I choose to take this photo

These images were taken by grade 7-12 students from rural KwaZulu Natal and Eastern Cape provinces in South Africa as part of  part of a pilot project by Sonke Gender Justice Network called PhotoVoice.  Sonke hoped to explore the use of photography to both teach and learn from children about human rights and gender equality issues in their communities. Children were given disposable cameras and a crash course in the basics of photography (lesson plan here: please employ liberally!)  as well as a series of trainings by local organizers regarding human rights issues and gender equality. Then they were asked to give voice to the  issues that concerned them, as well as to show positive actions that people were taking to address those issues. They were taught to record their observations in notebooks (here's a sample); Sonke staff then selected photos and text to exhibit at the school.

On the day of the exhibit, hundreds of community members came to hear what the children had to say. They were also encouraged to reflect on the questions posed by the children. Some images were printed onto post cards addressed to the town mayor and other local politicians, and at the end of the exhibit, visitors were encouraged to write messages to these actors asking for action. This material has since been used to guide policy advocacy. In 2009, the children's photographs and writing were displayed at the UN. You can meet some of the photographers and see images of the exhibit day along with many of the final posters (PDF) in the students' own writing. 

The title of this gallery was taken from a student journal.