“I thought my life was over. I couldn’t believe this was what my life had become.”

The NYC branch of SalaamGarage, a team of photographers, videographers and journalists dedicated to bringing forth positive social change, has spent the better part of a year documenting the lives of those who have graduated the foster care system at 21 ill-prepared for what lies ahead. Headed by SG founder Amanda Koster, and led by SG Local NYC Maggie Soladay and team, the group aims to raise public awareness for their cause, and has launched a Kickstarter campaign to complete funding for a book an exhibition for the project “Aging-Out of Foster Care.”

The book, titled “Everybody Needs Somebody” is a compilation of 15 stories and photographs of those who have aged out of the system. The exhibition will take place at The Long Island Children’s Museum from June 16th, 2012 – September 2nd, 2012.

For more information on the Kickstarter project, or to make a donation, click here.
To read more on SalaamGarage Local NYC and the beginnings of the “Aging-Out of Foster Care” project, click here.

We’re having our first Meetup for 2012. We’ve invited “Freedom” – Visionary activist, citizen journalist, environmentalist, mother and yogini. As she says on her website Occupyfreedomla.org ~ FREEDOM: CITIZEN JOURNALIST “Bringing you the uncut story from the front lines of The Evolution”We’re evolving rapidly these days whether it’s technology or how we tell and share stories. We’ve asked Freedom to talk about her experience at the crossroads of so many of today’s powerful narratives.

We want to know more about the fracturing of trees and communities in the Amazon as well as the latest from a General Assembly near you.volution”

I, Eduardo will be hosting the Meetup and am organizing a trip to Ecuador in August to document The Crying Forest. – Share this story below –>

Al Jazeera’s Gabriel Elizondo follows the story of an activist who lived and died for the Amazon Rainforest:  video

When: Friday, February 24, 2012, 7:00 PM
Where: BottleRock 1050 South Flower Street, Los Angeles, CA (map)
RVSP Here and let us know you are coming out!

Gracias,
Eduardo

We’re getting 2012 underway with our second Meetup dedicated to Aging Out of Foster Care, it’s going to be a bright year and an incredible project!  We’re excited to tell everyone the scoop on moving forward; we’ve good news about opportunities to work with Seattle’s inspiring and proactive Mockingbird Society, plus planning our next steps setting Aging Out of Foster Care into action.  We’re in awe of all the progress we’ve seen come from the New York chapter and bolstered by our already gaining support in Seattle.

When: Monday, January 23, 2012, 7:00 PM
Where: Susan’s House, 1843 41st Ave E, Seattle, WA

Amanda will share the results of an amazing late December meeting with the executive Director of Mockingbird Society, our possible 1 and only partner for this project!

I hope to see everyone Monday evening at 7pm and to continue the fantastic discussion we started last go-around.  Please complete the application on the SG Local website and check out the Mockingbird Society, they’re an impressive bunch!

Light fare and beverages will be provided by our lovely hosts, please be sure to RSVP to the Meetup so we can plan some munchies for you!

Thanks all and see you Monday!
Steph and Amanda

We’ll be introducing our first project, Aging Out of Foster Care, it’s success in NYC (huge!) as well as our plans to launch ‘Aging Out’ in Seattle.

When: Monday, 12/5/11, 7-9pm
Click here for Meetup info and to RSVP

Anyone interested in photographing stories, writing, organizing, writing, social media gurus, interested people, supporting and producing ‘Aging Out’ … is welcome, we can’t wait to meet you!

This is a professional project, please be aware that we’ll be focusing our efforts on working with professional photographers, writers, organizers, social media-junkies, leaders.  Also, this is volunteer work for an incredible cause and stories worth telling — and get out into the world!

You can read more about the stories coming out of the talent in NYC here:
http://www.local.salaamgarage.com/

and here:
http://www.pdnonline.com/pdn/photoserve/SGLocal-NYC-Launches-3544.shtml

There will be light munchies available. We can’t wait to see you there!

