Cameras For Girls Uganda 2021

Cameras For Girls Uganda 3 is a sole initiative started by me 2 years ago to train as many girls as possible in Uganda in the art of photography.  I teach girls and women, who are training to be journalists as they don’t have the tools of a camera or know how to use it – which are a deterrent to finding employment.  Without a camera, they may find employment but won’t get published or paid as they cannot take pictures to accompany their stories.

After my first training in August 2018, one of my students Joanita wrote to me two weeks after we finished saying that she had shown the camera to her editor and was hired on a full-time basis and was now able to get published with a byline and photo credit.  Up till then, she was not being paid for her work because she could not provide photos with her stories.  That was especially rewarding for me to see such concrete results come after just one short training.  A year later and she is not only getting paid to tell wonderful stories’ but she has improved her photography and with the monies she is earning through her job is supporting her family. 

The camera training is not just about the girls but it is about enriching their lives and that of their families and communities.

I have just completed my 2nd tour this past August and trained 18 young women – some who had a camera but did not know how to necessarily use it properly but most who had never had photography experience ever.  Over 3 days together they learn the basics and then I have help from in-country partners who further their education with in-class and online photo training as well as photography camps and excursions.  We then couple this with bi-weekly and monthly assignments, where they further their training.  I am so impressed with the results after only 3 days together and cannot wait to see their growth and confidence grow as we unfold the training.
 
The program is a year-long and as you can imagine, there are costs for such a huge endeavour. I am seeking sponsors and also working to get my charitable status but until that time I am putting everything I have out of pocket to support this initiative and thus your support means that much more to me.

The funds will be used to purchase used and/or new point & shoot cameras; a computer for the lab and funds for a permanent space we can rent for each training, equipped with proper internet access.

For this past training I was grateful to have 18 used cameras (we don’t have the funds to purchase new at this time) and a used laptop that was graciously donated by a friend. 

A bit of background: having a passion for all things photography, I wanted to give that gift to others.  I chose Uganda as that is where my family and I come from.

I was there in 2007 to do a documentary.  Seeing how much we have and how little they have, I knew that I had to do something to change the plight of girls because as in most parts of the world, they are not given the same opportunities to advance themselves.  At the time I just did not know what that would look like.

Fast forward to August 2017, when I started the plans to make something happen and a year later after much hard work, self-financing through savings and collecting used digital point & shoot cameras I was able to bring my vision to life.

Your donations of money or camera’s is very helpful as it allows me to keep this program going, train more girls and change more lives. 

Last year I raised $4,220 (my first Go Fund Me Campaign) and I hope to exceed that this year so that I can actually purchase better cameras and a new computer for the editing lab in Uganda. 

Every bit helps and on behalf of the girls I want to sincerely thank you for everything you can do to help!

To learn more please visit our website at:

Triple F Photo Tours

To donate your cameras please contact me through the website.

 
Thank you!
Amina Mohamed