CHITSANZO - an exhibition of photography by young Malawians working for positive community-led change

CHITSANZO

AN EXHIBITION OF PHOTOGRAPHY BY YOUNG MALAWIANS WORKING FOR POSITIVE COMMUNITY-LED CHANGE

Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world. Around 16% of the population is HIV positive and every day around 237 people are infected and 139 people die from AIDS-related illnesses. The average life expectancy in the country has dropped from 45 to 39. Such is the extent of the HIV/AIDS epidemic that there are currently estimated to be somewhere between 800,000 and 1.2 million orphans in Malawi and the number is growing.

Bleak statistics such as these abound. All too often, however, it is anonymous, faceless facts and figures like these that influence our understanding of the issues at the expense of personal experience and testimony from the very people whose lives they purport to reflect.

Armed with cameras for the first time, a group of young Malawians (aged 13-20yrs) has set out to challenge this tendency, using the medium of photography to explore and document the issues shaping their everyday lives as they see and understand them. ‘Chitsanzo’ is an exhibition of the photographs taken by those teenagers, addressing and reflecting the issues that impact on their lives - from their perspective.

Established in 2000, Consol Homes is an award-winning community initiated and based organisation that works to support and address the needs of the growing number of orphans and other vulnerable children in Malawi. Starting with an initial team of just 7 local volunteers supporting single parents, guardians and orphans through the development of parenting skills programmes, over the last six years the organisation has expanded to provide a more comprehensive, integrated response to the wider needs of the communities. Today, through psychosocial, education and recreation programmes, pre-school development schemes, Community Home Based Care for the chronically sick, as well as income generation and vocational training, the organisation provides care, support and advice to over 12,000 children, teenagers and adults in almost 50 communities in central and southern Malawi.

ADMISSION FREE

PRINTS FOR SALE
(Cash and Cheques only – sorry!)

ALL PROCEEDS TO CONSOL HOMES ORPHAN CARE, MALAWI

We do hope you will be able to come and support this event
The Arts Centre bar will be open.

1st November 2007, 6.00 - 9.00pm at Dorchester Arts Centre, School Lane, The Grove, DT1 1XR

For more information contact Jessica Lousley on 01305 269 681 or jess@jessicalousley.com