What Do You Get When You Mix Photographers And Non-Profits Together? – PhotoPhilanthropy
Posted by Michelle Moquin on 29th May 2010
The other day I was reading Ode Magazine and while flipping through the pages I discovered some beautiful photography that was shot in Uganda. The article titled ‘The Net Effect’, talked about how mosquito nets are vital in countries like Uganda where Malaria kills one person every 30 seconds(!)
At a displaced persons camp near Gulu in northern Uganda, a woman and child shelter under a mosquito net.
Malaria is one of the biggest killers in the developing world. Nine out of 10 times a young African Child is the victim of Malaria. In Nigeria alone, a population of roughly 150 million, each year half of all Nigerians come down at least once with Malaria; 300,000 children die from the disease. The Malaria transmitting mosquito, the Anopheles mosquito, comes out and feeds at night, so if a family doesn’t have a net to hang over their beds, the chance of getting infection is high. Unfortunately many families can not afford these nets.
Thankfully the Malaria Consortium, the world’s largest organization dedicated to fighting Malaria, operates in more than 20 countries distributing free mosquito nets to those in need. They not only provide these nets but they teach prevention and provide medical treatment as well.
What was different about this very brief article was that it was not only informative of the need for mosquito nets in places such as Uganda and Nigeria, but I got the opportunity to also discover and read about a non profit, called “PhotoPhilanthropy” (Don’t you just love the name?).
So you may ask, ‘What does one have to do with the other?’
Well….let me tell you. The founder photographer Nancy Farese, a local girl, provides photographic support to non-profit organizations to help document and promote causes. Farese pioneered the concept of Photophilanthropy: Promoting Social Activism Through Photography, to encourage and reward people who use photography for social purpose. Isn’t that cool?
Farese, a veteran social documentary photographer, believes that through the camera lens you can, witness both the desperate need for action as well as the heroic efforts of the non-profit organizations who are striving to meet these challenges. And when people, like myself, are moved by the powerful photos that they see, it can inspire people to take action.
The photograph above was taken by William Daniels. Daniels was awarded the PhotoPhilanthropy Activist Award 2009, which acknowledges excellence in social photography, for the photos essay, which includes the one I posted above, that was featured in Ode magazine for the said article.
I like the whole concept that Faresh has created with her business. People around the world are photographed so that we can be witness to their lives. The photo essays are designed to educate and engage people in a wide variety of social campaigns, and at the same time, the photographers are recognized for their amazing work. But most importantly, the concept comes around full circle as the non-profits get exposure for what they are trying to do for their cause: The people…the animals…the environment, etc.
I love when people take their creativity and meld it with something that really matters. I am all about being creative in as many areas in my life as I can. And if I can help others and incorporate my creative talent at the same time, well then…I am just as happy as I could be.
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Hey ZL: How wonderful that Lily actually picked out that book for you – what inspired that? She’s such a cool girl. :) Anyway it does sound very interesting – maybe I can borrow when you are through? Enjoy your weekend eh? With all of those studs out there after you, I can imagine that you will. :)
Hannah: I am a bit confused about your comment: ‘If this message gets through, would you consider sending back to Iran?’ Is the ‘you’ missing in this sentence? Blog me to clarify please.
Dolores: That is not an easy question to answer in one simple sentence. I did not read that post in the Huff, but perhaps I can still give a simple answer, although easier said than done. The first thing that comes to mind is transparency and regulations, and that is done by voting people into office that are working for the people and not the banks and big corporations.
Perhaps this comment from Anonz will help: ‘Sure I have more money that I will every be able to spend, but if you are too stupid to regulate me, and too stupid to make me pay my fair share of taxes, and if you continue to allow me to set up corporations with all the rights of a living person, I WILL CONTINUE TO GET RICHER AT YOUR EXPENSE.’
Hi Josh: Thanks for taking the time to write your letters. And yes, everyone should do the same. These big corps need to be held accountable for their ‘accidents’. As we’ve said here so often, people don’t police themselves – regulations need to be in place. And Liability limits need to be removed – 75 million obviously doesn’t even scratch the surface when it comes to the damage done – pennies for BP. And if there is no detrimental consequences (hit ‘em where it hurts – their wallets), why bother taking the precautions?
Ken: You were used. Simple as that. Those ‘drill baby drill’ republicans were only on your side when they needed you. Once they no longer needed you, you were dropped like a hot potato. That is their MO. Learn from it. It is the time – Obama is your saving grace.
Hi Shri Khan: Believe me, I am very aware of the risk that you and others take by reading my blog. And I assure you, all precautions are done on my end to protect everyone’s identity. You are in my thoughts – The plight of women is something I never stop thinking about. Hope is there for all of us.
My pleasure Mollie. :)
Suzy: Loved the video – thanks for sharing.
Hey Evelyn: How are you? Great article – so informative and important. Thanks too for sharing.
Doug: Thanks for posting. I usually like the movies that Zeitgeist puts out, and I like this video clip too. As Robert said, it is a feel good video, but what is the Solution? And racism and sexism are huge issues in this world, that prevent a sense of ‘one’ community – ‘world citizens’ is still a concept that hasn’t arrived yet. I, like Robert, am a little skeptical too when people promote a better way but don’t give us ideas. But hey, the inspiration is there. Now we just have to ‘do something’.
I can tell you what does not sit well with me though is the fact that they are putting Obama side by side with Hitler and Stalin. He doesn’t belong in that picture…any picture with those two. I understand their gripe about the system – it’s mine too, but Obama is creating change. I know you know this. We’re pretty messed up. Change takes time. As Obama has said, “Hey, I’m just the president. I’m not a miracle worker.”
Hi Ruth: I hope you and the girls are well. I hope Anonz gets better soon.
Helen: Me too.
Peace out everyone….
Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my ‘loyal’(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)
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