Thank you

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Thank you About Dream Big The Project The
Kids Financials Contact
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Thank You To those who made this project
possible, Thank you for your special gift to
the kids of Oaxaca, Southern Mexico. Through your
support the Cameras for Kids project has
touched the lives of more than twenty amazing
kids and more than a dozen families. Most of
these kids had never used a camera before. They
come from poor families in poor neighbourhoods in
the poorest state in Mexico. They live in
makeshift aluminum sheet housing, with six to
eight to a bedroom, dirt floors and limited or no
mattresses. They go to school when they can, but
spend most of their time working the streets with
their parents selling trinkets or cigarettes or
anything else that makes ends meet. This was a
chance for them to momentarily step out of their
day-to-day lives, and through the lens of a
camera have a bit of fun. But it was also much
more than that it was a chance for them, for
maybe the first time in their lives, to really
explore their imagination, open their eyes to new
places, to new experiences . . . to
possibilities. Over four weeks, we came to know
dozens of amazing kids, their stories, their
troubles, their talents. Many are incredibly
smart and creative. With the right opportunity
they will have a bright future. You have given
them a chance to dream big, laugh loud and live
large and for that we sincerely thank
you! Special thanks to Lily and Alejandro
(Oaxaca Street Children Grassroots), who we
worked with over many months in planning the
project Leah Tricia, volunteers from the US
who were fantastic at translating for us and
helping out on excursions to ensure we returned
with the same number of kids as wed left with
Leica for donating the cameras and of course to
everyone who made a donation to make this project
possible.
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• About
• Dream Big is a not-for-profit organisation
  established in 2007. Our Goal is to give
  underprivileged children and their guardians in
  developing communities the chance to Dream Big,
  Live Large Laugh Loud just like the rest of us.
  
• We work closely with partner organisations and
  locals on activities that support the childrens
  education, healthcare and livelihood. What we
  are doing is simply another little step towards
  helping others circumvent the poverty trap.
• We achieve this through
• Projects
• Sponsorships
• Fundraising
• Projects
• We focus on sustainability with long-term
  benefits.
• Specific projects include Helping out at
  Orphanages, Education, Job-Skill Training, AIDS
  Awareness, Microfinance, Rehabilitation of Street
  Children and Cameras for Kids.
• Sponsorships
• Education and family support.