Amanda Koster and Steph Hansen

“We’ve been very impressed by Amanda’s talks at conference such as TEDX Seattle, Web 2.0, and Gnomedex.  The most challenging part of talking about humanitarian work is making the suffering of people who live far away, that the audience will never meet, relevant and personal.  When we saw Amanda successfully raise $2600 for fistula surgeries in Ethiopia with a five minute talk at Ignite Seattle, we knew we had to get  her more opportunities to share her work.”

Amanda Koster’s bio is now available on our website including a description of her talk and quotes from people who’ve presented her as a speaker.  If you know of a lecture series, conference, company, artist in residency, or school that could benefit from her inspiration and expertise, please contact us at info@samaralectures.com.

Ecuadorian TRAVEL VISA

Ecuador does not require a travel visa unless you plan on staying longer than 90 days.  If you are extending your trip on your own, you can obtain a travel visa in Ecuador.

IMMUNIZATIONS

Plan ahead for getting your vaccinations: some of them require more than one injection, while some should not be given together.  You should see a travel doctor six weeks prior to departure.
Ecuador requires no immunizations to enter the country, however, due to the remote nature of our destination, there are several immunizations you should consider.  These include Malaria, Yellow Fever, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Tetanus, and Hepatitis B. Malaria is a concern for travel in the Amazon basin and parts of the far northern coast.  However, you should ask for advice from the doctor.  If you haven’t had your Measles/Mumps/Rubella shot since you were a child, your doctor will suggest it.  Let your doctor help you decide based on your length of stay and our planned destinations in Ecuador.

MONEY

The currency in Ecuador is the US dollar. Cash and travelers’ checks are readily accepted and can be exchanged at the airport, exchange houses or any banks when you arrive in Quito.  It is important to examine your US dollars before arriving in Ecuador.  Bills must be in good condition or banks and exchange houses will not accept them.  Avoid bringing bills with small tears, writing or heavily worn bills.  Traveler’s checks are exchanged at a lower rate than cash and a commission can be charged.  ATMs are readily available in most of the cities we will visit.

All participants should carry a money belt for carrying valuables such as cash, air tickets, passports and credit cards.

While in Ecuador, you will be responsible for:

Your own meals in Quito, where you can expect to pay around $5.00 to $10.00 a meal.

International airport departure tax, which is $25.00.

Tips and gratuities: This is a very delicate matter for us, throughout the years we have been often asked what gratuity would be appropriate to leave for the guides. It is our recommendation that the quality of service should determinate the extend of any gratuity for example if the service received has been excellent, a suggestion of US$ 40 per person for whole trip is considered appropriate. Please take note that this is  a suggestion: tipping and gratuities are very personal.

Personal items such as laundry, phone calls, emails and snacks.

PDN and PhotoServe.com are always on the lookout for excellent storytellers and thrilled to offer a package allowing members of SalaamGarage to feature their projects.  Join the most exclusive professional photography community and take advantage of a discounted package which includes a PDN subscription, portfolio on PhotoServe.com and discounts on photography contests and with participating vendors.  PhotoServe actively supports our members through editorial and news pieces written on behalf of our members and included in our monthly newsletter to over 15,000 creatives, industry events, print and direct mail marketing, and through social media outlets. Discounted rate: $635 paid in full / $660 paid in quarterly installments

For more information or to purchase this value-added membership, contact:

Kristie Nilsson - knilsson@pdnonline.com - (646) 654-5812

PRE-DEPARTURE: MASTER CHECKLIST

• valid passport
• one other picture ID (driver’s license)
• plane ticket (use our parter: )
• emergency information
• travel insurance
• recommended inoculations
• currency, and credit cards, travelers checks (we don’t recommend using these, they can be a pain in many countries)
• two photocopies of passport, credit cards, tickets, and insurance (we suggest emailing a copy of these things to an ex. gmail account so you can access at any internet cafe in the world)

