Photo workshop with young people
Meu Moçambique, meu mundo
The thoughts of a man are his kingdom.
Wisdom of the Bantu
Since September 2010 we take part in the program Weltwärts of the GIZ (german association for international cooperation) and work as volunteers in social projects of local non-profit organizations in different places in Mozambique.Mozambique impressed us as a country full of contrasts. In comparison between the capital Maputo, the settlement Quissico and the small town Inhambane we notice and understand different lifestyles and situations of the people. We like fotography and found a way to use it and document the different perspectives and reflections about our experiences.
We developped the idea, to offer photography courses for a total of 16 young people aged 12-20 years in each of these places where we live and work. A 2-day workshop, guided by us, will provide an insight into photography and the handling of the camera. Then every participant receives a digital camera for a 2-week period to record individually and by his own conception his/her life, daily routine, thoughts and dreams in his/her pictures. Everyone then creates in a similar pattern, a "personal characteristics" that provides information about the person, family source, requests, etc.. After that we do the evaluation and selection of the photos together for an exhibition and publishing.The results of all participants will be given as a catalog to every young person so as not only the self but also the entire work to look at and own and this way get to know the picture and essence of everyone else in his group, about the village, city and country. The photo project helps to develop an awareness of the diversity of Mozambique - both for the participants, as well as for ourselves.We want to show the results in local cultural sites.Core task is to generate interest and enthusiasm for photography and to inspire young people. Virtual perception and motoric skills are promoted through the use of the camera. In the foreground, the suggestion is to reflect on their own life situation and the expansion of the gaze on the living environment and the country.
16 different Mozambiquan lives are documented individually, they are only a small part of a large country and especially show, that not only the often common generalization of the continent "Africa" is inappropriate - nor should a country like Mozambique or even a town be generalized .This is one of the aspects which we are faced with as volunteers. The country, in which we live or stay, is so versatile and great, that it seems difficult to get to know its culture. It is difficult to classify impressions, to develop opinions and to find an approach to introduce projects and ideas to be a part and 'move mountains'. We will also document and reflect our own lives up to the same pattern as the participants during our year as Weltwärts – Volunteers, .By now we already have realized two courses in the village of Quissico and in the provincial town Inhambane, with 5 participants in each. The implementation, as well as the necessary cameras, we were able to pre-finance through private donations from our families and friends.
Furthermore, we have recorded short films and interviews during the meeting and workshops withthe participating young people. We will combine them to a short film which will also be part of the exhibition.
For us it seemed important to deliver their own results of the course as soon as possible to each group - their images in the form of a Din A-5 booklet to reflect the gained experience visually and with their family and friends who are included continually.In Quissico for example, many have seen a picture of themselves for the first time.