The idea for The Children of Botswana was created in mid 2006, born in the minds of Michel Karman (BW Master Printer in Los Angeles) and Annelize Bester (FOUNDER & CEO of THUTO). It was to be a Humanitarian Photography Archive to help create awareness and a scholarship fund for Botswana’s HIV/AIDS and Disadvantage Children.
Botswana is Africa’s success story: economically strong, politically stable, immense nature wonderland, peaceful, with vast natural resources, strong credit ratings, and low crime. In spite of all this progress and achievements, the country is plagued by one of the highest HIV/AIDS infection rates in the world, action has been taken and goals are being met to combat the situation but for some damage has already been done and on the children it has been particularly harsh.
From June 2007 till November 2009 the project of The Children of Botswana was in full motion. In the end, 40 children (ages 8-17), social workers from SOS, Volunteers from the Anglican Diocese of Botswana (mostly mothers) and Annelize Bester photographed Botswana. They used the plastic Holga Camera which is relatively easy to use and shot with Kodak Tri-X medium format film.
For most of the volunteers, this was an introduction to photography and it gave them a new perspective of how to view the world. Additionally, it was about teaching the children their rights but also their responsibilities towards their own communities.
Goals of the Photography Archive are to grow THUTO’s Education fund for the HIV/AIDS and disadvantage children of Botswana and to continue development of the foundation’s Pictures by Kids Production Program.
As one of the children who participated in 2007, it is very exciting to watch the project continue to grow as it is to help get the word out. Now that I fully understand what the project is all about, it means a lot more to me as it is about the growth of my country and our youth. I hope to continue seeing this project flourish.
To know more about the project visit
http://www.thechildrenofbotswana.org
https://www.facebook.com/tcobw
By;
Louisa Irojiogu