HOME CHECKLIST

• stop deliveries
• have post office hold mail
• set up timed lighting
• arrange for care of pets
• leave house and trip itinerary with a neighbor
• turn off water heater
• turn down thermostat
• lock all windows
• leave copy of passport and itinerary with family or friends

CAMPING GEAR

(*specific to certain trips, ask when you sign up)
• sleeping sheet or sack.- or very light bag
• ground pad

CLOTHING

• hiking boots/or cross boots (*specific to certain trips, ask when you sign up)
• sanals
• two pairs of heavier socks
• two sock liners
• three light weight pair of pants for the rainforest and the Cloud forest with three long sleeved light weight shirt.  (men-shorts)
• mid weight long sleeve shirt
• two light weight shirts
• warm jacket or rain/wind coat
• underwear 3-5 pairs
• warm hat
• swimsuit
• sun hat

OTHER GEAR

• Day pack
• large pack to carry ALL your gear (*specific to certain trips, ask when you sign up)
• two one liter water bottles
• headlamp/flashlight/extra batteries
• pocket knife (NOT in your carry on)
• towel
• alarm clock
• money belt to carry cash, credit cards, passport, and tickets
• camera/film/extra batteries
• travel journal pen/pencil
• book
• ziplock baggies, dry bags, etc.
• water filter or iodine tabs
• sunglasses
• small binoculars
• extra snacks for between meals
• a cord to dry clothes on
• mosquito netting (if bugs bother you)

FIRST AID KIT

• Iodine tablets
• aspirin or pain reliever
• pepto bismal tablets
• band aids
• moleskin and/or second skin for blisters
• diarrhea medication such as Loparamide or Imodium
• antibiotics from your doctor
• antibiotic cream
• insect repellent
• sunscreen
• sunburn relief like Aloe Vera
• Lip Protection
• Oral Re-hydration powder
• Talcum powder
• vitamins
• other personal medications

TOILETRIES

Remember to keep it simple, lightweight and environmentally responsible.  If washing in the streams, always use biodegradable soaps and detergents. Below is a list of items you might choose to bring.

• biodegradable soap for washing and laundry
• toothbrush and toothpaste
• dental floss
• skin care products
• toilet paper in a plastic bag with a lighter
• deodorant
• razor
• comb/brush
• small mirror
• hand wipes

WATER FILTRATION

SalaamGarage requires that all participants be prepared to filter their own water. We do this to avoid creating a trail of plastic water bottles everywhere we go. It also ensures the safety and supply of your water. Be sure to bring two water bottles with you also. No water is considered safe to drink on this program unless you have filtered it or it has been boiled.

Giardia lamblia. Cryptosporidium. Campylobacter jejuni. Hepatitis A. All are members of an invisible fluvial zoo that may be present in developing country water.

How do they get there? When water becomes tainted by animal or human feces. What impact could such microbes have? They can leave you reeling with diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, weight loss and fatigue. How long might these symptoms last? Between 4 and 6 weeks. Maybe longer. Ugh.

Portable water filters and purifiers both operate on the same mechanical principle. Using a hand pump and intake hose, both slurp up “raw” water from a lake or stream and force it through an internal element (a filtering “medium”). This medium traps suspended elements — from fine sediment to invisible microorganisms—before dispensing clean water into a container of your choice.

What’s the difference between a filter and a purifer?

Water filter—A microbiological device that removes bacteria (e.g., Campylobacter jejuni) and protozoan cysts (Giardia lamblia, cryptosporidium) from contaminated water.

Water purifier—A microbiological device that removes bacteria, protozoan cysts and viruses (e.g., hepatitis A) from contaminated water

For your purposes its best to talk to the sales agent and tell them you intend to use this for water in a developing country.

Note: Pregnant women and people with thyroid conditions often have adverse reactions to iodine. Consult a physician before selecting a purifier.

What to look for:

• Easy to pump
• Simple to use
• Capable of sustaining a steady, generous flow
• Effective against waterborne pathogens
• Slow to clog, easy to clean
• Long-lasting

How can you tell if a filter or purifier delivers in these areas? Look for clues in the specification chart that accompanies each product description.

