Thank you About Dream Big The Project The Kids Financials Contact.
14
-
Upload
dulce-seabourn -
Category
Documents
-
view
214 -
download
0
Transcript of Thank you About Dream Big The Project The Kids Financials Contact.
Thank you
About Dream Big
The Project
The Kids
Financials
Contact
Thank You
To those who made this project possible,
Thank you for your special gift to the kids of Oaxaca, Southern Mexico. Through your support the ‘Cameras for Kids’ project has touched the lives of more than twenty amazing kids and more than a dozen families.
Most of these kids had never used a camera before. They come from poor families in poor neighbourhoods in the poorest state in Mexico. They live in makeshift aluminum sheet housing, with six to eight to a bedroom, dirt floors and limited or no mattresses. They go to school when they can, but spend most of their time working the streets with their parents selling trinkets or cigarettes or anything else that makes ends meet.
This was a chance for them to momentarily step out of their day-to-day lives, and through the lens of a camera have a bit of fun. But it was also much more than that; it was a chance for them, for maybe the first time in their lives, to really explore their imagination, open their eyes to new places, to new experiences . . . to possibilities.
Over four weeks, we came to know dozens of amazing kids, their stories, their troubles, their talents. Many are incredibly smart and creative. With the right opportunity they will have a bright future. You have given them a chance to dream big, laugh loud and live large and for that we sincerely thank you!
Special thanks to: Lily and Alejandro (Oaxaca Street Children Grassroots), who we worked with over many months in planning the project; Leah & Tricia, volunteers from the US who were fantastic at translating for us and helping out on excursions to ensure we returned with the same number of kids as we’d left with; Leica for donating the cameras; and of course to everyone who made a donation to make this project possible.
About
Dream Big is a not-for-profit organisation
established in 2007. Our Goal is to give underprivileged children and their guardians in developing communities the chance to Dream Big, Live Large & Laugh Loud just like the rest of us.
We work closely with partner organisations and locals on activities that support the children’s education, healthcare and livelihood. What we are doing is simply another little step towards helping others circumvent the poverty trap.
We achieve this through: Projects Sponsorships Fundraising
ProjectsWe focus on sustainability with long-term benefits. Specific projects include Helping out at Orphanages, Education, Job-Skill Training, AIDS Awareness, Microfinance, Rehabilitation of Street Children and ‘Cameras for Kids’.
SponsorshipsEducation and family support.Specific sponsorships include Orphanage Support and Education (including schooling, fees, books, uniforms, construction of schools, school libraries etc).There are two key aspects to the sponsorship programs:
We work with our partner organisations directly and have established sustainable and trusting relationships
We meet and interact with all the children we are supporting in the program directly
FundraisingSurvival and Education becomes a possibility!The smallest of donations go a long long way! Our projects and sponsorships are made possible through fundraising activities. We also arrange donations of physical goods such as clothing, healthcare and educational items.
The Project‘Cameras for Kids’ in Oaxaca
An Overview
‘Cameras for Kids’ was a 4-week photography project. This
was more than just a workshop teaching kids how to use
cameras. Our number one goal was to create a fun environment
for the kids to promote confidence and self-esteem. We were
hoping that giving these kids a camera and allowing them to
experiment and see the images of their own creation would
spark creative juices that just might stay with them forever.
Our secondary goal was to provide direct social & financial
support to the kids and their families.
Oaxaca City, in southern Mexico, is a beautiful colonial city
with a rich art and craft culture stemming from its largely
indigenous population. It is the historic home of the
Zapotec and Mixtec people. Oaxaca is one of the poorest
regions in Mexico, depending largely on tourism.
All of the children in our project are of indigenous
heritage. They come from poor families and often have to
choose between attending school or working on the streets to
make ends meet for their families.
We worked with an amazing bunch of twenty kids between 6 and
18 years of age. The workshops were held at Oaxaca Street
Children Grassroots (OSCG), our local partner organisation.
The Project‘Cameras for Kids’ in Oaxaca
The Workshops
The first week was all about getting to know the kids and introducing them to cameras. Most had never used a camera before but were eager to give it a go! A typical class would begin with a ‘talk and learn’ session, followed by a ‘walk and shoot’ session which inadvertently became a ‘run rampant and shoot’ session. If we could fit it in, we might finish with a game of Mexicano football!
