DIGICEL FOUNDATION HELPS YOUNG PEOPLE SEE THROUGH A DIFFERENT LENS

FRIDAY DECEMBER 11, 2020: PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO- Twelve young people from the Enterprise Police Youth Club and the Dass Trace Youth Empowerment Committee are now skilled photographers after completing a six week course with the Oral Traditions ROOTS Foundation. The $TT20, 000 in EPIC funding covered the purchase of photography equipment for the youth intervention entitled ‘Beyond the Lens’.

Over the six-week period, participants learned basic photography, lighting techniques, photo editing, how to use graphic design software, and create an online portfolio.

Facilitator Michael Logie said, “When I sat down to assess their skills at the end of the programme, what I saw confirmed all their hard work and dedication to this course.” As a result of the programme, Logie provided a digital space on his online platform for the young participants to show case their work and interact with one another.

Leader of the Enterprise Police Youth Club, Justin Lewis, also expressed his pride in the participants. “This is definitely a proud moment, seeing youths from different parts of Enterprise coming together to learn and improve themselves” he said.

In his opening remarks at the launch, ROOTS founder and CEO Mtima Solwazi said, “Today is a celebration of success. It really brings joy to my heart to see the skills of these youths transformed, so they can learn a new way to express what is inside them, raise themselves to a higher level and, the world around them.”

Beyond the Lens is an innovative programme that combines young adult education with oral traditions using digital media. The goal is to enable young people to become advocates for social change in themselves, their community, and their world. The programme was one of 23 approved EPIC initiatives funded by the Digicel Foundation this year.