A child’s creativity is crucial to their growth and development. But for marginalised and at-risk youth, this natural sense of wonder is warped by fear, pain, and the need to survive. To empower these kids to express themselves, Lydia Billings puts a camera in their hands. “We teach youth who have been through challenging experiences how to process and share their own stories,” she says.
Billings is the Director of Programs at 100cameras, a non-profit organisation that distributes cameras to children between 10 and 18 years old across the globe. From a refugee camp in Iraq to low-income neighbourhoods in New York City, kids are equipped to represent themselves and the world around them. With an outlet for their voices, the images the children produce defy negative labels attached to their communities and reframe their lived experiences. “I’m in awe of the pure, uncensored perspectives that they bring,” Billings says.
Children involved in this initiative become agents of change. The organisation provides a platform for the kids to sell their images, with 100% of the proceeds funnelled back into their communities. “They get to see the real impact of their creativity,” Billings says. Youth are taking back control over the narrative of their lives. Looking through a new lens, they have a vision for transformation.
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