In the subsequent weeks, we would teach them everything from basic photography to colour, shape, composition, contrast & shadows, reflections, black & white and even macro (close up photography). To our amazement the kids relished the learning experience. They took on every new class with gusto. We still remember the excitement on their faces every time we arrived at the centre. We also took the kids on several excursions outside the city which they thoroughly enjoyed as most would not get the opportunity to do so.
The photographs that were captured by the kids through the workshop were simply extraordinary! It is amazing to see the world from a kid’s eye and even more amazing to see first hand, their creative talents emerge.
On the final Saturday we held a photo exhibition at the centre, where the children’s work was displayed. This was a rewarding moment for the children and their families.
What was most amazing and rewarding was being able to witness a bunch of children, who were initially quite shy and reserved, grow with each lesson. They started to experiment, engage more with others in and outside of the workshop and build confidence & self esteem. They took pride in their work and in their abilities!
The Project‘Cameras for Kids’ in Oaxaca
We have sponsored 2 kids
Our secondary goal, though as important, was to provide direct social & financial support to the kids and their families.
The sponsorship program, facilitated by Oaxaca Street Children Grassroots, is a long-term program which enables a child’s schooling from pre-school to the end of high school. The program helps poor families by paying for school fees, including uniforms, books, stationery and the like, a place for study, rest, activities, meals and receive medical checks. It has a small number of staff, a social worker, library, kitchen, canteen, playing courtyard, chapel, even a kindergarten!
As a result of your donations two children are now able to attend school, alleviating their families of this financial pressure.
Silvia Martinez Ramirez, 3yoSponsorship: US$150 per year.
When I first met Silvia, she was selling beaded bracelets and sweets on the streets, along with her Mom and siblings. She came running up to me (her sister, Elizabeth, attended the 'Cameras for Kids' project) screaming in Spanish, "I know you! You're my sister's teacher!” Silvia will be starting kindergarten very soon!
Her family rents the house they live in. 7 people occupy this 2-room aluminium house. There are 3 wooden beds in the house, with no mattresses. Drinking water is purchased in large jugs as water in Oaxaca is not safe for consumption. Outside latrine is shared with 12 others. Silvia's Mom, sisters Dulce and Elizabeth sells bracelets at Santo Domingo (local church), earning approximately $200 pesos per week (this is equivalent to $20). Her father works as a carpenter earning $480 pesos a week ($40).
Luis Eduardo Ramirez Garcia, 12yoSponsorship: US$225 per year covering school fees, uniform, shoes and books.
When Luis first joined our 'Cameras for Kids' workshop, he stood out as being very focused, switched on and has absolutely no inhibitions. In his first lesson, he went straight up to a couple of policemen and without asking, took a few pictures of them! Oaxacaña policemen aren't exactly the friendliest of sorts!
Luis' former sponsor is not able to continue with the sponsorship of his education. With your generous donation, we have decided to take on this responsibility and give Luis the chance that he deserves! Luis and his family lives in a small, single-room, aluminium house on the outskirts of Oaxaca. His sister, Salma, was also part of the project.
The Kids
Alma, 11yo
Alma chirps away in Spanish, expecting me to understand every
single word. The look on her face is just
priceless when I shrug in confusion…which is quite often! Alma has taken a great variety
of photos. Some fabulous ones of her
little cousin!
Adrian, 10yo
Adrian is bright and has a wild streak
about him...he loves taking photos of
graffiti and
skateboarding!
Brian, 11yo
Brian is always pleading to get the camera first, “me me
por favor!” Here, Brian created a
circular frame using the wrought iron balcony on the
rooftop.
Carlos, 10yo
Carlos always has a smile on his face after a shot!
He was particularly happy with this shot that he took in our
‘Reflections’ workshop and repeated all
afternoon that it’s “profesional!”
The Kids
Coral, 13yo
Coral is the ‘Queen of Capturing the Moment’!
She has mastered stealth photography in
our short 4-week project to perfection!
An amazing take and angle on Oaxaca Centro!
Crisanto, 14yo
Crisanto loves playing ‘devil’s advocate’!…well a bit of a class
clown too! He loves participating in class discussions!