The women’s names have been changed to protect their privacy. Many thanks to Ruth Gadissa, Senior Nurse at the Hamlin Fistula Hospital, who was my translator.

LIFE DISRUPTED AND THE RETURN TO NORMAL
“MY STORY” as told to Veronica M. Gray

My name is Alemtsehay Mamo. I am 19 years old. Yesterday, I was operated on for the third time in three years.  I suffer from obstetric fistula and complications from my first pregnancy.

I was born in Shwa Deira, Ethiopia.  Until I was 13 years old, I lived with my parents and 4 brothers and 4 sisters.  I attended school in my village.  I was learning English and taking science courses because I wanted to become a nurse and help people.  I still do.

At the age of 13 years old I was introduced to my husband who is 10 years older.  We soon married and I left my family to live with my husband, his parents, and his 7 brothers, and 3 sisters.  Before I became pregnant, I worked on my family’s farm, growing tomatoes.

I was 16 when I first became pregnant.  There was nothing unusual about my pregnancy until it was time to give birth.  My mother was with me when I went into labor.  This is typical in my world to only have our mothers assist us in giving birth – without the assistance of a doctor or midwife because any clinic or hospital is too far away.  As my labor continued hour after hour – day after day – the pain became unbearable. I thought I would and in fact wanted to die.  My parents were beside themselves because they could not help me.  They then took me to the medical clinic which was a 3 hour walk from our village.   When we arrived at the clinic, my condition was so bad that no one there could help me.  Somehow, my father arranged to have me taken to Black Lion Hospital in Addis Ababa.  On the 4th day of labor they pulled the baby with forceps from my body.  My baby had died during our journey to get help.  I was so very sad.  I cried and cried.

My heart ached for my baby; I did not know what to do.  And, I was still in so much pain.  The next day, I realized that there was something very wrong.  I was leaking feces and urine down my legs.  I did not understand and was frightened.  The smell was awful.  It was humiliating – I just wanted to die.  Then the doctor told me about the Hamlin Fistula Hospital.  My father and brother took me to Hamlin but when we arrived they told me they could not help me for at least 3 months in order to give my body time to heal.  I was so upset but had no choice but to return to my village.  I was so ashamed of my leaking and cried all the time.  I did not understand why this had happened to me.  I wanted to commit suicide.  My family was also shocked and did not understand.  My sisters had given birth to healthy babies.  I couldn’t help asking “what had I done to deserve this? – why was this happening to me?”  Although my family, my husband, and my village embraced me with their love – I was very sad and lonely – not knowing how long I would continue leaking.  As a result of the leaking and not being able to move freely – I developed foot drop – my legs would not hold up body.

After 3 months I returned to the Hamlin Fistula Hospital and was operated on.  I stayed at the hospital for several weeks and met other young women with obstetric fistula.  What a relief to know that there were others like me and I was not the only one.   I made friends at the hospital.  We would talk and laugh and walk through the gardens sharing secrets and our shame.  It was as if I had many sisters all at once.  Although the fistula operation was successful, my injuries were greater than anyone had realized – my bladder was still leaking urine.  After several weeks, I returned to my village to live with my parents.  With my father’s encouragement I returned to school.

Several months later I returned to Hamlin to have my second operation to stop the leaking.  Although it was successful, there was still more to cure.  I was still leaking.  I returned home and told my husband that I was still leaking urine and could not work on the farm.  I told him that he should find someone else and remarry.  I simply could not go back and live with him.  It was too humiliating.  I also felt uncomfortable living in my village so I returned to Addis Ababa.  I am renting an apartment with 2 of the women I met at Hamlin.  I was very lucky to have these new friends to live with and to find work washing clothes.  I am also going to school at night so I can become a nurse.

