1 camera +1 memory card = 1 freaking happy Iraqi kid

Yesterday we launched a campaign for The ONE-SHOT Project, to gather cameras for our upcoming workshops in northern Iraq this summer.  We'll be running four workshops this summer... three workshops over the same three weeks in June!  So we clearly need more cameras to accommodate the extra students.

We need 20 point & shoot cameras and 15 DSLR camera bodies with lenses.

Thanks to our awesome supporters, we've got 8 cameras on the way already!  Yeah!  In my heart of hearts, I'm hoping that we can have our gear needs totally met by my birthday in a couple weeks.  That would be the BEST birthday!!

So, if you've upgraded your own camera, and have one tucked away that you're not using, please send it on an adventure with one of our students.  We could fundraise and buy new cameras (and we might do that at some point).  But the truth is that there are millions of cameras collecting dust.  We'd love to connect your camera with a kid who will have an amazing time learning about photography, about peacemaking, and about themselves.

If you would share this post (or better yet, share the post at the ONE-SHOT blog), tweet about it (@oneshotproject), or tell your friends, you'd be an even bigger rock star than you already are!

I'll keep you posted.
xoxo

Each One Helps One

**update:  Yeah!!  We did it!  Thank you for helping our Burundian sisters.  What a sweet, sweet day this is!**


Okay, so if I were to start an NGO (which I am NOT, but if I were) I'd call it Each One Helps One.  Because that's really what it comes down to.  If each of us helped just one other person, so many issues could be wiped out.  No, not curing cancer, or world peace.  But there are so many things that could be accomplished.


For argument's sake, let's say that each month had a different focus.  And everyone focused their energies on the same issue.  And it got looked after.  And then the next month, focus shifted on a different issue.  So the folks on the ground could spend their time and resources on the big problems that are difficult to solve and need the investment of lots of time and lots of love.  We could free them up to do just that.


One very simple issue with huge implications that's been floating around twitter has been the matter of how complicated life is if you don't have identification.  Most of us (me included) take having ID totally for granted.  Jordon Cooper (@JordonCooper) has been talking about the implications of this for the homeless and marginalized he works with in downtown Saskatoon.  Idelette McVicker (@idelette) has been tweeting about a fabulous campaign at SheLoves Magazine to get identification for women in Burundi.

“As far as the world was concerned, they did not exist.  With no official record of their existence they could claim no rights, no representation, no residence or real home. For all intents and purposes they were invisible … exiles in their own land living in the shadows of Burundian society.”   -Kelley Johnson

Guess how much it costs for ID in Burundi?  $12.  Yes.  That's it.  Right now they're focussed on the village of Bubanza, and are working on getting the funds together to make sure that every woman there has identification, and all of the social standing that comes with that.  


I'm NOT starting an NGO, but if I was, this is the first place I'd focus attention: gaining identification for everyone who needs it.  So what do you say?  $12.  Head over here to leave a donation.  If you're Canadian, you'll even get a tax receipt.  If you're not Canadian, I hope the warm fuzzy feeling is enough to make you click through.

Love in Restitution

"Each human being is at the same time both riddled with divine sparks and in desperate need of repair. Each person is the whole world. And every human action therefore plays a role in the final restitution. Whatever we do is related to this ultimate task: to return all things to their original place in God. Everything a person does affects the process".  -Lawrence Kushner  Source: Eyes Remade for Wonder  via Inward/Outward 

It's as simple and as difficult as that.  When we allow ourselves to be changed by Love, the world is changed. 

People can change anything the want to...

“People can change anything they want to. 

And that means everything in the world. 

People are running about following their 

little tracks - I am one of them. But we've 

all got to stop just following our own little 

mouse trail. People can do anything - this 

is something that I'm beginning to learn. 

People are out there doing bad things to 

each other. That's because they've been 

dehumanised. It's time to take the humanity 

back into the center of the ring and follow 

that for a time. Greed, it ain't going anywhere. 

They should have that in a big billboard across 

Times Square. Without people you're nothing. 

That's my spiel.”  

-Joe Strummer of The Clash, via cameras 4 change

Make Your Own Adventure

I was putting together a post on personal projects for my Click! blog, and was reminded of some really powerful truths that go far beyond photography.

You don't have to wait to be invited.
You don't have to wait to be chosen.
In fact, if you wait, it'll probably never happen
and your life will be marked by the waiting
rather than the doing.