A beautiful shot of Santo Domingo Church
Diego, 11yo
Diego loves playing with his spin top and
football. He loves big hugs and lots of
attention! Never seen without Brian by his
side either!This surreal image was taken on an excursion.
Eliazib, 12yo
Hailed the ‘King of Macro (closeup) photography’, Eliazib joined us in the 2nd week of our 4-week
workshop and continued to astound us till the very
end!This is one of his many
amazing shots!
The Kids
Elizabeth, 14yo
Elizabeth has captured some very creative and
beautiful shots. You will see her famous
‘la mariposa’ (butterfly) as part of her portfolio.
Esmeralda, 10yo
Esmeralda loves taking photos and playing ball. She has taken some seriously amazing photos! Great eye, great perspectives, utmost creativity! Absolutely had us
dumbfounded!
Fredi, 10yo
Everytime we turned around to look at where Fredi was, he always had his camera pointed to the sky! He has the most serious concentration
on his face when composing and would always break out into a
beautiful smile straight after. Priceless.
This portrait of a Oxacaña gentlemen comprises one of the
many amazing shots in his folio.
Isai, 6yo
Untrained yet impressive. Isai has an amazingly creative eye. Known to everyone as ‘chikito’
(little boy), he was the youngest of the group.
Great perspectives within Santo Domingo church.
The Kids
Jose, 18yo
Jose is one of our resident salsa king. He
is one of the most creative in the group.
Great perspectives, great compositions, great self
shots!Shot of Camino Real Hotel
on Calle 5 de Mayo.
Luis Angel, 13yo
Luis, a quiet-spoken boy until you get him started…then you struggle to shut him up! He has taken some
fantastic photos.This is a fantastic photo of his
cousin.
Luis Eduardo, 12yo
There is always a “zing” in his eyes! He speaks with intelligence and composure. Luis is a part of
our sponsorship program.Shot of a typical colonial architecture in Oaxaca.
Paola, 15yo
Paola (on the left) can sing from day to night. She could sing through every class if we let her! I still recall the day
when she strutted up in frustration when her memory card of 1GB filled up within
1/2hour of being on our excursion!
Shot of street vendor in the Calle Alcala, one of the busiest streets in Oaxaca
Centro.
The Kids
Ricardo, 13yo
Benjy loves taking photographs of reflections in water, great at making the walls of Monte Alban
(ruins) “fall over” in his pictures. Constantly
talking in class, first to participate… first to
talk!
Salma, 9yo
Bright, uninhibited, and fearless! I still remembered her walking up to some policemen, took a shot, smiled then thanked them like a lady would!
This shot was taken at the local gardens where the indigenous people
sell their wares.
Savina, 10yo
Being ‘Miss Popular’, Savina is in everyone
else’s photos! Bright & loud, she is a character
and a half! This was a shot taken in
our macro workshop! I think she could rival the
pro’s!
Chino & Jesus Chino (top) & Jesus
(bottom) joined our workshops on an irregular basis as they often had to help their parents in the stalls during the day.
We bumped into Jesus selling beaded necklaces
on the streets. He’s barely 10yo.
The smile on Chino’s face is priceless when we have
a spare camera and he could join us for the day!
Financials
To 28 June 2008 DR CR
Donations 3,057.10
Oaxaca Exhibition & AlbumsMaterial for Exhibition 200.00Material for Albums 56.70Photo Development Costs 381.00Postage of Exhibition material to Oaxaca 122.45Total Exhibition & Albums Costs 760.15
Excursion Food & Drinks 69.58Transport Costs 306.84Entry Fees 58.70Additional Batteries 16.20Total Excursion Costs 451.32
Sponsorship ProgramSponsorship of Silvia Martinez Ramirez (2008/09) 156.25Sponsorship of Silvia Martinez Ramirez (2009-2011) 461.54Sponsorship of Luis Eduardo Ramirez Garcia (2008/09) 234.38Sponsorship of Luis Eduardo Ramirez Garcia (2009-2011) 692.31Total Sponsorship Fees 1,544.47
OtherCustoms Tax on Cameras 220.00Custom Tax Absorbed by Founders (220.00)Total Other 0.00
Interest Paid to Account 19.99
TOTAL 2,755.94 3,077.09Surplus Funds 321.15
