Eswatini Documentary and Community Workshops

Overview

This project centres on an intimate photo documentary and arts workshops with children who are victims of sexual violence and child-mothers in Eswatini. A country with 1 in 3 children affected by violence. Through photography and creative expression, it will provide a platform for them to explore how to tell their stories authentically. These children live in a care facility having been removed by social work due to safety concerns. The project starts in January 2024.

Breakdown

The project has two components

1 | Workshops and Portraits: A series of creative workshops where project participants can explore self-expression through photography, art, and storytelling to generate pieces showcasing their unique narratives.

2 | Photo Documentary: An intimate photo story capturing life inside the mother’s home, part of the care facility, the only place in the country where you can keep your baby should you wish to. This photojournalistic piece will shed light on their lives and the factors influencing their circumstances.

More info

By supporting this initiative, you will play an important role in amplifying these children's and young mothers’ voices, raising awareness, and demonstrating the resilience of children impacted by adversity in Eswatini. With 1 in 3 children affected by violence, this project aims to steer clear of predefined narratives and allow the participants to communicate their stories authentically.

Currently, the project is self-funded. Having met these girls briefly and was struck by them and their stories and wanted to make an active effort to create some work with them. The final pieces, which may include photographic portraits (hidden identities), will serve as powerful testaments to the profound impact of these experiences on their young lives. Your support will be crucial in providing them with a platform to express themselves creatively. Additionally, the skills gained in the workshops will provide a foundation for the participants to continue using arts as an ongoing outlet for expression.

Budget Breakdown for 8 Week Project

Very happy to supply a more in-depth financial breakdown can be provided upon request.

If you've read this far - Thank you! Any support, albeit financial or moral goes a long way. I am to keep some updates on there and my social media which can be accessed here.

Ciara

Photographer

See my work and connect with me here:

Website: www.ciaramenzies.com

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