of the evening was presenting diplomas to these students and seeing the pride and joy on their faces. Also, the official photographer of the evening was @albijonne , One of my students who recently purchased his own camera and has already started taking jobs as a photographer in his community. The gallery, which was originally allotted 5 days for the show, will now be up for two weeks in addition to some of the students being asked back in July to present their work at a Roma Awareness Seminar with the EU. I'm thrilled to see how photography and education went hand-in-hand for this project, and addition to involvement from the local Roma mediators within Podgorica. We're not just about taking pretty pictures in developing countries, it's about creating sustainable change and giving students the resources to develop a new perspective on their lives, family, and community. I'm so sad to leave Montenegro tomorrow, but I'll be posting more from our project in these next few weeks. Thank you for being a part of our journey. - Kate Gazaway (at EU Info Centar)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! Here's to all the moms who support, nurture, guide, and inspire. You are appreciated and you are LOVED!

On Wednesday I took 4 of our female @PictureChange students to photograph Roma women still living in the refugee camp. None of the girls grew up in the camps, but live with their families in apartments nearby. We’ve briefly discussed discrimination of the Roma within society, but haven’t really touched on discrimination within the community. It’s difficult for me to get a read on it because I don’t speak any of the 4+ languages spoken in this city. . We crowded into the cramped shipping containers which house these women and their entire family and, after the initial awkwardness wore off, my girls were laughing with the women, giving photoshoots to their children, and helping them prepare tea for curious crowd that had gathered in the space. . These little boxes surrounded by mud and garbage eventually brimmed over with chaos and joy and hospitality and sharing stories and photos with each other. As we walked away from the camp, my girls excitedly showed me their photos and selfies they had taken with the women. It was somewhat of a cultural experience even for them and beautiful for all of us. . (📷 of Sefkija in her home as she prepared Turkish Chai tea for the 12+ people that crowded in to her home. She's lived in the refugee camp since the 1990s and is a 👸🏻 of hospitality.) (at Podgorica)

Happy Monday, everyone! This past weekend we threw a huge event to close out our #PictureChangeInPodgorica fundraising campaign while simultaneously celebrating the birthday of Picture Change founder, @ladykategazaway. It was a beautiful night of community, dancing, and awareness of the work we will be doing in Podgorica, Montenegro. In the past few weeks we have raised over $11,000 to make this project possible and we couldn't do it without you. A huge and heartfelt thank you to everyone that posted, donated, or encouraged us along the way. The first day of class is Friday, April 8, and we couldn't be more thrilled! Even though the campaign is over, the fundraising page will remain open and active in case you didn't have a chance to donate yet. We still have quite a few amazing perks you can get with your donation. We'll be announcing a blog in the next few days which features what is still available. Just check out www.classy.org/PictureChange. Thank you again, friends. We are humbled by your support and grateful for making this opportunity possible for our refugee students. (at WELD)

#picturechangeinpodgorica

"I am even more interested in succeeding to change society and to see if there is something I can change in my community, whether it be by way of thinking or acting. To achieve this, I hope that the photography and the stories told will help me in this path.” ~ Cesar. Chichigalpa, Nicaragua, (photo by Cesar in May, 2015) In an attempt to measure the success of our projects, I ask the students questions about their experience during the last week of class. Most students say that photography has allowed them to see their community, their world, from a new perspective. It gives them an appreciation for the people they see every day and pride in who they are and where they come from. Maybe photography can't meet immediate needs of food or healthcare, but it can open the minds of future leaders to play an active role in their community. This is who we are. This is how we define success. Please help give the same opportunity to refugee students in Podgorica, Montenegro this Spring. Check out www.picture-change.org/montenegro2016 to learn more.

Meet Nate, one of our incredible fundraisers championing the Picture Change cause in his own community. We asked him a few questions about his efforts. Q: Why did you choose to fundraise for Picture Change? A: I’m a terrible fundraiser, but I could not sit this one out. The mission is too important. Q: WOW! You've raised $550. How'd you pull that off? A: My strategy was a bit different. The organization I work for has a fantastic CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) group. I went to the leadership, presented the Picture Change vision, and asked for $250 dollars. They awarded $500 dollars. My next step is to find some volunteer and educational opportunities for employees through picture change, and further the partnership that was established. I highly recommended seeing if your company has a CSR committee and brining Picture Change to them. Q: What has inspired you the most during this campaign? A: The unique approach that Picture Change has is so fantastic. How many other non-profits can address real problems with such an artistic and beautiful solution? You are feeding them and healing them and giving them hope all at the same time. I believe most complicated problems require a more holistic solution, and Picture Change does that. I’m very excited to get more involved this year! Dang Nate, we're excited too. As it turns out you're also a pretty epic fundraiser. Join with Nate to start your own fundraising page or donate (LINK IN PROFILE). Campaign ends in two weeks! #PictureChangeInPodgorica

#picturechangeinpodgorica

How can photography battle hate?

