Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Burundi Workshop: Day 10

Hi!

I am NDAYIHANGAJE Carmel, I was born on the 29th April in 1993 in Cibitoke commune. I am a schoolboy at “CEPBU” high school.

In my every day life, I love to make friends. I like to play at basketball too. But, I detest quarreling with friends, failing at school and any kind of oppression and exploitation.

I’m now a photojournalist and a journalist. If ever I have an opportunity to edit articles, they will focus on fighting oppression and the exploitation of children by giving them hard works that goes beyond their capacities instead of sending them to school.

Taking pictures is very exciting. Last week, I took pictures of people animals, buildings and moving cars. We have been taught also journalism and the rules that guide a journalist while reporting to avoid mistakes, which can lead him to be judged by courts.

I’ve got so much to tell you, but let me just say thank you to JAMAA association and Peace in Focus from Boston, and ask them humbly to perpetuate such actions. I call upon anyone to help them, so that they may keep on working for the benefit of children and for the world to survive.

Thank you!


Hello!

I am KWIZERA Arnauld from Nyakabiga Commune, Bujumbura city. I was born in 1994.

My passion is to watch sports at the television especially the soccer. I like to be informed about famous players and coach as well. I also like to discuss with friends because I get much information from a discussion with friends. However, I do detest quarrelling.

In my life, two period are unforgettable: the first one was the three months I spent in a hospital when I had an accident, and the second one is when I failed examinations at school for the first time. During those periods, it was as if the world was turned upside down.

As far as the workshop is concerned, I’ve spent two weeks here in JAMAA center, and I’ve gained so much knowledge about photojournalism and journalism. Our facilitators treated us like their younger brothers and sisters. Now I know to use a digital camera, and the difference between photography and photojournalism. Even though they share some similarities, photojournalism produces images that “talk” a whole story. I also appreciated the way we use Adobe Photoshop to modify a photograph. During this second week we have been acquainted with journalist union through media auto-regulation and the functions of the national council of communication. The last but not less important thing we learned is the rules we follow to write a newspaper report.

I say thank you to JAMAA and all its partners especially Peace in Focus!

Monday, October 25, 2010

Burundi Workshop: Day 9

Hi!

My name is IRAKOZE Annick, I am a resident of Sororezo a commune of Rural Bujumbura province. I’m a pupil at Nyakabiga primary school, and I’m 14 years old.

I love photography, to take a picture is the most interesting things I have ever done. Though it’s the first time I do it, I can confirm it without doubt.
Here in this workshop we are four who are still in the primary school, this means that I’m a beginner at French language, so when I’m asked to answer in that language, I often make mistakes and my colleagues laugh at me. This make me very sad.

Nowadays, thanks to GOD, we live in peace. Our commune, in the last few years was the battlefield between the rebels and the national army.

What made me happy in the workshop is simply to meet new friends.

Today I was very happy to listen to my friends who were reciting news they listened to yesterday night, as an assignment. I regretted why I didn’t came yesterday, because it was a very exciting exercise.

Goodbye, Thank you!



Greetings to everybody!

I’m IRAKOZE Yvette, I am a resident of Sororezo, Rural Bujumbura. I study at “Mutanga Sud” primary school in 6th form. I was born at Mutanga Sud.

I like to play at soccer. Myself, I’m a soccer player. But I hate so much politics because politics kills, it uses stones, bullet and fire. Politicians use the youth to kill each other. To me, politics is violence, so I don’t even wish to hear about it.

Since my childhood up to last year, we lived in war, we were often running away. However, in those days, while in fugitive camps, the government and some NGO, came to rescue us by providing us with foods, blanket and other diverse items. They were a comfort in that distress situation.
Today, Joseph trained us to conduct interview. We had sessions of interviewing each other after having learned the 15 interview techniques and performed it. Now I can say I’m a real journalist or at least a beginner in that skill.

I cannot end my message without thanking those who prepared this training, May God bless them. I beg them to do the same for other children like me and advice all the children who will read me, to be aware and avoid everything that may abstract and hinder them from going to school, school is the future.

Thank you!

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Burundi workshop: Day 8

Greetings!

