Sudan, Africa

photo credit...susanna kohly click to purchaseIn October 2008, 100cameras went to Africa and back. We joined efforts with IWASSRU (International Widows Association for Southern Sudanese Refugees in Uganda) to benefit the orphans of Sudan who have fallen victim to the 21-year civil war that has ravaged their country. IWASSRU is an association founded in 1994 by Sudanese widows, primarily focusing on caring for orphans and the disabled within the growing refugee population. IWASSRU has founded three orphanages in the region that are home to over 200 orphans today.

Specifically, the 100cameras project was taken to their St. Bartholomew’s orphanage in Kajo Keji, Sudan that is home to 80 children. Children were given cameras and asked to document their everyday. They did. For two weeks, the camera was theirs. They used pictures to tell the details of their story – their perspective of work, school, and play. At the end of the week, cameras were collected and images were saved.

In Spring of 2009, the exhibition was officially launched at The Samsung Experience located in the Time Warner Center in Manhattan. Shortly after, the exhibition traveled around the country and continues to be showcased throughout various venues. 100percent of the funds raised from the children's photographs are given back to IWASSRU to better their everyday environment.

The sale of the children’s photos has enabled IWASSRU to both improve the conditions of their current orphanages and begin plans for expansion. IWASSRU was able to construct a protective fence around the entire campus of St. Bartholomew’s orphanage, necessitated by the increased rebel activity in south Sudan in response to the 2010 North & South referendum voting. In addition, IWASSRU is currently planning to build their fourth orphanage for the Sudanese Refugee community in Kampala, Uganda.

You can purchase one of the children's photos in the gallery below, and 100percent of your purchase will go directly to IWASSRU. Or you can make a donation thru Paypal by clicking on the button below. Thank you.

purchase buba's prints. (23)

Buba, 14 years old.
Buba came to St. Bartholomew’s Orphanage with her brother and sister. Her father died during the civil war in Sudan, and her mother abandoned them so that she could remarry another man. Buba and her siblings lived with their grandmother until she admitted them to the orphanage because she was no longer able to provide for them. Buba loves to sing and play games. She also loves to help cook and clean.
Buba dreams of being a teacher one day. This is what she sees.
purchase Jackson's prints. (41)

Jackson, 15 years old.
Jackson lives at St. Bartholomew’s orphanage. His parents died when he was young, and he lived with his grandmother until her death in 2007. Jackson suffers from a curvature in his spine, which forces him to walk using both his hands and feet. His condition is most likely caused by polio, although he has never been diagnosed. Jackson enjoys cutting grass around the compound, and his favorite hobby is praying.
Jackson wants to be a pilot when he grows up. This is what he sees.
purchase Josephine's prints. (33)

Josephine, 14 years old.
Josephine lives at St. Bartholomew's Orphanage. Her parents were HIV positive and died when she was young. When she was a child, she fell ill to polio. Josephine is a joy to the children and the women who work at the orphanage. She enjoys cooking and helping with the chores.

Josephine loved taking pictures with her camera. This is what she sees.
purchase juan's prints (7)

Juan, 13 years old.
Juan lives as St. Bartholomew’s with her two brothers and three sisters. Juan’s parents died during the civil war, leaving the children under the care of their older sister. After her older sister got married, she left the children with out any guidance. They were some of the first children admitted to the orphanage. Juan’s favorite subjects are English and Math.

Juan likes both cooking and gardening, but her favorite thing to do is sing.
purchase Kabang's prints. (28)

Kabang, 14 years old.
Kabang lives at St. Bartholomew’s with her two older brothers and two sisters. Her father died after a long illness in Uganda. Initially, her mother worked hard to provide for them, but became very weak and had no choice but to leave them at the orphanage. Kabang's favorite hobby is netball, and her favorite chores are harvesting the crops in the orphanage and hand washing the clothes. She laughs often and usually has a smile on her face.
Kabang wants to be a doctor when she grows up. This is what she sees.
purchase Kiden's prints. (60)

Kiden, 16 years old.
When Kiden was fourteen, her father threw her out of his house because she was pregnant. She came to St. Bartholomew’s orphanage where she gave birth to her baby girl, Viola. At just two years old, Viola died due to hydrocephalus. Kiden is remarkably resilient and more mature than most of her peers. She takes care of the younger children in the orphanage as if they are her own. Kiden is a hard worker and helps serve in the kitchen.

Kiden's favorite activity is singing. This is what she sees.
purchase 100cameras Staff prints. (64)

Susanna Kohly, 100cameras co-founder.
Susanna traveled to Africa and spent three weeks between Uganda and Sudan teaching camera classes and documenting the southern Sudanese resilience. This is a collection of what she saw.

All money from the sale of these photos will serve to support the projects and operations of 100cameras, Inc.

Meet our 100cameras.Sudan photographers.

Left: Jackson, Kiden, Juan, Kabang, Buba, Josephine

100c.sudan. happy mistakes. the movie from 100cameras. on Vimeo.

In addition to photography, the African children we worked with had (unknowingly) captured a collection of short videos with the cameras they had. Since most of the videos are in conjunction with the photos they took, their videos literally help bring their photo-narratives to life. It was a happy mistake. The collection of video clips within this video offer a way to tell their stories more powerfully to include thier videos and still photography.

The video incorporates a segment for each of the 5 children that were given cameras beginning with a biography, followed by a combination of videos and photos that belonged to the child during his/her time with the camera.

This short film was made for 100cameras’ first large exhibition of the children’s photos held at the Samsung Experience Showroom in the Time Warner Center in 2009. This video was looped throughout monitors during the event and several 100cameras. africa exhibitions to follow and viewed by all attendees.

Sudan, Africa

purchase buba's prints. (23)

purchase Jackson's prints. (41)

purchase Josephine's prints. (33)

purchase juan's prints (7)

purchase Kabang's prints. (28)

purchase Kiden's prints. (60)

purchase 100cameras Staff prints. (64)