Zanmi Lakay

We spent much of our time working in Jacmel with artists, with young adults in our programs, but mostly with the 60-80 children of Art Creation Foundation for Children (ACFFC). Because there was no school happening after the earthquake, we knew a top priority was to create activities for the kids, and we made a lot of plans. The children were all busy making art, mostly paper maché birds at that time. We got about half of them started on a serious digital Photography Workshop giving out eight assignments while sharing cameras, but each student was able to do some reshooting and work on their own. We also took a bunch of students on a field trip to the beach and the river past Marigot, passing yet another funeral procession, and our fete at the end included a slideshow and tent giveaway (see Blog Update #4 for more info).  The work of the students from ACFFC was published in the New York Times Lens Blog (see Feb. 18th post). We planned the Mural Project with the kids painting the walls of their Foundation building – each using a piece of the wall to create whatever they wanted, and they totally jammed and it now reflects the colorful and imaginative essence of ACFFC. As all of this was happening, we were trying to get supplies. The large NGO’s said our organizations were too small to help or supplies weren’t in yet or had some excuse for not providing tents and food, so we became resourceful, worked under the radar, and figured out things ourselves. Judy Hoffman, president of ACFFC, got a connection from Amerijet to G.O Ministries who were buying food and supplies in the Dominican Republic and volunteer pilots were flying it in to Haiti. We were the recipients of thousands of pounds of food that was distributed to children and families and staff of ACFFC, young adults we work with directly, and artisans and their families. It was amazing. This is also how our 60 tents arrived. We’d get a call from Judy with the first name of a pilot and the tail number of his plane, and then had about 40 minutes to find a truck and get to the small Jacmel airport. Some of the pilots asked us if we could take them on a tour so they could see the people and the city – we brought them to downtown Jacmel, Pinchinat, and to ACFFC, and it was a highlight of their work in Haiti to be able to meet the children they were helping.

The children sing a welcome song on our first day in Cite Soleil. Our classroom was also a Peristyle bordered by homes on each side.

Jean introduces Guy and Susan (and me) to the class.

DJimmy shows Nadege the proper handling technique of Susan’s digital camera.

Jean excites the students by explaining the power of the camera.

Students get into the Photo Class.

As students and neighbors look on, Guy shows Nadege camera details before we head out to take pictures.

The murals along a wall in Cite Soleil are a source of pride, and Nadege shoots a portrait to incorporate them in her work.

The 2009 Zanmi Lakay Cite Soleil Photography Workshop class!

The 2009 Zanmi Lakay Cite Soleil Photography Workshop class along with Fondasyon Kolezepol Pou Sove Ti Moun leaders.

Zanmi Lakay collaborated with Jean Ristil and his organization Fondasyon Kolezepol in Cite Soleil with a Photography Workshop for 25 children in May and June 2009. Students were taught the basics of photography including composition, light, how to approach people, and obtaining access. We shared many examples of photography, and Jean inspired the kids with a serious dose of spirited challenge…and they were up to the task. Zanmi Lakay brought donations for the group and provided treats for the last day fete, and were also generously entertained with beautiful songs and dance by many new friends.

In May and June 2009 Zanmi Lakay had our third Photography Workshop with 30 talented children at ACFFC, and Zanmi Lakay’s very first digital photography workshop in Haiti! It was exciting and crazy and chaotic and inspiring and totally worth every second! It was also a community effort from the camera collecting, computer guruing, editing, and translating, to the popcorn making and organizing of the final slideshow and family party and the end of the week. The children’s work will be on the website soon.