I have just recovered from my third operation and I am no longer leaking.  I am back at work and going to school. I am so grateful to the doctors and nurses at Hamlin and to all the friends I made there.  I hope that other women do not experience what I did.  My mission is to tell all women that they need to see a doctor when they become pregnant so they can give birth at a hospital and avoid what happened to me and if they leak as I did – the Hamlin Fistula Hospital is there for them and they do not have to pay.  It is free.

____________________________

My name is Engocha Marefia. I am 20 years old. I am a patient at the Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  I am recovering from my second operation as a result of giving birth to a still born baby.  I only hope and pray that the leaking has stopped now.

I was born in Feres Moga Georgis and now live in Assossa Iwollega – which is in northern Ethiopia, near the Sudan border.  My mother died when I was 10 year old.  My father remarried but I did not live with him growing up.  I have one brother and 3 half brothers.  But I did not live with my father growing up – I lived with neighbors/my friend’s family.  I never thought about gong to school but worked simply to survive.

I was lucky and was introduced to my future husband.  I feel in love with him and we married.   He was 22 years old and good looking as I.  At 18, I became pregnant and did not have any problems until I went into labor.  I was at home and the neighbors tried to help.  The pain was unbearable.  We went to the nearest clinic but it was unable to help me.   We then spent all our money and rented a car to go to the nearest hospital several hours away but it was too late.  My baby did not survive.  I spent many days in the hospital and realized I was uncontrollably leaking – feces and urine – and could not do anything about it.  I felt very disconnected and disoriented and so ashamed.  No one said anything to me about the leaking and I was too afraid to ask.
The doctors all seemed too busy and I did not want to bother them.  After 10 days, I returned home.  I cried every day.  I did not know what to do.  The pain was overwhelming and ran through every inch of my body and the leaking continued.  I was unable to take care of myself.  My husband and neighbors had to help me do everything.  I worried everyday about what was going to happen to me.  I prayed to God to help me.  Then one day,  someone told me about the Hamlin Fistula Hospital.  After traveling many days, I arrived there in early 2010.  I had my first operation and it helped a lot but I was still leaking urine.  I returned to live with my husband but could not do very much.  I tried using pads but it was very uncomfortable.  I had to wait 6 months before I could return to Hamlin for my second operation.  I now lie in bed knitting and waiting to see if the leaking has stopped.  If it hasn’t, I do not want to return to my husband.  I am too embarrassed.  The nurses at Hamlin encourage me to return to my husband.

I am so grateful for Hamlin and all the love, care, and friendship they have given me.  I do not know what I would have done without them.  I now know how important it is to have medical care.

CALL TO ACTION

Obstetric fistula is one the most devastating and serious of all childbirth injuries.  It is an internal injury caused generally by days of unrelieved obstructed labor.  During labor contractions, the baby’s head is constantly pushing against the mother’s pelvic bone – causing tissue to die due to lack of blood flow to this area.  The pushing creates a hole (a fistula) between the birth passage and internal organs such as the bladder or rectum. The result is that urine and bowel content cannot be held.  Fistula is preventable when timely emergency obstetric care such as a cesarean section surgery is available. Unfortunately in the world’s poorest countries, most mothers as Alemtsehay and Engocha live in rural areas and delivering their babies without medical help.

The Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia provides free fistula repair surgery to approximately 2,500 women every year and cares for 50 long term patients.  The Hospital also has five mini-hospitals planned, of which three are already functioning and two are in the planning/construction phase. A more recent project is the establishment of a midwifery school to train midwives who will work in rural areas to help prevent fistula from occurring.
You can give a young woman a new life – the gift of dignity is priceless!
Hamlin Fistula Hospital and Hamlin Midwifery College Needs:

• $500 covers the cost of a fistula operation
• $3000 covers the cost of  1 Student for 1 year at the Midwifery College
• $8 buys a blanket for a new patient
• $4.50 buys a nurse uniform
• $2 buys plastic slippers for patients without shoes

For your donation (any amount) click here to reach USA Hamlin Fistula Fund.
____________________________

VERONICA GRAY

Veronica is a prominent trial lawyer at Nossaman Law Firm in Orange County, California, with over three decades of experience litigating and negotiating employment issues for her clients. She leads the Employment Practice Group.

