Mateo Solis,7, giggles as his mother, Liliona, nuzzles him on Wed. Jan. 13th, 2010 at their home in the suburbs of Quito, Ecuador. (Uday Khambadkone)

Fundacion Integrar began as a group of professionals seeking educational and therapeutic techniques to enhance the development of people with cognitive disabilities and autism. Integrar evolved into a social development organization that actively participates in the formulation of public policies that guarantee the rights of a vulnerable population, in developing plans for the equalization of opportunities and social inclusion of persons with disabilities.

Their mission is to provide comprehensive care for children and youth in their cognitive development with a focus on “Gentle Teaching.”

Truth students Anja Lehmann, a freelance photographer from Berlin, and Dallas freelancer Uday Khambadkone have been documenting the efforts of Foundacion Integrar and its clients for the Quito workshop.

Stray dogs sneak up on a client of Fundacion Integrar as she eats her snack. (Anja Lehmann)

Always an ambassador of the United States wherever she goes, student Sara Lewkowicz clowns around in the market. This is Sara's third workshop with Truth With A Camera.

Yesterday, many of the Truth With A Camera students and faculty members embarked on a daytrip to Otavalo, Ecuador. There they took in the sights and smells of an open-air livestock exchange, visited the waterfall at Cascada de Peguche and spent time shopping at the weekly market.

Today marks the official start of the workshop. Faculty will lead the students through a half-day long orientation, which will include meeting with representatives from the NGO’s who’s mission they will be documenting.

Uday Khambadkone photographs from an open bus window on the way to Otavalo.

James Gregg speaks with locals after photographing them at a local livestock exchange.

Truth instructor Stephen Katz, left, shoots video of the waterfall at Cascada de Peguche.

Truth students Micah Escamilla, left , and Sara Lewkowicz, center, catch up on sleep on the way back to Quito.

photo by Karla Gachet

Imagine children as young as 6-years-old running in and out of traffic in the street, trying to sell a piece of gum, wash a windshield, or juggle oranges for change. They lack education, suffer from malnutrition, and are surrounded by a world of danger and loneliness.

Now imagine it is your job to tell the whole world who these children are. To breath light into an existence too few know about. That’s the critical role photographers working with non-profits and NGO’s play. It is exactly what you’ll be tasked with if you join our next workshop in Quito, Ecuador.

Registration is now open. Click on this LINK to apply.