Have a digital camera you don't need? Please donate it to our new photography project with children from a small village in Northwest Argentina. DONATION DEADLINE EXTENDED!
The Project: WichiWater
We take your old cameras and put them in the hands of Wichi children from villages all around the Salta province of Northwest Argentina. They’ll take photos of their lives, themselves. They’ll have some fun and in the process learn how to use digital cameras as well as how to interact with professional photographers both in person and online. You get to see them smile!
You get to see their photos online and in gallery and museum exhibitions across Argentina and the United States.
See what good your old camera can do!
Our first exhibition was at the Casa de la Cultura in Salta, Argentina. People couldn't believe the photos were taken by children, let alone children who had never held a camera until a couple months earlier.
Who Are We?
The Wichi community of northwest Argentina, Salta and Jujuy provinces.
A group of indigenous people who live all over the region. Often their villages do not have a clean water supply. Many times they do not have enough food or even clothing. They do have a rich culture and language that is an important part of Argentina’s heritage.
Maximiliano Mura: a multi-talented Argentine photographer originally from Buenos Aires province now living in Salta.
Ana Soruco: nutritionist from Argentina’s Jujuy province. She has been working with members of the Wichi community to help bring food, water, clothing and awareness to the people there.
Elio Néstor Fernández: founder of Idioma Wichi, a group dedicated to preserving Wichi language and culture. He is our Salta city connection to the communities around the region.
What We Need?
Your functioning digital cameras. Any kind. Any age. It's ok if they don't have all their parts or are scratched and dented. They don't need all the accessories. If the camera has it's own specific battery, it's best that that be included and working.
How To Send Your Cameras?
For people living in the United States:
You can mail the cameras directly to our Atlanta mailing address. They should arrive on or before September 1, 2011.
Leigh Shulman
c/o Jane Steele
5505 Roswell Road, Ste 300
Atlanta, GA 30342
Any cameras that arrive before that day, I'll bring back with me to Argentina.
For people living in Argentina:
If you live anywhere other than Salta, you can send me a text to my Argentina cell 0387 15 539 4777 or e-mail me at leigh (at) cloudhead.org and we can figure a way to get them.
If you live in Salta, let's go for a coffee. You can bring them then.
For people living anywhere else:
Send your camera to the Atlanta address above. When I have a reliable Argentina address, we'll send them.
Let Us Know About You
We're designing a website, coming soon, soon, soon, that will provide more information about this and other projects we have happening through our new, soon-to-be-announced non-profit. I'd like to include your names on our sponsors page.
So please remember to include any personal and business information you'd like to see on the sponsors page. I'm happy to include links to any website or blog as well. And please send your e-mail address if you'd like to hear updates about this project and be the first to know when we post photos.
I promise never to send any spam. You can opt out at any time.
Any Questions? Feel free to e-mail me with any thoughts, questions or concerns at leigh (at) cloudhead.org.
Love this idea! All the best with it. Look forward to seeing the results - maybe you will give permission for us to post some of them?
Posted by: Lucy | January 21, 2011 at 01:04 PM
Hiya Leigh, I have a digital camera for you but I missed the mail cut-off date. Can I still send it to you somehow?
Posted by: Amy Kellner | February 13, 2011 at 07:33 PM
Can I get tax deductions if I donate my old digital camera?? I'm willing to donate this camera
Posted by: auto donation program | February 15, 2011 at 03:16 AM
Sounds like a wonderful idea, I hope for the best!
Posted by: Alice | February 17, 2011 at 05:43 PM
GOD bless this project it was so touching, I really like helping people!! I like your job and have always bless day..
Posted by: Procrastination Free Living | June 22, 2011 at 04:04 AM
This is a wonderful project :) I've traveled in this particular area of Argentina & the people are lovely - best wishes.
Posted by: Nomadic Samuel | August 10, 2011 at 02:57 AM
Hey Samuel,
Glad to hear you liked this part of Argentina. We've lived in Salta for almost three years now and also like it. One of the reasons is the people here.
You have any plans to return? Or perhaps you'd like to get involved in this project in other ways?
Thanks for your comment!
xoL
Posted by: Leigh Shulman | August 11, 2011 at 03:56 PM
MICATZ, a non-profit organization based in Tanzania, places volunteers from across the world willing to assist in various welfare projects in schools, hospitals, orphanages, monasteries, community/government organizations etc. with an aim to educate and help influence the life of the deprived people throughout Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Posted by: jamesmical | February 03, 2012 at 03:57 AM