First day with the cameras. We took pictures in the schoolyard and the classroom. After showing examples of photographs taken by some of our other groups in Dharamshala and New Orleans we discussed composition: holding the camera vertical or horizontal; using high level, low lever and eye level; framing and distance.
About One Bird
One Bird works closely with existing community organizations to increase community involvement and support project sustainability. Joint ventures allow relationships to form with other organizations who have a similar mission.
One Bird builds upon the success of The New Orleans Kid Camera Project, which addresses the emotional and psychological impacts of Hurricane Katrina on youth returning home to New Orleans. Participants are taught tangible artistic and technical skills; providing young people a forum with which to express themselves to an international audience.
Our work with kids in New Orleans consistently proves the power of our approach. The very act of creating is empowering and exciting, especially for people who have limited access to artistic tools. Documenting their experiences, and writing on a weekly basis allows participants to share their stories and express themselves.
One Bird in Haiti
One Bird co-founders Ariya Martin and Tara Malik, in partnership with the Haitian Association for Human Development and Mejham, traveled to Haiti in the summer of 2012 for the second international One Bird program. Alongside photographer and educator, Aubrey Edwards, One Bird exceeded the expected capacity and worked with 56 students, ages 10-16. The workshops took place at Picardo school and Splendeur, a Save the Children funded school, both in the Carrefour area of Port-Au-Prince called Riviere Froide. This neighborhood is the childhood home of Haitian Association President and University of New Orleans Professor Yvelyne Germain McCarthy. In following with the One Bird mission of partnering with existing community programs, One Bird was guided by Prof. Germain McCarthy in establishing a partnership with a local youth empowerment organization, Mejham to encourage community investment and program sustainability.
Participants used Canon Rebel DSLRs and Flip video cameras to document the area around the school and take portraits of one another. Each student reflected on their photographs and experiences in their own handmade journals and attended a field trip to MUPANAH (Musee du Pantheon National Haitien) and Pquet beach, a first time trip for the majority of students. Their artwork and accomplishments were celebrated at a closing ceremony with family and community members, which included student performances and a graduation ceremony, where each of the 56 students and 6 translators received a One Bird photography certificate.
A special thank you to: Yvelyne Germain McCarthy, Mejham Director Evens Mevoit, translators Bruno Menard Germain, Benjamin Sadrack, Indry Marco Mevoit, Steeven Louis, Yvens Josué, Frantz Maxi, as well as Bony for supplying us with coffee, car rides and Cremas! And of course, to the funders and supporters of One Bird for making this project possible.
Tibetan Community Camera Project
One Bird: Dharamshala
In 2008 One Bird Co-founders, Joanna Rosenthal and Ariya Martin, conducted a three week photography program for Tibetan refugees living in Dharamshala, India. One Bird partnered with Louisiana Himalaya Association and Tibetan Children’s Village Day School to offer two classes a day (one for kids age 8-11 and one for adults 18 and older). Participants learned basic digital camera functions as well as the elements of photographic composition. Each of them were able to capture their daily lives through photographs and share their thoughts through writing.
- Our Hall Our hall is big and in it there are many statues of Gods. The photo is H.H. the Dalai Lama. He is the leader of our country. He is very kind and he likes to help others. Long live the Dalai Lama.
- Natural Environment I like nature and my favorite color is green. In the beginning nature was so clean, serene and gorgeous. Everything green grew up very naturally. Nature, the animals and earth could exist peacefully. Natural beauty is very crucial. I personally like the most natural beauty.
- Decrease of the Environment Nowadays the world has many changes. There is no limitation to the evolution in the world. Nevertheless, people are damaging our natural world too. When the environment is damaged, there comes a lot of disease and it is a big problem in the world.
- The Tibetan Flag I like this picture because it shows the Tibetan have a freedom. So it makes me feel that Tibet will be free. Free Tibet!
- Candles The picture is after a candlelight vigil for the Tibetan people. So people put the candles around the temple. When I took this photo it made me miss my village in Tibet. When I was in Tibet my village people prayed with candles in front of God every morning. Also, Tibetans use candles for peace and anniversaries. So I love it very much.
- Indian Family This picture is of an Indian family. He is a grandfather and he wears traditional clothes. He always wears them. On his left is a woman. She is his son’s wife. She has two children. She keeps her head covered with cloth because she never shows her face to the grandfather. It is part of Indian culture.
- Om Mani Pad Me Hom This is an om mani prayer wheel. It is filled with thousands of avalokteshvara mantras. By turning this wheel once a person earns merit equal to the recitation of the mantras filled inside this wheel. Kindly turn it clockwise. May all beings find peace and happiness. It is my favorite.
- Homeless Dogs These dogs are homeless and everybody can see these animals around Dharamsala. They don’t have any property but they don’t have any tension. They are always overjoyed. Westerners like the homeless dogs, but Indians do not like the dogs. So the homeless dogs depend on the Tibetan society. Some people cannot protect their houses so some dogs are better at this than human beings.
- Metal House We are the same human beings but there is a big difference between our property. Some people are living in buildings that have three or four stories and they almost have everything, but they are still not happy. They always think that they need more property. But some people are homeless and they are just living in metal houses, like this picture, which I took yesterday. They look happier and less greedy. I think that happiness is more important than property.
- Colorful Insect I took this picture because I really like to take pictures of natural objects, especially this colorful insect, which we call a butterfly. It made me happy when I saw it flying around the flowers. It looked so beautiful and peaceful.
