PERU - SKIP (Newsletter May 2010)

A new photography workshop began in April that gives 12 secondary students an opportunity to express themselves through photography and make a statement about the world they live in. Each Saturday morning in the SKIP school for 12 weeks, the students receive photography classes from a qualified and experienced instructor. They learn about different methodologies of picture taking, perspective, lighting, etc.

The theme of the project is to explore dreams and reality so the young people can express their hopes for the future and think about the reality of their situation at the moment. There will be an exhibition of their work in Trujillo and a competition to select the most artistic photograph. We are also going to make SKIP calendars this year using the images.

The SKIP photograph workshop supports our development model that empowers individuals to take control of their own circumstances and our commitment to providing educational opportunities for the children of El Porvenir. It is an opportunity for young people to learn about photography, learn how to take pictures, feel pride in their achievements, and develop self-confidence. Learning about photography will help the students to think critically about the world around them and open their eyes to possible employment opportunities, which may previously have seemed unrealistic.

Program Objectives:
1. Offer training to the young people in photography.
2. Hold an exhibition in Trujillo where the public will be able to view the young people's work.
3. Foster group cohesion between the young people so they are able to work together.
4. Produce merchandise for the charity that can be sold and used as publicity.
5. Improve confidence, self-esteem and educational opportunities for those involved in the project.

This workshop has been funded by a grant from the EVS programme, Youth In Action, through our partnership with Everything Is Possible, an organisation in the UK who also sends and receives SKIP volunteers. We are also hoping to be able to participate in the second part of the project where the young person who wins the competition will gain a place to attend a conference in Uruguay involving the NGOs from Latin America and Europe who are also partaking in the project.

At the moment, we have been unable to confirm that the young person will be able to attend as SKIP needs to fund 25% of their flight costs and someone to accompany them (the Secondary Education Coordinator). If anyone would be able to help us with these costs, please get in touch, we anticipate that they would be in the region of $300. All other costs of accommodation, food and travel in Uruguay will be covered by the EVS grant.

After the conclusion of the photography workshop, we will continue to encourage photography as a creative medium through various SKIP projects. The photography students can continue to participate through an existing newspaper workshop and take photos for the paper. For the 2011 edition of the SKIP calendar, we will display a selection of the high quality photographs from the workshop. This calendar will go on sale in July to generate income for SKIP.