A Snapshot of Africa ~ Arabian Arcade

As part of global celebrations for Day of the African Child, Sony Europe has today unveiled photographs from the sixth Sony EYE-SEE initiative, an annual workshop held in partnership with UNICEF, giving vulnerable African children the opportunity to learn about photography and tell their stories through images.

Held from April 13 to 17th this year in Bamako, the capital of Mali, the photographs capture life in the city as seen through the eyes of a group of twenty boys and girls aged 10-18yrs. They capture the children’s daily lives and explore common themes ranging from playfulness and humour to the harsh realities of extreme poverty and child labour.

UNICEF photographer Giacomo Pirozzi led the group in an intensive week-long workshop, equipping them with a Sony digital camera and teaching them the core photography techniques necessary to go out and shoot the pictures.

What is the Eye-See initiative?

Developed as an exercise in non-formal education, the Sony EYE SEE initiative aims to give children a voice by promoting participation and diversity of expression, as well as highlighting key issues in the community through the medium of photography.

Children who live or work on the street are selected to learn about photography, and at the same time strengthen their social skills and enjoy a safe space to learn about their rights.

The workshop was facilitated in partnership with the UNICEF Japanese National Committee and implemented by local partners The Association of Working Children (AEJT) and the Centre for the Promotion of Training in Photography (CFP).

Previous initiatives have been held in UNICEF offices in Pakistan, Liberia, Rwanda, Madagascar, South Africa and Ethiopia.

How is Sony involved?

Sony has been a long-term partner of UNICEF and the chief supporter of Eye-See, actively contributing to every workshop over the last six years.

In addition, this year Sony donated 12 VAIO laptop computers and 25 Sony Cybershot digital cameras in order to help offer further workshops to marginalised youth and provide opportunities for children to learn about photography and social media.

Last year, Eye-See also formed part of the Sony World Photography Award’s ’Focus Award’, with winners working as part of the initiative to highlight the Rights of the Child, UNICEF’s core vision for that year.

What happens next?

Throughout 2011, photographs by the children will be featured in a series of exhibitions around the world, beginning in Mali on June 16th to mark Day of the African Child.

Below is a gallery of images taken by the children and their mentor Giacomo Pirozzi

#1: Garbage dump on a hill behind Marché de Medina Koura. Copyright UNICEF Mali / 2011 /.Korotim Djire
#2: A young girl and her brothers in Dravéla. Copyright UNICEF Mali / 2011 / Rokia Keita
#3: A child blacksmith behind Marché de Medina Koura. Copyright UNICEF Mali / 2011 / Zoumana Diallo
#4: Fatoumata poses for UNICEF photographer Giacomo Pirozzi, as part of the EYE SEE initiative 2011. Copyright UNICEF Mali / 2011 / Giacomo Pirozzi
#5: Assetou Diarra prepares meat, while her grandson Rokiatou Guindo eats a mango in Hamdallaye. Copyright UNICEF Mali / 2011 / Rokiatou Guindo
#6: Portrait of a young water seller outside the Centre for the Promotion of Training in Photography (CFP). Copyright UNICEF Mali / 2011 / Minata Sissoko
#7: Fatoumata Kalako holds her son in front of the family Abdoulaye Cissé house in Hamdallaye. Copyright UNICEF Mali / 2011 / Abdoulaye Cisse