A few years ago I was in a cafe overseas waiting in line for a sandwich. I asked my friend, who was a native of that country, what a certain word on the menu was referring to.

The woman working behind the counter apparently heard me and when I reached the front of the line and tried to order, she wouldn’t look at me. She looked past me, through me, and took the order of the person behind me.

This happened once, twice, and by the third person I realized she had no intention of taking my order. I stood there holding my money out like an idiot, my face on fire from embarrassment and confusion, tears threatening to spill from my eyes at the sharp pain of discrimination. She wasn’t going to serve me, to acknowledge my existence, because of who I was or where I came from.

When my friend, who was just as confused as I was, realized what was going on, she flew into righteous outrage, yelling at the woman and gesturing wildly. I just stood there burning, eyes turned to the ground, wishing I could melt into a puddle and disappear. The woman grabbed the money from my still outstretched hand, tossed a sandwich at me, and took the next order in line.

That was years ago, but I still feel the sharp sting of her hate, of ignorance and discrimination.

I carry this burden of knowledge with me, especially as I prepare for this upcoming PictureChange trip to work with Roma (“gypsy”) refugees in eastern Europe. Discrimination is an ever-present reality for them, so much so that it was only a couple years ago that Roma children were allowed to attend previously segregated public schools. Without legal status besides “refugee”, they are not able to buy land for a home or find dignified employment to provide for their families.

So what will teaching photography accomplish for a handful of Roma teenagers? Well, to name a few:

Asking these students to share their perspective through the camera bestows value and worth on their lives, their families, their community and culture.

Allowing them to use our cameras show trust and build confidence.

Provide them with a way to communicate without words and share their story with the world via social media.

Raise awareness of their current situation and allow them to take ownership of how their story is told.

Provide an opportunity to earn income and training for a dignified way to support their family.

Be part of this story and show each person has value, that love is greater than hate, that you are important because you exist and your circumstances don’t define you.

Donate to #PictureChangeInPodgorica and/or SHARE our cause with others. Go to www.classy.org/picturechange or click the button below. Through this platform you can become a fundraiser/advocate for Picture Change. It’s so simple, yet incredibly effective.

I hope in all you do that you spread love rather than hate. Have a great weekend, friends.

How can photography battle hate?

A few years ago I was in a cafe overseas waiting in line for a sandwich. I asked my friend, who was a native of that country, what a certain word on the menu was referring to.

The woman working behind the counter apparently heard me and when I reached the front of the line and tried to order, she wouldn’t look at me. She looked past me, through me, and took the order of the person behind me.

This happened once, twice, and by the third person I realized she had no intention of taking my order. I stood there holding my money out like an idiot, my face on fire from embarrassment and confusion, tears threating to spill from my eyes at the sharp pain of discrimination. She wasn’t going to serve me, to acknowledge my existence, because of who I was or where I came from.

When my friend, who was just as confused as I was, realized what was going on, she flew into righteous outrage, yelling at the woman and gesturing wildly. I just stood there burning, eyes turned to the ground, wishing I could melt into a puddle and disappear. The woman grabbed the money from my still outstretched hand, tossed a sandwich at me, and took the next order in line.

That was years ago, but I still feel the sharp sting of her hate, of ignorance and discrimination.

I carry this burden of knowledge with me, especially as I prepare for this upcoming PictureChange trip to work with Roma (“gypsy”) refugees in eastern Europe. Discrimination is an ever-present reality for them, so much so that it was only a couple years ago that Roma children were allowed to attend previously segregated public schools. Without legal status besides “refugee”, they are not able to buy land for a home or find dignified employment to provide for their families.

So what will teaching photography accomplish for a handful of Roma teenagers? Well, to name a few:

- Asking these students to share their perspective through the camera bestow value and worth: on their lives, their families, their community and culture.

- Allowing them to use our cameras show trust and build confidence.

- Provide them with a way to communicate without words and share their story with the world via social media.

- To raise awareness of their current situation and allow them to take ownership of how their story is told.

- To provide an opportunity to earn income; providing training for a dignified way to support their family.

Be part of this “underdog” story and show each person has value, that love is greater than hate, that you are important because you exist and your circumstances don’t define you.