I’m NTARE Robert Nesta. I live at Kinanira quarter. I’m 15 years old and study at Musaga municipal high school in 7th form.

I like to chat and laugh with friends, I’m also interested in internet. I hate however falsehood. I’m afraid of cars because I one day had an accident with it, but, the day I knew that I’ve passed the national exam every thing became new.

I’ve got three dreams in my life, the first one is to be a soccer player, the second is to be a sport journalist afterward and the last one is to do something very important so that every one in BURUNDI will always remember me even after my death.

Today, I’ve learned interview techniques, how to conduct an interview and behave in front of my interlocutor.

Peace in Focus and JAMAA have done something worthwhile by virtue of the fact that there are many men who wish to be photojournalist or journalist but lack such chances. I’ve realized that to be a journalist requires a lot of courage. One must give up laziness to get a good picture at the right moment.

Thank you to Peace in Focus and JAMAA for what you do for the benefit of children.


Hello!

My name is IGIRANEZA Maryse, my home is Bwiza Commune, I have 17 years of the age, I study at “Avenir” high school in 5th form, but now I’m admitted in 4th form.
I love to live good among my neighbors, I feel good when I see friends smiling.
I am an orphan, my father and mother died so long ago, when I was still a little girl. To loose my parent is the worst thing that has ever happen to me. But, despite the fact that I have no one on my own, I’m still alive and happy, thanks to God. I don’t complain at all, I live in family that take care enough of me, it does its best at least.

The workshop we attend is very beneficial for me, today we’ve been taught the three kinds of medias and their similarities and differences as far as writing a report is concerned. However I’m still confused about which one to choose and engage. Normally I was interested in audiovisual, but here we focus more on the written press.

Let me say thanks to the members of Peace in Focus who had this wonderful idea because, we people from BURUNDI are willing to do wonderful things but lack sufficient means. For instance, it was my first time to touch a camera. Hence, I’m very grateful to Peace in Focus and JAMAA, cause not only I have touched it but I also know to use it.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Burundi Workshop: Day 7

Hello!

My name is BUKURU David. I’m a schoolboy at Saint Gabriel high school, and a resident of Ngagara commune in Bujumbura city. I’m 16 years of the age.

I like to play at ping-pong so much so that I can’t spend a whole week without playing at it. But, I hate people who keep quiet so much. Normally, I’m always happy save perhaps, when I fail to do something important. I don’t have much things to say about me because I’m a simple boy like others, nothing special that distinguishes me from others except that I’m a tall guy and have a strong desire of becoming the president of the republic of Burundi, if GOD wishes indeed.

We’ve been taught so many new things, but the one I will never forget is how to take a photograph. Today, Richard taught us the treatment of information.

I’m extremely grateful to all the facilitators for their help. My special thanks go to Peace in Focus and JAMAA members in general because we’ve gained some useful skills from the workshop, which can help in their turn to gain our daily bread.

Thanks!


Hello!

My name is MUKESHIMANA Sabrina. I live at Ngagara commune. I’m 17 years old and I study at Saint Albert high school in 3rd form art.

I’m fond of watching television and reading books. When I’m tired, I go to visit friends and chat with them. I equally like to visit sick people in hospitals and going to church. My passion is traveling, though I’m broke. I hate however, wicked people and those who quarrel every time.

I would like to be a journalist, a historian or psychologist. In brief, I want to have much knowledge.

In JAMAA center, I appreciate the way people are welcoming and the way we are taught. The only thing that is still troubling is that a few people are not punctual, and cameras are not sufficient in number. It would be great to have one camera per each participant.

Yesterday, we learned the deontic code, which expresses the duties and rights of
journalist and how to collect information.

I’d like to thank GOD, our facilitators and JAMAA association in general.

Thank you!

Friday, October 22, 2010

Burundi Workshop: Day 6

Hello!

My name is NDIKUMANA Igor, I’ve got 16 years of the age, I live at Mutakura in Cibitoke commune on the 7th avenue. I’m a pupil at the technology school known as ETEC.