Over the span of Veronica’s career, she has taken on a leadership role in many professional and philanthropic organizations on a local and international level, with a focus on micro-enterprise and children’s education.

Veronica is also a passionate photographer, and her remote travel has allowed her to capture the striking close-up images of the indigenous people she interacts with in places like Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, India, China, Kenya, Ecuador, Peru, and Nicaragua. What started out as herprivate passion turned into an opportunity to share them with those in her community who would not otherwise have access to remote areas of the world. Veronica has donated her photography to many non-profits to support their fund raising efforts, and her photography has been on exhibition at the Chapman University School of Law and the Peter Blake Gallery in Orange County, and in Orange Coast Magazine.

NGOS:

“For Agros International as an development organization, partnering with SalaamGarage did require a significant commitment, fortunately the return-on-investment is more than significant.  The process for us was highly collaborative and informative.  Agros already has a program for connecting partners with the people we work with in Latin America, integrating SalaamGarage’s unique approach to citizen journalism into our model was interesting and yet we found them [the citizen journalists] to be willing and adaptable, open to our insights, as well as insightful with their perspectives.   Even with the collaborative trip behind us, it seems the journey has only just begun as we celebrate the creative, professional, and compelling results and look forward to further sharing of the Agros story via the work and art of the SalaamGarage partner/participants.  To any NGO on the fence about a potential collaboration, if the bandwidth is available, I highly recommend partnering with SalaamGarage without reservation.”
Nathan Hawkins, Service Team Program Manager: Agros International

“It was particularly impressive to observe how Amanda [SalaamGarage founder and leader] demonstrated a natural respect, acceptance and understanding of an entirely new world, so different than that of hers in the West.  All the time that they were  here, it never occurred to any of us that there were outsiders in the premises. As they moved about and interacted with staff, they conducted themselves so easily with the women we work with, and children who live with us.  That was very impressive.

To me, the most unique aspect of the work that SalaamGarage is doing through photography [and media] is how they have transformed a skill into a mission to address such larger and deeper issues of our world.  SalaamGarage going to different countries to find out where the need is and how they can contribute in fulfilling those needs is a remarkable mission. Their ability to invest with a long-term vision in mind, the empathy with which they think and operate and her [the leaders] amazing quality of listening touched and impressed everyone at Vatsalya.”
Jaimala Gupta, Executive director and founder: Vatsalya

“When I was working with NGOs overseas we had some photographers come out to visit our projects, but it always seemed that their visit could have made a lot more impact both in-country and back in the USA. But what’s different with the concept of SalaamGarage, is now the combination of messages and images have the chance to resonate with a much wider audience and bring attention to underserved populations around the world.”
Adam Sirois, Coordinator of the Office of Global Health at the New York University College of Nursing / Former Country Director, International Medical Corps

PAST TRAVELERS:

(from Amanda Koster’s blog, while leading the SalaamGarage trip to Vietnam 1/2010)

dong ha, vietnam.
where i am sitting there ‘was’ a war going on.

the soil is very red here. it has a hi iron content. there are bombs in this soil. explosives which are still killing people, maiming people, blinding people, etc. people who have/had nothing to do with any conflict between north and south vietnam, or the united states or anything. kids who went out to play, thought a ‘bombie’ (cluster bomb) was a toy and kicked it. they may loose their site, legs and arms while their friends die right beside them. this is how it happens.

today i interviewed and photographed a few landmine survivors and victims (there is a difference here).

i am meeting these folks, seeing these places, learning about how things are now, post war. things are good and bad.

yesterday, january 15 quang li told me 14 people have died this year in quang tri province from explosives.

blair (exec. director of peacetrees vietnam) said it will take over 200 years to clear all the explosives in the soil in vietnam. over 200 years. 200 years. how long will this war last exactly?

besides iron i imagine there is a lot of blood as well. the soil here is very red here.

