Journeys Within Our Community: Nonprofit, Charity, and Philanthropy in Cambodia and Southeast Asia

Focus: Siem Reap

ePhoto taken by JWOC student:Lai Ratmana

Change...

Tourism in Cambodia is exploding with the rapid development of the country and nowhere is this more true than Siem Reap. With more than 2 million tourists coming to Siem Reap each year it is having a significant impact on this otherwise small city. Much of the change is good with an increasing number of jobs available and opportunities for entrepeneurs. However along with this growth also comes spikes in inflation, urban slums, sex industry, traffic, and pollution. As more and more people leave the rural provinces and come to Siem Reap in hopes of finding a better living these changes will only intensify.

Documentation...

The JWOC Photo Voice Workshop is designed to engage young Cambodians, who are witnessing this change, through visual dialogue by documenting their day to day experiences and bringing to light issues of concern in their communities. . Not only will the students learn about the technology of photography, they will also learn to utilize this media as a means of expression, a voice. By providing an outlet for the discussion of these social issues and cultural shifts we hope to shed light on what life is like in a country that is struggling to break free of its troubled past and join the rest of the world as a developed nation.

the Workshop...

The workshop is held once a week for two hours and taught by photographer Melissa Rosete-Wolfe. Currently there are 25 students attending each week. Their is no age limit on the students, but most fall between 13 and 18 years of age. The students are all eager to learn digital photography skills and techniques, so the class combines both digital and 35mm film instruction. As the students become more comfortable with taking photographs, start developing unique styles and producing photographs that really capture elements of their lives we will exhibit their work both in and outside of Cambodia. In addition, Journeys-Within Tour Company has plans to publish a coffee table book featuring work produced by the students. We will begin offering many of these photographs as high quality prints which can be purchased.

If you are interested in knowing more about the workshop or contributing in some way to it, please contact Melissa at: Melissa@Journeys-Within.com

*This project was made possible in part by a generous grant from the SHARE Institute.