2015-01-02 | The Guardian
NGO Lensational provided cameras and photography training to the children of sex workers in Pakistan’s second city. These are the results
Anna Leach
In September 2013, Lensational partnered with Sheed Society, a NGO that provides free education to the children of sex workers in Lahore, on a photography project. Eighteen children aged five to 17, seven girls and 11 boys, took part in the three-hour workshop. It started with the children introducing themselves by drawing a picture, then they were split up into groups with one volunteer each and given their own disposable cameras.
Photograph: Lensational
“This picture was taken by the only girl in my group,” says Bonnie Chiu, the co-founder of Lensastional (pictured right). “Somehow the sunlight behind the brick wall made this picture very artistic. I asked them to pose with the victory sign as Chinese people often do.”
Photograph: Lensational
“Generally speaking, the boys were much more active and took initiatives to use the cameras, whereas the girls, who were older, gave the boys the cameras to use first,” says Chiu. “But they were all quick learners and took beautiful photographs.”
Photograph: Lensational
“This girl was very timid, as you can see from the way she poses. But she loves singing and whenever she sings, her timidity disappears. She has a younger brother and she always gave the camera to him.”
Photograph: Lensational
“In the introduction I told the children that is was my first time to Pakistan and I wanted to see the country through the photographs they take,” says Chiu.
Photograph: Lensational
“We asked this boy to pose with his favourite background – and he chose this, even though it’s messy. They are rebuilding the neighbourhood so he wants to capture this before it changes.”
Photograph: Lensational
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https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/gallery/2015/jan/02/child-lahore-red-light-district-pictures-photography