NEW! Watch the Video
| |
Play video now...
|
Click here to watch a new 15 minute video about the kids of Jeronimo Lopez and the Sister City Project. Requires Windows Media Player and a broadband connection.
Our Mission
"NicaPhoto builds confidence, awareness and creativity in youngsters and opens their eyes to a new way of seeing the world. It also allows others insights into their lives through their remarkable photographs."
About NicaPhoto
The camera is a powerful tool, especially in the hands of youngsters. It can allow us insight into their world and stimulate their creativity and self awareness.
These photos are taken by youths ranging in age from 11 to 20 years who live in the Jeronimo Lopez barrio of Nagarote, Nicaragua. Jeronimo Lopez is one of the poorest barrios in Nagarote and Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the hemisphere. These kids are surrounded by gangs, drugs, crime and violence, yet there is a joy in their photography, as in their lives, that belies their poverty. There is much to be learned and even more to be enjoyed through their vision.
About The Jeronimo Lopez Barrio
In the Jeronimo Lopez neighborhood crime, teen pregnancy, alcoholism, domestic violence, AIDS, drug abuse and gang activity are all serious problems. This isn't surprising considering unemployment is well above 43%, 78% of the adult population has not completed a sixth grade education, and 23% of all households are headed by single mothers. In 2001, the Norwalk/Nagarote Sister City Project initiated the Youth Project to provide youngsters in the barrio a positive alternative to life on the streets. It has been enormously successful.
Ronnie Maher, a photographer and teacher, and Susan Pascucci, a retired English teacher, traveled to Nagarote in 2005 to provide photography and writing workshops for 25 kids in the Youth Project. They took with them 5 Nikon Coolpix digital cameras. Five days and 5,000 photos later, they returned with some of the most compelling photos imaginable. A selection is available for viewing and purchase at the Gallery page.
|
|
A Cross Cultural Exchange
We have forged a link between the Jeronimo Lopez photographers and a group of their peers at Briggs High School, in Norwalk, CT. The Briggs students, many of whom come from similar backgrounds and some of whom are Hispanic, were impressed by the photography, the biographical-poems and the poverty shown in the photos. One girl commented "They seemed so happy and laughing. I complain and get so mad when I don't get everything I want and yet I look at their pictures and they don't have nearly as much as I do."
The Jeronimo Lopez students were amazed to see from the Briggs biographical-poems and photos that not all "gringos" are white and rich.
The photography and writing classes are continuing at both Briggs High School and Jeronimo Lopez. The cross cultural exchange will also continue and you can expect to see new photos on this web site from time to time. Your purchase of these photos will help us continue the classes and exchange.
NicaPhoto is a project of the Norwalk/Nagarote Sister City Project.
About The Norwalk/Nagarote Sister City Project
Started in 1986, the Norwalk/Nagarote Sister City Project (N/NSCP) is a partnership for sustainable community development between the people of Nagarote, Nicaragua and the Greater Norwalk Area of Connecticut.
Over the years N/NSCP has worked with the people of Nagarote to create a public library and children's library, provide safe housing, build a pre-school, plant more than 1,000 trees as well as operate the Youth Project. Visit our web site at www.sistercityproject.org to learn more.
How to Contact Us
NicaPhoto
P.O. Box 382
Norwalk, CT 06852-0382
(203) 846-1109 Phone
(203) 846-1109 Fax
E-Mail: buy@nicaphoto.com
Also visit Norwalk/Nagarote Sister City Project
|
|
