Cameras For Kids: Through The Eyes of Bosnian Children

We believe every child has a story. The stories of this generation hold the key to the promise of a better country, filled with new hope and energy. The project empowers children by embracing their perspective on life and throwing open the doors of the historic city of Sarajevo to a child’s eye view.

Bosnia Herzegovina has entered into a new educational stage of development. This Project seeks to contribute to the advancement of education through art.

Cameras for Kids selects 26 Bosnian children ages 10 to 17 as participants in a one-week workshop that teaches the basics of photography operations (camera techniques, form, style, and storytelling through the camera). The children are then provided with cameras and film and are instructed to accumulate photos (footage) of their daily routine and surroundings (family, sport activities, social gatherings, and city) for a one-week period.

Cameras for Kids is a project supported by the Canadian International Development Agency’s Partnership for Tomorrow Program (PTP) II and implemented by the Associations of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC).

* Empower the youth through education and art.

* Work collaboratively in coordinating partnerships within the schools and community.

* Provide information relating to the various educational systems for Canadian youth, such as art counseling, anti-discriminatory programs, after school programs, and the integration of art space administered by the school.

* Emulate Canadian youth self-employment initiatives and training programs with an emphasis on youth entrepreneurship.

* Provide youth role models as a source of inspiration and information.

Through their own eyes, the children will document their home life, class standing, human needs, education system, and the basic civil fabric of the city of Sarajevo through 1,800 still pictures.

A number of the participants will travel to Canada during International Development Week to exhibit their work in Canadian schools, in collaboration with interested NGOs and photo galleries. This unique approach will support students in self exploration and in sharing their lives and community with their fellow citizens and with Canadians. Ultimately, the project seeks to build a partnership with Canadian youth through art and experience that will be both sustainable and mutually beneficial.

We are currently seeking contributions from business, NGOs, and individuals toward the cost of acquiring cameras and film. No donation is too small. Old, working cameras will also be graciously accepted.

To donate or obtain more information, contact:

Runaway Films, 34 Victor Street
London, Ont. N6C 1B7. Tel.: 519-434-7563
Email: tysonhaller@hotmail.com

Integrated Development Enterprise Associates (IDEA)
150 Breezehill Ave. N.
Ottawa, Ont. K1Y 2H8. Tel.: 613-290-6385
Email: camerasforkids@ideacanada.ca