(By Conrad Chavez) I visited India as part of the first SalaamGarage team, which visited Vatsalya in 2007. I was impressed to discover that Vatsalya does not merely rescue street orphans, but is a caring community that transforms them into educated, productive persons with job skills. On our pilot trip, each of us was encouraged to interact with the community in a way consistent with our skills and abilities. I photographed the children, their classrooms and activities, and the work of the dedicated staff. Back home, our trip team mounted photo exhibits about our visit to raise awareness of the work of Vatsalya, and to help jump-start more SalaamGarage trips.

Current SalaamGarage teams commit to developing more specific projects with the organizations they visit, and I also felt I could do more than just show pictures. So I kept my eye open for a future opportunity to help Vatsalya. In 2011 Vatsalya announced a project to fund the building of a new, expanded school. I thought that the new school’s fundraising campaign could benefit greatly from having a visible, accessible presence like we often see in US fundraising projects.

The Facebook page created for Vatsalya by Caroline Poiner pointed the way, reminding me that we can use our experience with cutting-edge social media to support the goals of organizations in developing countries who may not yet be aware of the latest online opportunities. I proposed creating a web page specifically to promote the new school and that would also provide a way to donate in just a few clicks, which is how so many of us in developed countries now prefer to shop, pay bills, and donate to charity. I hoped that Vatsalya could direct potential donors all over the world to such a page, and that it would have an easy “Donate” button on it. Vatsalya director Jaimala Gupta connected me with the US fundraising organization Edge of Seven, which guided me to the online service they use for instant Web donations (crowdrise.com). I then created a fundraising page (bit.ly/vNewSchool), telling the story of the new school project in text and photographs.

Why did I choose this particular project? I saw an opportunity to fill a need, and realized that a relatively small investment of my time could bring significant benefits to the new school project. I am happy with the results: Vatsalya is able to to raise worldwide awareness of the project by frequently linking to the page from sites such as Facebook, and four weeks after the launch of the donation page, online donors have contributed over $2200 with several more weeks of fundraising still to go. Please consider donating to this important project; visit crowdrise.com/VatsalyaNewSchool or bit.ly/vNewSchool.

To see my photo essay of Vatsalya Udayan from the 2007 trip, please visit conradchavez.com/udayan.

Come back with us to Vatsalya this fall! SalaamGarage is returning to India, and Vatsalya: click here for more info.

Interview by: Sabrina Messineo: organizer + SalaamGarage Blurb Books for Good Liaison
(Below are images from Eduardo’s trip to India with SalaamGarage in 2009)

Q: Who is Eduardo Sciammarella?

A: An innovator. My family is from Argentina where there is a strong intellectual tradition. New ideas surrounded me constantly. I am captivated by things that are new while being inspired to preserve the things that are old and real.

I am the founder and CEO of 2 companies: designing better interfaces: www.protohaus.com, designing a better planet: www.gathergreen.com

I am also the leader of SalaamGarage’s upcoming trip to Peru, June 29-July 10

Q: How did you first become involved with SalaamGarage?

A: I met Amanda Koster, founder of SalaamGarage, at a Microsoft conference where she was presenting. I decided to get involved with SalaamGarage because I have always dreamed of being a photojournalist. A few years back I was going through a lot of transitions in my life and I wanted to return to India to document what I had remembered from living there as a child. The SG team, my fellow citizen journalists, and the people at the NGO – all had a profound impact on me – giving me a renewed energy and vigor in my life. I knew then that I wanted to surround myself as much as possible with people doing good.

Q: Having the opportunity to be involved in so many creative projects, how do you decide where to focus your energy and how does that translate into the SalaamGarage Peru trip?

