Kids with Cameras/Born into Brothels

has anyone ever heard about a project called:"kids with cameras"?

www.kids-with-cameras.org/home

it was founded by zana briski, a wonderful person AND photographer who lived in the brothels of calcutta for several years to teach photography to kids with no lobby, no future, no nothing.

www.zanabriski.com

so, and last, but not least i will recomment the movie: "born into brothels"

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4e7yuSR89QA

NOVEMBER 2007 – ZANA BRISKI

When I first went to the brothels of Calcutta I had no idea what I was doing. Circumstances had led me there and I had a deep visceral reaction to the place. It was as if I recognized it on a very personal level.

It took me two years to get inside, to be able to live in a brothel. I knew this was the only way I would move from visitor to resident, to fully experience, as much as possible, what it was like for the women and children living there. It was a difficult but precious experience and one for which I will always be grateful. I had the opportunity to understand lives lived behind closed doors, to help — when it was asked of me — in any way I could, and to communicate powerful stories with the outside world.

It has been my dream, since the beginning of the project, to inspire others to feel, to notice, to challenge, to take action. Some of the most inspiring moments I have had are at screenings of Born into Brothels at schools across the country. American children are riveted by the kids from Calcutta. They connect with them through the film in a way only kids can. Kids want to share, to know more, to get involved. This is why I wanted to build a curriculum around the film, so that it can be a catalyst for awareness and change. Amnesty International, in partnership with Kids with Cameras, has made this happen. I am deeply grateful to them for this.

In the film I say that I am not a social worker, or even a teacher. I am someone who follows my heart and puts myself in the 'shoes' of others. This is something we all can do. You don't need to go to Calcutta to notice what is happening around you, who needs your compassion, be it an animal, a friend, a stranger.

After all, it is up to us to make the world a better place.

<img src=http://www.kids-with-cameras.org/bornintobrothels/film.php></img>