Kickstarter

For the past 10 years I have taught photography to youth in North Philadelphia as well as in my mother's native Colombia. My goal has been to teach the students how to use photography to explore the world around them and create images that have deep personal meaning. This year I have taken the project even further, pairing my North Philadelphia and Colombia students in a cultural exchange where they get to share their images with their partners and learn about their respective cultures.

The six-month exchange will begin with the students using email and Skype to share their photos and videos over the Internet. The project will culminate with my students from Philadelphia traveling with me to Colombia this summer to actually meet their partners and experience another culture firsthand. All the students will also participate in a group show of their work in Colombia's capital of Bogotá!  

This Kickstarter Project, if funded, will help me take my students to Colombia to see the successful completion of their project. It will also help cover the cost of mounting their group exhibition in Bogotá. Up until this point I have used my own resources, along with donations of equipment from local photographers, to build darkrooms in Philadelphia and Colombia as well as provide both groups with film and digital cameras along with computers. I have spent months of my time, gladly given, to get to this point. The finish line is within sight and my students and I need help to reach it.

Having taught in the Philadelphia public schools for nearly 15 years, I have learned that students learn best from real experiences. As nice as it is to learn about art by seeing it in a book, it doesn't compare to experiencing it in person. As wonderful as learning about another culture over the Internet is, it pales in comparison to actually going there to experience the sights, sounds, and smells in person. It can be a life changing experience for a child and something that will help shape their perspectives for the rest of their lives.


Thank you for considering becoming a supporter of our project. Please contact me at chicodecali@yahoo.com if you have any questions or feedback.