Kyangwali Refugee Camp Uganda
Welcome to Part 2.
If you have already read Part 1, I promised Janvier's story but I'll tell that inthe next post about the workshops and the adventures of the New Hope Theatre group.
This post is all about the children. Put the kettle on.
Some children in these images we passed on the road; others walked with us to the workshops at the Coburwas centre most mornings, unless it was raining or they had to work in the fields. Some are orphaned, some have malaria and many only get to eat once every three days. We met some of them on their way to school, Coburwas Primary where they get two meals a day.
They were all curious about the Mizungu (the white man). As news spread that Jen, George,Jason and I had arrived at the camp, more and more children joined us. Sometimes they would compete to hold our hands as we walked along - it was one of those times when you wish you had a second pair.
George is very funny and has an aura about him just like the child in the old Ready Brek advert. He spent days trying to teach the children a beautiful song which they eventually sang non-stop. Occasionally in my life I feel fortunate to be deaf in one ear.
Arsenal and Samsung must be kicking themselves they missed such a good PR opportunity.
We greeted this lady each morning
This girl looked deep in thought and under the strain of her burden. it was a hot day and she was on a very long road. I couldn't help thinking her dress must have been new once.
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Supporters of the charity Theatre Versus Oppression have sponsored some of the children at the Coburwas Primary School. Details here. It's the best school on the camp and the only one which feeds the children. It seems obvious that you can't study well if you are hungry - or do anything physical..
The difference between those in school and those who aren't is massive.
These two images were taken just 200m apart.
In school, healthy and able to build a house.
Not in school and cared for by a frail grandmother who is too weak to work the fields or repair the house. They rely on the generosity of neighbours for food.
The 'photo brief' was 'to chronicle daily life on the camp' for an exhibition in Cardiff. It was a challenge because every time I took the camera out the children would start to pose.
It was great fun - especially when they saw the images in the back of the camera - pure joy - because they didn't know what they looked like.
The process was also affirming their existence.
Well they were happy because we were having a lot of fun, but the 125th. of a second it takes for the shutter to click is a very short time.
What I did notice - the children who were in school smiled a lot more often than those who weren't.
The school children didn't have to do so much carrying.
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These children walk miles everyday from home to well. The rains came late this year and the harvest wasn't good. Maize and manioc are the main crops as well as Irish potatoes cabbages and some onions. Whilst we were there people were busy harvesting - they had a 2-week window to do this and also sow the next crop. They even toiled by moonlight with children as young as 4 working the fields.
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In the next post . . . .the reason for the whole trip . . . working with Jen Jason, George &
the New Hope Theatre Group .and Janvier's Story
Thanks for reading this far - please share.
Paddy
If you would like to support the work of Theatre Versus Oppression in the Kyangwali Refugee Camp you can make a donation here. Or you can use this fantastic link when you shop for stuff online - as they donate a little to the charity and IT DOESN'T COST YOU A PENNY. Thank you.
all images are copyright panopticphotography 2012
if you would like to lift any images to re-post please get in touch first
paddy@panopticphotography.co.uk or leave a comment below thanks
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