A young boy takes a break from his work in this dump collecting scraps to hold his baby sister.
I wanted to take opportunity to promote a wonderful cause that does so much good. I’ve been lucky enough to witness it first hand for the past 6 years and we are headed back this March to continue our partnership. The God’s Child Project is the NGO (non-governmental organization) that we work with for our Visual Reportage Workshops.
Since 2007 when we brought our first group of photographers down to La Antigua Guatemala we’ve been returning each year with another buch of students eager to learn about what the project does for the poor and voiceless of Guatemala while at the same time expanding their photographic visions. We work alongside social workers, doctors, nurses, teachers and volunteers as they serve the children and families associated with the projects various organizations in Guatemala: Casa Jackson (a home and care center for malnourished children), The Scheel Center ( as specialized technical school), The Santa Madre Homeless Shelter and the Dreamer Center (the heart and Soul of the project and the main campus housing a school, medical and dental clinics, social work department, a library, chapel and weekly food distributions as well as the ITEMP (The Institute for Trafficked, Exploited and Missing Persons). Our students learn first hand through outreach and direct immersion with the professionals that run this incredible organization.
So what can you do? Sure, throwing money at it will help but as I’ve come to find out, direct involvement is what really makes the difference. If you want to get involved and need more info please click this link: http://www.godschild.org/get-involved. Another way to get involved if you are a budding photojournalist in the making or even a professional photographer that has always wanted to see how your photos can make a real difference–come join our Visual Reportage Workshop this March 8 – March 16. All the details are below:
Residents from the small Mayan village of Tuila look at photos from a previous VR trip. Photo by Jessica Rattner
The what. As you might already know, this is an intensive 9-day workshop where you are fully immersed in a foreign culture and work shoulder to shoulder with a top non-governmental aid organization deeply involved with social and human rights issues as they do their work. Additional to the work we do with the Gods Child Project, we also have a great working relationship with the Bomberos of Guatemala City – these are the ambulance drivers who are called for any and all occasion they are needed. This is usually an overnight (of no sleep) and its an amazing opportunity for image-making.
There are many more details to give you but the important thing to know is once in Antigua on Saturday your basic needs – breakfast, dinners, and a clean and secure place to sleep – are handled. All you need to concern yourself with is the day-to-day immersion in all the amazing photography opportunities available here. Each evening you will return to your host family for dinner, back up your files and do a soft edit. After dinner we will be meeting together as a group to run a crit on the day’s work.
These are long and fabulously full days that will forward your work in ways you cannot imagine. Our invitation is simple…join us!
The schedule. The dates for the workshop begin Thursday evening March 8 and run thru Friday night March 16. Beginning on Thursday night March 8 all of your accommodations are taken care of through Friday night March 16. You will arrive in Guatemala City where we will host your stay at the Hotel Colonial for Thursday and Friday nights – your meals are on your own but we will probably be dining together. On Saturday morning the aid organization will pick us up and take us to La Antigua where we will be staying with host families who provide your housing, breakfast and dinners on all days (except Sunday).
What you get. You get is two nights at the Hotel Colonial in Guatemala City (March 8 and 9 – meals on these days are not provided), transportation to Antigua on Saturday, once in Antigua your housing from Saturday, March 10 through Friday night March 16 with breakfasts and dinners for these days (except Sunday) are covered, transportation from Antigua to the Guatemala City airport for your return flight. Each day you will be transported to any one of the God’s Child Project worksites or facilities and brought back in the evening. Most days you will be meeting after dinner for a review of the day’s work and critique – this is an important part of the whole experience.
The cost. $2,495. As in the past this trip will fill quickly, a $500. deposit will hold your spot, don’t delay if you want to be on this trip. This rate does not include airfare, and the good news is airfares to Guatemala City are very reasonable if bought in advance.
Let us know if you have questions.
Looking forward,