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The Project Cameras for Kids in Oaxaca An
Overview Cameras for Kids was a 4-week
photography project. This was more than just a
workshop teaching kids how to use cameras. Our
number one goal was to create a fun environment
for the kids to promote confidence and
self-esteem. We were hoping that giving these
kids a camera and allowing them to experiment and
see the images of their own creation would spark
creative juices that just might stay with them
forever. Our secondary goal was to provide direct
social financial support to the kids and their
families. Oaxaca City, in southern Mexico, is a
beautiful colonial city with a rich art and craft
culture stemming from its largely indigenous
population. It is the historic home of the
Zapotec and Mixtec people. Oaxaca is one of the
poorest regions in Mexico, depending largely on
tourism. All of the children in our project
are of indigenous heritage. They come from poor
families and often have to choose between
attending school or working on the streets to
make ends meet for their families. We worked
with an amazing bunch of twenty kids between 6
and 18 years of age. The workshops were held at
Oaxaca Street Children Grassroots (OSCG), our
local partner organisation.
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The Project Cameras for Kids in Oaxaca The
Workshops The first week was all about getting
to know the kids and introducing them to cameras.
Most had never used a camera before but were
eager to give it a go! A typical class would
begin with a talk and learn session, followed
by a walk and shoot session which inadvertently
became a run rampant and shoot session. If we
could fit it in, we might finish with a game of
Mexicano football! In the subsequent weeks, we
would teach them everything from basic
photography to colour, shape, composition,
contrast shadows, reflections, black white
and even macro (close up photography). To our
amazement the kids relished the learning
experience. They took on every new class with
gusto. We still remember the excitement on their
faces every time we arrived at the centre. We
also took the kids on several excursions outside
the city which they thoroughly enjoyed as most
would not get the opportunity to do so. The
photographs that were captured by the kids
through the workshop were simply extraordinary!
It is amazing to see the world from a kids eye
and even more amazing to see first hand, their
creative talents emerge. On the final Saturday
we held a photo exhibition at the centre, where
the childrens work was displayed. This was a
rewarding moment for the children and their
families. What was most amazing and rewarding
was being able to witness a bunch of children,
who were initially quite shy and reserved, grow
with each lesson. They started to experiment,
engage more with others in and outside of the
workshop and build confidence self esteem.
They took pride in their work and in their
abilities!
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The Project Cameras for Kids in Oaxaca We
have sponsored 2 kids Our secondary goal, though
as important, was to provide direct social
financial support to the kids and their families.
The sponsorship program, facilitated by Oaxaca
Street Children Grassroots, is a long-term
program which enables a childs schooling from
pre-school to the end of high school. The program
helps poor families by paying for school fees,
including uniforms, books, stationery and the
like, a place for study, rest, activities, meals
and receive medical checks. It has a small number
of staff, a social worker, library, kitchen,
canteen, playing courtyard, chapel, even a
kindergarten! As a result of your donations two
children are now able to attend school,
alleviating their families of this financial
pressure.
Luis Eduardo Ramirez Garcia, 12yo Sponsorship
US225 per year covering school fees, uniform,
shoes and books. When Luis first joined our
'Cameras for Kids' workshop, he stood out as
being very focused, switched on and has
absolutely no inhibitions. In his first lesson,
he went straight up to a couple of policemen and
without asking, took a few pictures of them!
Oaxacaña policemen aren't exactly the friendliest
of sorts! Luis' former sponsor is not able to
continue with the sponsorship of his education.
With your generous donation, we have decided to
take on this responsibility and give Luis the
chance that he deserves! Luis and his family
lives in a small, single-room, aluminium house on
the outskirts of Oaxaca. His sister, Salma, was
also part of the project.
Silvia Martinez Ramirez, 3yo Sponsorship US150
per year. When I first met Silvia, she was
selling beaded bracelets and sweets on the
streets, along with her Mom and siblings. She
came running up to me (her sister, Elizabeth,
attended the 'Cameras for Kids' project)
screaming in Spanish, "I know you! You're my
sister's teacher! Silvia will be starting
kindergarten very soon! Her family rents the
house they live in. 7 people occupy this 2-room
aluminium house. There are 3 wooden beds in the
house, with no mattresses. Drinking water is
purchased in large jugs as water in Oaxaca is not
safe for consumption. Outside latrine is shared
with 12 others. Silvia's Mom, sisters Dulce and
Elizabeth sells bracelets at Santo Domingo (local
church), earning approximately 200 pesos per
week (this is equivalent to 20). Her father
works as a carpenter earning 480 pesos a week
(40).
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The Kids
Alma chirps away in Spanish, expecting me to
understand every single word. The look on her
face is just priceless when I shrug in
confusionwhich is quite often! Alma has taken a
great variety of photos. Some fabulous ones of
her little cousin!
Alma, 11yo
Adrian is bright and has a wild streak about
him...he loves taking photos of graffiti and
skateboarding!
Adrian, 10yo
Brian is always pleading to get the camera first,
me me por favor! Here, Brian created a circular
frame using the wrought iron balcony on the
rooftop.
Brian, 11yo
Carlos always has a smile on his face after a
shot! He was particularly happy with this shot
that he took in our Reflections workshop and
repeated all afternoon that its profesional!
Carlos, 10yo
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The Kids
Coral is the Queen of Capturing the Moment!
She has mastered stealth photography in our short
4-week project to perfection! An amazing take and
angle on Oaxaca Centro!
Coral, 13yo
Crisanto loves playing devils advocate!well a
bit of a class clown too! He loves participating
in class discussions! A beautiful shot of Santo
Domingo Church
Crisanto, 14yo
Diego loves playing with his spin top and
football. He loves big hugs and lots of
attention! Never seen without Brian by his side
either! This surreal image was taken on an
excursion.
Diego, 11yo
Hailed the King of Macro (closeup) photography,
Eliazib joined us in the 2nd week of our 4-week
workshop and continued to astound us till the
very end! This is one of his many amazing shots!
Eliazib, 12yo
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The Kids
Elizabeth has captured some very creative and
beautiful shots. You will see her famous la
mariposa (butterfly) as part of her portfolio.
Elizabeth, 14yo
Esmeralda loves taking photos and playing ball.
She has taken some seriously amazing photos!
Great eye, great perspectives, utmost creativity!
Absolutely had us dumbfounded!
Esmeralda, 10yo
Everytime we turned around to look at where Fredi
was, he always had his camera pointed to the sky!
He has the most serious concentration on his
face when composing and would always break out
into a beautiful smile straight after.
Priceless. This portrait of a Oxacaña gentlemen
comprises one of the many amazing shots in his
folio.
Fredi, 10yo
Untrained yet impressive. Isai has an amazingly
creative eye. Known to everyone as chikito
(little boy), he was the youngest of the
group. Great perspectives within Santo Domingo
church.
Isai, 6yo
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The Kids
Jose is one of our resident salsa king. He is
one of the most creative in the group. Great
perspectives, great compositions, great self
shots! Shot of Camino Real Hotel on Calle 5 de
Mayo.
Jose, 18yo
Luis, a quiet-spoken boy until you get him
startedthen you struggle to shut him up! He has
taken some fantastic photos. This is a fantastic
photo of his cousin.
Luis Angel, 13yo
There is always a zing in his eyes! He speaks
with intelligence and composure. Luis is a part
of our sponsorship program. Shot of a typical
colonial architecture in Oaxaca.
Luis Eduardo, 12yo
Paola (on the left) can sing from day to night.
She could sing through every class if we let her!
I still recall the day when she strutted up in
frustration when her memory card of 1GB filled up
within 1/2hour of being on our excursion! Shot of
street vendor in the Calle Alcala, one of the
busiest streets in Oaxaca Centro.
Paola, 15yo
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The Kids
Benjy loves taking photographs of reflections in
water, great at making the walls of Monte Alban
(ruins) fall over in his pictures. Constantly
talking in class, first to participate first to
talk!
Ricardo, 13yo
Bright, uninhibited, and fearless! I still
remembered her walking up to some policemen, took
a shot, smiled then thanked them like a lady
would! This shot was taken at the local gardens
where the indigenous people sell their wares.
Salma, 9yo
Being Miss Popular, Savina is in everyone
elses photos! Bright loud, she is a character
and a half! This was a shot taken in our macro
workshop! I think she could rival the pros!
Savina, 10yo
Chino Jesus
Chino (top) Jesus (bottom) joined our workshops
on an irregular basis as they often had to help
their parents in the stalls during the day. We
bumped into Jesus selling beaded necklaces on the
streets. Hes barely 10yo. The smile on
Chinos face is priceless when we have a spare
camera and he could join us for the day!
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Financials
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www.dreambiglaughloud.com
Contact Liz Loh-Taylor Sam Taylor Email
dreambig.laughloud_at_gmail.com