Cúcuta, COLOMBIA
100CAMERAS X SIMN
100cameras X SIMN is a part of a 8 class course that is custom designed by 100cameras to equip passionate creatives with the tools to empower youth in a community they care about with the opportunity to learn how to process their stories and create change. Pictured here are 100cameras students during the course.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
During the Spring of 2020, 10 students learned to tell their stories through 100cameras X SIMN in Colombia. Taking place along the country's border, Snapshot Cúcuta includes student participants from both Colombia and Venezuela.
In partnership with Scalabrini International Migration Network (SIMN), a global organization whose mission is to safeguard and promote the dignity and rights of migrants, refugees, internally displaced people, and seafarers worldwide. One of its missions is Misioneros de San Carlos Scalabrinianos, located in Cúcuta Colombia. This area is a vulnerable suburb with settlements and neighborhoods in transit of regulation. For years, these areas have been recipients of internally displaced people, victims of the violence of the armed conflict and in the past few years, have become a refuge for Venezuelan migrants and Colombians returning from Venezuela.
“For these children, photography came as a beam of light in the midst of the penumbra of migration and poverty. They learned to photograph their own lives to transform it and show it to the world. This experience reflects the power of art to save us from despair, the cruel threat of migration.”
"Individually they have to overcome their economic circumstances as they live in a neighborhood that doesn't provide as much opportunity as others,” shares Program Leader, Romina Hendlin. "Most of them have to walk to school sometimes 30 minutes or more, and some have the chance to take a bus. As the neighborhood is also dangerous they have to deal with delinquency so they are always on the lookout for any situation that they would want to get away from. The students that come from Venezuela have to deal as well with the adjustments as migrants.”
This condition affects the socio-economic development of the region. Alongside these conditions are the schools which have been struggling to safeguard the right to a proper education and in good material conditions as well as of content and pedagogical.
Through this program, students were guided through curriculum activities and tools to utilize photography to process and tell the stories in a way that impacts how they view themselves and their roles in their community.
“This is an incredible opportunity for these kids because it is a window into a new world that is filled with innovation, creativity, ways to see the world differently, and therefore to experience life in a new way.
In communities like this one, where the priority is always food security, shelter and education, bringing a cultural activity has immense power and effect in those who take part in it and those around, too. ”
MEET THE STUDENTS
ABOUT THE PROGRAM LEADER
Romina Hendlin, the leader for 100cameras X SIMN, is a Venezuelan documentary photographer who has been living in NY since 2010. Romina grew up in Caracas, a city where you can see and feel the disparities of social inequality in your everyday life. From an early age, she knew this disparity was wrong. Later, when studying at University Romina realized she could do something about it through education. Romina says becoming a Program Leader has allowed her to bring the tool belt of photography to 10 students who live in a remote area of Cúcuta where programs like this don’t happen often. The opportunity was immense for her; while being there she saw how many students were passionate about learning and eager to have this chance in their own lives. Romina learned that photography can improve, impact and transform students' lives, moreover, the program itself, is already an opportunity to experience and to grow.
“Learning photography has not only changed my life but has given me the possibility to teach this wonderful craft to others.”
“These kids live in a very remote place from which they don’t go out often or even at all. This is the neighborhood called Camilo Daza within the city of Cúcuta in Colombia. The fact that they are chosen as the first 10 students to learn photography is an incredible opportunity.
The local community supports the growth of these students and has been a great ally in making this program happen, helping with logistics and making sure the students had everything they needed during the program. The fact that the organization worked hard to make this program happen for them is a demonstration of love and support.”
STUDENT IMAGE GALLERY
Follow us on social media to see images from the field as captured by the 100cameras X SIMN team and the student photographers.