Photo Aid Zimbabwe

I was looking through Photo Professional magazine back in 2017, when an article caught my attention. It was about an organisation called Photo Aid Global, that was set up by Vanessa Champion with the aim of connecting charities and NGO’s (Non-Government Organisations) whom are in real need of professional imagery to help promote the great work they’re doing, with photographers who would be willing to voluntarily provide their skills to photograph them.

It sounded like something I really wanted to be a part of - for a number of years I’ve wanted to use my pre-wedding season to photograph worthwile causes, so I joined the group, and impatiently waited for my first assignment. Around the end of last year, Vanessa messaged me to say a project in Zimbabwe has just come up to photograph a sewing and design school that was teaching valuable skills to women and girls in an area that was badly affected by Cyclone Idai. I was excited but also a little daunted to be honest, and it seemed like a long way to go for one organisation, so a schedule was set up for me to capture a few more during my five day stay.

It was quite an intense few days, as each day was spent shooting a new NGO, and one thing I hadn’t foreseen was that the majority of the shooting would have to be done during the middle of the day - a time I usually completely avoid when doing my street photography! Next time I’d definitely plan something for the late afternoons to make the most of the amazing light at that time, most probably heading to the neighbourhoods and homes of some of the beneficiaries of the NGO’s. All in all though it was a really heart-warming trip, and incredibly comforting knowing that the children have people there who are so passionate about helping them and giving the opportunities they’ll need for a better future.

So onwards with the pictures, which I’ve broken down into little sections, which will hopefully give you an idea of each NGO I photographed in Mutare, Zimbabwe.

Semwayo Sewing and Design School

The first day was spent at the Semwayo Sewing and Design School, which was set up by the man who organised the whole Zimbabwe side of the trip, Moses Semwayo. He wanted to help women and girls in his local community gain a skill that would help supplement the family income at a time when there was a large amount of unemployment. The school, which started with just one student, has now taught over 100 women and girls to sew school uniforms, re-usable sanitary pads (which were particularly important during the Cyclone Idai aftermath), and general garments which could be sold to their local communities. The sewing school is currently based in a local church, with all the sewing taught on manual machines. The current class consists of six students aged between 18-36, some of whom walk up to two hours each day to attend.