I like to play at soccer, I used to play in Meridian soccer team. But the more I advance in studies the less free time I have, and this obliged me to stop soccer and concentrate on my studies. Now, after school, I’m often busy dancing at the dancing club because I’m also fond of music. I belong to a dancing club known as Strong Wind. I hate, however, injustice and pride.

Today, Eric taught us confraternity and other points included in the ethical code of photojournalism. There is another significant issue we tackled, that is to prepare the material before going to make a report.

I’d like to thank JAMAA and Peace in Focus in general and Eric, Richard, Ciza, Kazadi, Claude, and Joseph in particular for what they do for us and ask them to do the same for other children.

Thank you very much, may God bless you.



Hello!

My name is Raissa NDAYISHIMIYE, I’m a pupil at CMN college in 5th form. I’m a resident of Rohero on Bututsi Avenue.

In my life, I like to help hopeless persons. My dream is to become one day a famous movie star. I do hate liars, injustice doers and vengeful people. I’m an orphan, and every time I see children with their parents I immediately remember mine, I lost them when I was still a little girl.

I like journalism, but I wish I could be the president of our republic in other to restore justice in this country and help other orphans like me.

This is the first time I attend such a workshop. Everything goes well so far, I’m now able to take a good picture using the basics we were taught. For instance, I know how to reduce and increase the amount of light that enters the camera. In few words I know to paint with light, as the definition of photography is.

Today we’ve learned the relation between a journalist and his boss as well as the duties and rights of a journalist.

Let me end my story by giving thanks and praises to Peace In Focus, which help organize this workshop.

Thanks!

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Burundi Workshop: Day 5

Hello everyone!

I am HABIMANA Ninette, I am 17 years of the age; I was born in 1993 the 1st of July, it was on the independence memorial day. I study at Bwiza Commune College in 4th form.

I like to study, because my dream is to become a cultivated journalist. I equally enjoy reading, watching T.V., listen to nice music and doing sports as well. Another thing I love is cooking. I detest sloth in my life, sitting there without doing any thing is very boring.

Yesterday we had an excursion and took photos; today, we commented on them. Now I feel like I’m a photojournalist and prove to be one as you can realize it yourself from my photos. We have been taught some photography basics and how to read an image etc.

I appreciated our facilitators and I’m glad I’ve found new friends from other neighborhoods. We made several practice and play games together we and I have realized that though we came from different parts, we are the same.

Let me give thanks and praises first of all to the highest God of my salvation who gave me life. Second, to my parents who allowed me to take part in this workshop, finally and specially to the president of JAMAA Eric NSENGIYUMVA.

“I wish long life to JAMAA and Peace in Focus!”

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Burundi Workshop: Day 4

Hello!

My name is NDUWIMANA Jean Marie; I live at Kamenge commune in Bujumbura city. I am sixteen years old; I study at Gasenyi primary school.

I like karate and soccer because they teach to discipline yourself. My soccer team is known under the name of Miracle football and I ‘m a striker.

I don’t like to be hurt by someone as I dislike hurting someone and that the reason why enjoy to entertain my friends with interesting and amusing stories whenever they look sad to comfort them.

2003 is an unforgettable year to me, I spent 8 months in hospital, my arm was broken when we were running away from war. I suffered severely that fracture for so long so that I even thought God has forsaken me or does not simply exist.

I really love Association JAMAA, I was worried and confused because I didn’t know where to find money to buy copybooks and cloths for school, since I fail the national examination. However, Jamma not only provided me with them but it is also training me and teaching a craft.

Since Monday we have learned many things about photojournalism and today we’ve made an excursion and took as many photo as we wish, photos of buildings, houses roads garbage to name but a few. I was so much excited by the Mother Mary statuette photo I took.

Your photojournalist, Jean Marie.

I love Peace in Focus and JAMAA so much. Thank you!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Burundi Workshop: Day 3

Hello!

My Name is NDAYISENGA Landrine; I am a young lady from Bwiza Commune, Bujumbura city. I study at Ecole de l’Unité (Unity high school) and I’m seventeen years old.

I feel so bad when someone does not recognize or is indifferent to the good I do for him, and I hate people who exploit others, those who treat a person as an opportunity to gain an advantage for themselves. Here, I’d like to talk about the case of our country; innocent blood is always shed, the police starts investigations but to no outcome.