The most interesting work you do
will be work that you developed.
The most interesting projects you are involved with
will be the projects you created.
Want to read an amazing book?
Write it.
Want to watch a fascinating film?
Shoot it.
Want to be moved by a stirring photograph?
Make it.
Want to be part of a rich community life?
Invite someone over for dinner.

Whatever it is you crave from life...
do that thing.

Just start.

Somewhere.  Anywhere.  Just go ahead and start.

I didn't need a single thing for Christmas, so I asked my family and friends to chip in for books to create a library for our ONE-SHOT students.

A good friend had a fancy New Year's Eve party, and wanted to have a charitable fundraiser as part of the event.  I asked her if she'd consider chipping in for books for the library.  She said yes.

There wasn't a library.  Now there's a library (well... as soon as the books are delivered).  Not a huge one, but a start.

I was blown away by the generosity and love of my family and friends.  I was left undone that they would embrace these kids I love on the other side of the world.

It really is just this simple.

Penn State: Why I think we're shocked by the wrong thing.

If you live in North America, you've likely heard the story unfolding at Penn State.  A former assistant coach has been charged with sexually abusing boys, and the legendary head coach, Joe Paterno, has been fired for not doing enough when allegations came to light nearly a decade ago.  Students who support Paterno (and his 61-year career at Penn State) have rioted.  And all over social media, you read the word 'shocked'.  People are shocked about the story, and shocked that the students seem to care more about sport than abused kids.

Is it shocking that sexual abuse was not reported to police by an organization concerned about their reputation and ability to raise huge amounts of money? Not really.

Is it shocking that a group of young people raised to worship sports heroes have acted out their frustration that one of their own was seen to be punished for the actions of others. No. Not shocking.

I'd like to suggest that we're shocked by the wrong thing.

Statistically speaking, some members of the Penn State coaching staff were sexually abused as children. Some members of the Penn State board of trustees were sexually abused as children.

Statistically speaking, some of those rioting students have been sexually abused.

Statistically speaking, some of those staff, board members, rioting students, and abused boys have gone on to abuse others.

Statistically speaking, 1/4 of the women reading these stories have been sexually abused. 1/6 of the men reading these stories have been sexually abused.

Statistically speaking, a number of you reading this blog post have been sexually abused. Or will be.

We are those boys abused in a shower. We are Sandusky, the accused. And we are all Paterno. We have all, at some point, remained silent when we should have spoken; turned away, left the hard questions unasked. And we have all played a role in building an environment of shame, where it is often too difficult for those around us to be honest with their pain and struggles.

Don't mistake what I'm saying here... I am not condoning or excusing abuse. Ever. I have my own long shadow that I deal with. But I am suggesting that we can do something constructive with this shock. We can use it to propel us to love our communities in deeper, healthier ways. We can use it to foster safe spaces, and safe relationships where there is space to share our stories of shame without fear of judgement.

4 Things to do if you love a book

Let me just be transparent from the beginning, and tell you that this post is as much a reminder for me as anything.  I've done everything on this list, but haven't done everything on the list for every book I've loved.

Right now I'm working through a book I'm really enjoying.  I'm finding it well worth the price I paid and then some.  I happen to have a paper copy of the book, but my comments apply equally to e-books.

If you've loved a book:

1.  Write a review.  If you blog, blog the review and then tweet about it.  Write a review at Amazon, or one of the other online book sellers.  Make the review honest.  Make it short enough that others will read it.  Tell readers what you liked about the book.  You might think your little review doesn't matter, but it often matters very much to publishers considering offering another book deal to an author.  Book reviews add up.  If you want to support an author, then this is a great way to do it.

2.  Find a way to send a note to the author.  Don't go all Misery-stalkerish.  Just let the author know that you appreciate their work and why.  Many writers work for months (or years) on a book, mostly alone.  If you appreciate their work, this is a kindness you can do for someone who has brought you pleasure.  If the publisher is willing to forward notes (you can usually find this out with a simple email), then send a short note on real paper.  If not, most often there is a way to send an email directly to the writer.  Keep it short.  Don't expect a reply.  While it sometimes happens, this is a gift you're giving without any expectation of something in return.

3.  Buy a copy of the book.  If you read a library copy, or borrowed a copy from a friend, buy your own copy.  Don't think your one little copy will make a difference?  Again, it's all about the the cumulative effect.  It doesn't matter if you buy a hard copy or an e-copy.  Just make sure the publisher knows that you support this writer and this book.

4.  Buy a copy for a friend.  Spread the love.