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Truth With a Camera Workshop Blog Where Will You Find Truth?
In Their Own Words: Uday Khambadkone
Therapists at Fundacion Intergrar utilize hydrotherapy to help the children relax. (Uday Khambadkone)
It was awe and shock when I visited Fundacion Integrar on Monday, January 11, 2010. This was my first time interacting up close with kids who have cerebral palsy, autism and Down syndrome. I found these children to be beautiful, happy and always smiling. Every kid at the NGO had a unique personality. There is so much to learn from these children.
The director and Founder of Fundacion Integrar, Irma Martinez is such a loving lady. She runs the NGO on the 1st floor of her two story house located in the suburbs of Quito. The NGO has 24 kids ranging from 4-year-old Alejandro to 45-year-old Maria. The Foundacion has a great staff who treat these special kids with love and affection while providing them a range of therapy.
Irma introduced me to Mateo Solis’s family. Mateo, 7, who has cerebral palsy has loving parents and a 6-year-old sister, Catalina. I had the privilege to spend some time with Mateo’s sister and mother. It was touching to see them take care of Mateo with such love and dignity.
The first University of Missouri Photo Workshop, in 1949, was referred to as an “experiment in photographic education.” The director, Clifton C. Edom, had one rule: “Show Truth With A Camera.” No posing. No manipulation of the facts.
Cliff was influenced by Lewis Hine, Jacob Riis and the Farm Security Administration and their role in documenting social problems. Since that time thousands of photojournalists have educated us about war, hunger, violence and abuse around the world.
“Documentary photography”, wrote Cliff, “is the background, the roots, of modern photojournalism.” He spoke of the necessity to keep up with new technologies, but he emphasized the importance of ethics in documenting society and contributing to social justice.
Dr. Vme Edom Smith, Director and Secretary
The Edom Foundation for Photojournalism Education
Uday: Beautiful picture and comments. This is what is important in showing TRUTH WITH A CAMERA and WEYO’s statement, “See Them.”
Thank you and continue your important work! Dr. Vme Edom Smith, Honorary Director, TRUTH WITH A CAMERA WORKSHOPS, Director,
Edom Foundation for Social Justice Through Photojournalism Education.