Orientation Day: Quito, Ecuador

Students listen in during orientation. (Jennifer Ditona)

As students began arriving for their orientation day with Truth With A Camera in Quito, Ecuador they were greeted not only by their instructors and staff but also by the NGO’s that they would be spending their week documenting. There was a feeling of excitement in the room and even with the language differences everyone was able to express their passion and anticipation.

We started the day with a welcome speech from Wes Carrington, counselor for public affairs for the U.S Embassy in Ecuador. During his introductory remarks, Wes quoted legendary journalist Edward R. Murrow: “To be persuasive, we must be believable; to be believable, we must be credible; to be credible, we must be truthful.”

Santiago Serrano, left, and Sara Lewkowicz speaks with a representative from Fundacion Mariana de Jesus. (Jennifer Ditona)

Stephen M. Katz gave a presentation on the meaning and purpose behind “Truth.” Stephen shared a personal story  on how the power of photography can help saves lives.

After the presentations, students were paired into teams and assigned to their NGO partners. Unfortunately not all of the NGO’s had representatives present, but when things go wrong in photojournalism you learn to adapt and overcome. Through some last minute phone calls, quick thinking and a little luck, all teams were able to hit the ground running on Monday morning.

Stephen Katz, right, speaks with Truth students James Gregg, left, and Jesse Hutcheson, center. (Dave Ellis)

Orientation day ended with a relaxing dinner at Pim’s, a local restaurant where staff and students were able to get to know each other and talk about the work ahead.

After orientation, Truth students and faculty were treated to dinner and drinks at a local restaurant called Pim's. (Josh Meltzer)