Guest Post
In search of volunteer opportunities in the colorful and bustling city of Granada, I came across an organization combining many of my favorite things. It is hard to describe the delight I feel when capturing a moment or a scene or a certain quality of light, perhaps only a photographer knows? I am grateful for the convergence of occurrences that made this delight a daily practice for me. Sharing the experience with children who have not had access to technology, instruction, and schooling is the best method I know to show my appreciation for this gift of creative discovery.
I found Empowerment International on the World Wide Web and immediately gravitated to the Photography Club section on their home page. I use Smugmug for online sales and it was cool to see a business that supports me (If you haven’t used Smugmug before, they have Super powered customer support) supporting the global community. The Photography Club has a new gallery and serendipitously it is located a short walk up the road from where I am staying. I took a walk to meet some fellow photographers.
Inside the bright blue painted interior with gorgeous patterned tile floor, I met two photographers, a friendly volunteer, Anielka Gutierrez, Program Director and Kathy Adams, Executive Director and Founder. I talked with Kathy about her programs and the impact Empowerment International has on the children in the community. I was interested to hear if the students had the ability to continue with photography as a career. Teaching photography is first and foremost an opportunity for creative expression and a tool for nurturing and developing confidence, expression, creativity, inspiration, and gratification. Intertwined with image composition, color, and lighting are computer, business, organizational and presentation skills. Trust and responsibility are inherent lessons as well. The children check out cameras to take home and create their projects. Smugmug has donated printed costs and the frames, made locally, are paid for from funding/sales from the program.
Rafael holds up one of his prints for sale in the gallery. Rafael has expressed an interest in studying graphic design when he goes to University. The children in the program come from poor communities where daily survival takes precedence over school. EI provides financial and emotional support. Read more about their mission, approach, history and success rate here.
Empowerment International is accepting functioning SLR cameras, memory cards greater than 1GB, both SD and CF, lenses for Canon and Nikons. E-mail Kathy at empowermentinternational (at) gmail.com if you would like to make a donation OR if the camera meets the above requirements, send to PO Box 1215 Lyons CO 80540 OR bring to Nicaragua and call 2552-1653.