Friday, October 5 was the culmination of my work with the children of Newells Academy and Link Social Youth Club. The 21 children I worked with created - through the Photovoice (www.photovoice.com) Methodology - a vivid and significant photo exhibit on health and safety issues in their community. This exhibit was, and will be used, as an advocacy tool to educate adults and all community members about issues pertinent to these young leaders.
The photos, and accompanying captions, told the childrens' stories - their voices, their perspectives, their ideas as to what needs to change in their community in order to create a world fit for all its citizens. Several months of preparation went into this day: weekly meetings where the children participated in various critical thinking and learning activities, picture taking, journal writing, and not to mention endless hours of "pounding the pavement" in Accra in order to invite government ministries, and child friendly and rights based NGOs.
In the end, attendance was small, yet the presence of those who were there was meaningful (it is time to stop judging the success of an event based on the number of bodies in a room). The Deputy Minister of Women and Children's Affairs, Hon. Minister Dugan, spent important moments with each "photographer", asking them about the inspiration and/or motivation for their pictures and also inquired about ways to more genuniely engage youth in active community building.
Mrs. Susan Sabaa, the founder of the NGO Coalition on the Rights of the Child in Ghana was an excellent chairperson - who along with Marilyn Amponsah Annan of the Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs - also spent a significant amoun t of time with the children in order to not only listen, but hear, their concerns and hopes.
In addition, several NGOs, a university professor, and an arts-based organizations attended the exhibit providing opportunities for networking and the exchange of information and ideas. Most importantly, people shared stories about their work and kept hope for change alive.
I am extremely proud of all the hard work and energy that each and everyone of the group members contributed in order to make this event a success. Afterwards, they told me that their favorite part of the day was having a moment where they were the center of attention, where adults asked them questions and then took the time to listen. They spoke with confidence and pride - and ware unquestionably young, strong, and talented leaders for today and tomorrow.
Some journalists were also in attendance. Check out this article from the Ghana News Agency:
http://www.ghana.gov.gh/ghana/photo_exhibition_youth_opens.jsp
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