Sri Lanka is a country that has been torn by over two decades of violent civil war and the catastrophe of the 2004 Tsunami which killed and displaced tens of thousands of people. Over 67,000 people have been killed in fighting provoked by the libertarian movement of the Tigers of Tamil Eelam, and the bloody retaliation of the government. Many children live in extremely difficult and precarious situations as political turmoil continues to dictate their security and access to a peaceful environment. The Souls Foundation identified Sri Lanka as a region of particular need and entered the field to identify possible areas for intervention.

Crossing the Lines: Two Sides Living as One

We decided to focus our attention on two orphanages, the first, for girls who have been victims of abuse and neglect, and the second which models a unique environment where victims from both side of the civil war live together respectfully. In February 2006, we completed the first phase of our pilot photography program at Sri Yasodara and Sri Yasodaradevi orphanages.

As part of our program, we donated digital cameras, photographic printers and gave each student their own memory card. Over the course of a week, we conducted a series of workshops in photography. A Photoshop course in digital imaging was also set up and a local teacher was hired to teach them for about ten hours each month.

We saw the immediate fascination, excitement and joy as the girls looked through the camera for the first time and then later, saw the first prints of their photographs. We witnessed how the opportunity to explore and express their creativity boosted their self-confidence and empowered them with a sense of purpose and hope.

In June 2006, the Souls project manager returned to see what progress had been made and was pleased to find the girls enthusiastic and anxious to submit their photographs to the Souls Foundation gallery. All the students were actively involved in both the photography and Photoshop classes. At Yasodara we celebrated by giving one of our students a birthday party.