Kalandia Youth MediA

I’m excited to look through the photos. Taking out the card reader, the SD cards. Pulling the cameras out of the green canvas bag. It’s like a treat after a hard day. Because when I look at the photos, it’s all worth it. The repetition of lessons, the drills, the exercises, the hours spent brainstorming ideas that will make the kids excited by photography. It’s difficult for them, I know. They have a teacher who speaks minimal Arabic and the equipment often malfunctions. They need validation. They  need coaxing. They need time. And effort. And energy. Not just to listen to the lessons, but to apply what they learned with their eyes, and ears, and the click of a button through a viewfinder. It’s hard at first. They learn about angles, colour, shape, detail, action. These are all aspects of photography I have covered with them so far. And the usefulness of creative photography is minimal for them at the moment. They have seen their work on the computer and in the camera’s memory, but they have yet to see their work mounted and viewed by others. And to hear the reaction of others. They have yet to feel that emotional connection to their work that comes with planning a photo, applying all skills to a single frame. That frame which will capture how they feel, who they are, and what they want to convey.

But the youth are getting closer to that magical photo. I can see it in the photos they take and the painstaking energy they put into taking a single shot. Where there was once giggling and joking around, there is now focus and motivation. It’s hot outside, with the sun beating down, and they stand in the heat to take a photo of a tiny white egg, laying hidden amongst dry grass. They have gone from snapping quick shots of graffiti and the separation wall to action shots of children and interesting architecture angles. They are absorbed with colour and shape. There is nothing wrong with taking photos of graffiti. In fact, it’s something they want the world to see. “This is what we think. This is our life.” The photos and descriptions were pent up anger and craving for freedom.

One of my goals in the program is to push beyond those emotions. They will be there as long as the occupation is here, but photography is their window outside of that. Media will give them a chance to be creative, feel  empowered, feel free. Even if it’s only for that brief time when they take a photo and view their work hanging in the centre every day. It’s a memory of that time in their life. And it underscores the fact that they aren’t alone. Some of the program’s goals are to help these youth express themselves and think critically. We’re getting there and I can see it now, shway shway.