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Through the children's eyes

gardenbug
13 years ago

This week, EPHAS (Every Person Has A Story) has been working in Haiti with the American Refugee Committee, teaching young people how to document their own lives through photography - instead of taking the pictures themselves and submitting their own naive perspective. They are teaching two three-day workshops in the city of Port-au-Prince and then two more in Fonds Parisiens. Students having this new skill will be able to show an honest depiction of the positive changes occurring in Haiti. This does not blanket the struggles, but paints a more complete picture for the world to see.

The Fifteen-Word Exercise™ was designed to create a meaningful frame of reference through which people from different cultures can effectively communicate with one another. The words are important emotions and life concepts, both positive and negative. Participants worldwide take photographs of people and objects that represent each word for them.

Pain • Family • Compassion • Joy • Frustration • Nourishment • Innocence • Funny • Beauty • Fear • Home • Hope • Waste • Loss • Education

I'd like to share with you some photos from this week in Haiti!

FEAR

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Fear by Pierre Jeffte.

EDUCATION

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A well captured "Education" photo by Calixte Devenol.

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Education by Calixte Devenol. Very nicely framed!

WASTE

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‎"Lucky Number Seven" by Corlens Alphonse part of her 15-Word Exercise for "Waste"

HOPE

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Hope by Mackenson Felix. In such an uncertain time in his life, Mackenson felt that any reconstruction happening on the enormous ARC premesis occupied by over 25,000 people was a glimmer of hope for more change to come

A few exercises:

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(From Day One) Castin Lovensky's favorite shot that he took over the three days. This was when he and Lovely Felix (whose work is shown a few posts below) were looking for bright or contrasting color.

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This photo came from Pierre Jeffte's "A day in the life of." Dimia, the photographer, was excited that the shot included a reflection, something we focused on yesterday, even though she was only trying to capture Pierre's daily activities.

{{gwi:150734}}Taken during our "Patterns and texture" assignment by an 8-year-old named Lovely Felix.

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A slightly more beautiful take on an outhouse by Casimir Adbertha.

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Perspective and seeking out fantastic colors seem to be this groups strong suit. This first group is made up of participants who are 8-12 years old. This photograph was taken by Pierre Jeffte.

Comments (7)

  • triple_creek
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    They are doing very well with the assignment!

  • gardenbug
    Original Author
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    On December 7th and 8th, Jean Mackinson took over 200 photos. These photos were all taken at or near Delmas 2 where EPHAS has implemented workshops into the only tent city in Haiti dedicated to the deaf and their families. Jean Mackinson, one of the deaf students, is the one responsible for this young EPHAS group.

    Consider the following two shots that he took on the evening of December 7th.
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    Then on December 8th, he produced this photo. I cannot begin to imagine a deaf person dealing with the hysteria around him.

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    How volatile and unpredictable their lives can be. If Jean is shooting nice teddy bears and candies one day and then 10 hours later he is exposed to such violence and hysteria, that concept is worth exploring.

  • gardenbug
    Original Author
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    While protests broke out calling for President Preval to quit, we were in Terrain Acra focusing on honing student skills. One new ability the students have now is how to capture motion as seen in the fraying tarp in this photo by Joseph Ricardine�s (13 y/o).

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    This photo taken by Perrier Anchelo, 14 y/o, shows the clinic and the closely monitored "Child Friendly Zones" where all classes take place including our workshops.

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    Home at Terrain Acra, by Freyiste Woody, 14 y/o.

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    CFS: Child Friendly Space by Derline Berzile, 9 y/o.

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    From our 15-Word Exercise: "Fear", another work by Freyiste Woody, 14 y/o.

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    Follow EPHAS to Fonds Parisien tomorrow for the last leg of their trip. Use the map below.

    Here is a link that might be useful: dynamic Haiti map

  • gardenbug
    Original Author
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    You can read about temporary vs permanent housing (and more)at the blog below.

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    You can also find out about Waveplace donating laptops to the Wozo youth choir. What charmers!

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    Photo by Tim Falconer

    Here is a link that might be useful: Progress

  • gardenbug
    Original Author
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    The top photo above of Fonds parisien's newest homes was taken yesterday by Jean Baptiste Brigitte, 15 y/o.

  • flowerluvr
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    What a spectacular idea! There is much food for thought in these snapshots of life, thank you for sharing them.

  • gardenbug
    Original Author
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Thank you Brenda...I find this project almost all-consuming.

    Do keep checking the blog. I try to add to it every day. We just can't forget these kids!

    Here is a link that might be useful: The children...

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