tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82593047067391819722011-12-29T02:35:29.419-08:00michael blameynoreply@blogger.comBlogger11100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8259304706739181972.post-76272407842549592402008-02-21T20:27:00.001-08:002008-02-23T22:44:29.395-08:00Dear Friends & Family, <br /><br />As some of you may know, I am currently living in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanuatu"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Vanuatu</span> </a>(country in the South Pacific) where I am teaching photography to local youth. We've decided to call ourselves Youth Voices, which is the name of the organization I set up some years ago in the US to do the same thing.<br /><br />Port Vila, the capital city, is home to a vibrant community of young people whose voices<br />are struggling to be heard. Youth Voices attempts to give a voice to these youth by using photography as a means of creative expression. Because public schools are not free here in Port Vila, there is a large population of youth who cannot afford to attend school. These kids have little to do in a town that doesn't offer them many good job prospects either. Instead they have chosen to spend their time at a local youth centre, Wan Smolbag Yut Senta, a registered charitable organization. The youth pay 100 vatu ($1 US) for a year and are able to take as many classes as they want in things like cooking, painting, music, literacy, computer, life skills and photography. <br /><br />For the past year and a half I have been leading photography workshops with groups of these teens. The results have been amazing. See for yourself at <a href="http://www.flickr.com/wansmolbag "><span style="font-weight:bold;">www.flickr.com/wansmolbag</span></a>. Not only have the youth gained technical photography skills, but also a self-confidence often unknown to them before. And we've all had a great time in the process.<br /><br />Now to the reason for this email: we are desperate for some digital cameras so that these classes can continue this year. In the past we've used my own two cameras, which has been limiting with a class of 15 students. I'm hoping to collect about 20 cameras so that each student can have one to use for the duration of a course. I'd also like for this program to continue once I leave Vanuatu in September 2009. With a sufficient supply of resources and a history of successful workshops, this is far more likely to happen.<br /><br />So, I'm asking for donations of your old, functioning digital cameras - no matter the condition, as long as they still work. In return, I can offer you a 5 x 7 inch print of one of the youth photos taken during our workshops. You can either choose one for yourself at <a href="http://www.flickr.com/wansmolbag "><span style="font-weight:bold;">www.flickr.com/wansmolbag</span></a> or I will send you one that I've chosen.<br /><br />Please have a look at the work the youth have produced by clicking on the link above (I've also attached a few of their photos) and feel free to email me back with any questions or concerns. <br /><br />If you're keen to make a donation, they can be sent to:<br /><br />Caroline Mastreani<br />New Zealand High Commission, PORT VILA<br />c/o MFAT<br />PO Box 18901<br />Wellington<br />New Zealand<br /><br /><br />Thanks for considering helping us out.<br /><br />All the best, <br /><br />Caroline<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8259304706739181972-7627240784254959240?l=camerasforkids.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>michael blameynoreply@blogger.com4