I was very happy when I knew that my name is written on list of those who were going to be trained in photojournalism, because I really like to take pictures. The striking thing we saw today is the stereotype, how, using Photoshop one can manipulate and modify a photo as you wish. Now am able to distinguish an authentic beauty on a photo from a stereotype while reading a magazine for example.

The only thing that made trouble for me is when a facilitator intervenes to help or correct another. It becomes hard to follow two people at the same time. We have been told that someone named Kate from Boston is the one who helped to organize this work shop, thank you to her an JAMAA. Peace!

Monday, October 18, 2010

Burundi Workshop: Day 2

Hello!

I am KAMANGO Ally, I live at Jabe quarter n°234, and I’m sixteen years old. The school I attend is near home, and is called COMIBU High school. I’m fond of soccer; I play in Olympique De Prince Soccer team.

There is a thing that always excites me, that is to see people from different ethnic groups marry or just fall in love each other. However, I dislike to see people doing injustice to others especially when its an older person who oppresses a younger one or a stronger people ill treating a weak one.

Today, we have been taught many new things, such as how to use the display to shut down the screen in order to keep the battery charged a long time. I do know that we use the aperture to increase or decrease the amount of light that enter in the camera. The games we played were very interesting and amusing, we played at knot game and soleil (sun) game.

One more thing I’d like to say is, thank you to JAMAA and its partners for organizing such a workshop, I think that photojournalism can help one to gain his daily bread. I have nothing to give you but I wish u success and I pray GOD to help you in all your endeavors.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Burundi Workshop: Day 1

Hello!

My name is NIYONSABA Evelyne, I live at Cibitoke quarter, Bujumbura. I am 15 years old and I study in the 5th form at Mutakura secondary school. I like to help people, make charity actions for sufferers especially those who suffer from diseases. My passion is traveling; though I’ve never traveled abroad I have a strong desire of doing so whenever I may get an opportunity.

Currently, my hobby is traditional dance, I can say I’ve grown in that culture since childhood, so whenever I get a free time I often go to the dancing club. I’m always happy the only sad period of my life was when in primary school, a man came and throw to us a grenade, fortunately I didn’t die but I was severely wounded.

Today, I’ve learned so many new things about photography. We’ve been told for instance, photography began in the 19th century and its brief historical background was narrated to us. Now I know for example how to hold a camera to avoid any misfortune that can happen and break it, I equally know some photo ideas and some other element of photography. I admired the way we were treated in this workshop, we had tea and a nice dinner, I don’t complain at all. The only things that made me sweat was the afternoon work, I would like to work before noon only, if Richard and Huguette were not there for games I think I couldn’t hold on until 4 PM. I end up my message saying that today’s program was great and hope it will remain so the whole week.

Thanks!

August Workshop in Burundi

Association Jamaa, supported by Peace in Focus in Boston, held a peace photojournalism workshop for Burundian youth between August 9 to August 20, 2010. Sixteen young people from different backgrounds participated in the training.

The students learned how to use a camera, including manual features such as ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. In addition to learning how to take pictures themselves, the participants discussed images in the media. They talked about local journalism, media regulation and self-censorship, and common stereotypes in the media. They learned how to conduct an interview, collect information, and write a report. Students practiced documenting their communities with three excursions to Northern, Western, and Central Bujumbura. Due to a militia threat from Somalia’s Al Shabbab, the students were unable to photograph city center and public places during the workshop.

Peace in Focus congratulates Association Jamaa on successfully and independently replicating the peace photojournalism model in this workshop. A special thanks goes to Joseph Mukozi for translating the participants’ blog entries from Kirundi to English.

Announcing: October Photo Contest Winner

Announcing the winner of October's photo competition! The theme was "Where do you find peace?"





Congratulations to
Icy Bradley on her photograph entitled "Peace in Nature."



The Honorable Mention goes to
Heather Taylor for her photo essay on peace.



Don't forget to submit a photograph, along with title and caption, to peaceinfocus@gmail.com. This month's theme (deadline of November 1st) is "What is your dream for the future?" Looking forward to seeing your photos!