A: I love photography. I’ve been shooting since I was in high school and it is the first thing that I remember being good at. Before that I was just a kid having fun. Photography is a way of reflecting. Because photographers seek beauty, photography reflects beauty. With regards to citizen journalism, it’s important to see what’s happening in the global village. It’s important to listen to stories told by friends and family rather than getting information from the news. On this trip we collaborate with The Mountain Institute. The SalaamGarage trip to Peru will focus on the story of how climate change is affecting mountain communities.

Q: Why are you excited about the SalaamGarge Peru trip?

A: I’m excited to be leading this trip because the people that are feeling the immediate impact of climate change – like the communities in the Andes – have the knowledge we need to repair our communities and live a more sustainable life. It’s our actions that have put them in danger of loosing their livelihoods and it’s their knowledge that will help us repair the Earth.

Q: How would you describe a good leader and what makes you a good leader for the SalaamGarage Peru trip?

A: Being a good leader is motivating people to overcome challenges that they see. Overcoming challenges requires resiliency and passion. Without passion you loose direction. People have an easy time finding problems and get stuck. I look at things in a different way. Everyone needs someone to help you see where you can be more productive, someone to help open you up to inspiration. Simple actions can change you as a person.

I am the perfect leader for the Peru trip because I am a good listener – I really take the time to understand people and see where they are coming from. I speak fluent Spanish which will be an important tool as we try and understand the stories of the people in the mountain communities.

Q: Why would you go on this trip?

A: I would go on this trip because it will certainly take you out of your comfort zone you will be amazed by the resilience of people fighting to preserve their communities and way of life. You will meet a whole new family of kindred spirits that will be part of your life-long journey. In short it will shift the path your life is on – aligning it closer to the things you’re truly passionate about.

A few trusted people have told me that you have this uncanny sense that you belong in Peru – that you come from there. It could be the contrast between the colorful textiles and the deep earthy tones of the trees, mountains, and skies or it could be the resilience etched in the faces of the people. Each day of the trip will be a new emotional exploration and visual delight all of which is cast against the fragility of our shared ecosystem.

Q: The mission of The Mountain Institute revolves around sustainability. How would you define sustainability?

A: Sustainability starts with yourself. It starts with the sustainable person. In some sense, it starts with looking at what you’re fearful of (not having things, loosing things, etc.). We look at these things and realize that all fears are an illusion, that we already have everything that we need. From there we can see how our needs impact the people, animals and environment around us. We become more conscious of how we consume and interact. We begin to seek and cultivate balance.

Q: What logistical information should travellers know about the SalaamGarage Peru trip?

A: There are 5 spaces left for the trip and the deadline to apply is June 1st. Additional information about the trip, including the itinerary, can be found at: http://salaamgarage.com/trips/salaamgarage-peru-may-2011. Angela of SalaamGarage can answer any questions you may have: travel@salaamgarage.com

Thanks for asking!

(from our friends at TBD, note this is not a SalaamGarage project)

Many of us live in a digital world of Tumblr, Twitter, and tons of other means of sharing everything we’re doing at any moment to anyone. It’s easy to forget that most people on the planet lack that voice – and, therefore, that visibility.

The unseen and unheard are about to get their thousand words of recognition. JR, international artist of mystery, routinely creates massive pieces of street art, focusing on those at the center of conflict or those who are overlooked. His images are the faces of Palestinians and Israelis standing together, or black Parisians shouting back at the media’s portrayal of them.

Now, JR is working with TED to put the power of voice in your hands. Through Inside Out, a massive participatory art project, they’re asking everyone (including you) to use black and white photographic portraits to discover and share the untold stories and images of people around the world. These can be sent to project’s co-creators, so that they can exhibit them in their own communities. So get out there, look into someone’s eyes, and let everyone see what you see.

Seattle’s got it covered: Locals pioneer a new wave of international journalism

Thursday, April 07, 2011 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (PT)

International reporting is a challenge in today’s scaled-back media climate. But as an international city known for innovation, Seattle is taking new approaches to global coverage.

Join the Jackson School of International Studies, the University of Washington’s Department of Communication and the Common Language Project as we invite local journalists, media-makers and news outlets to share the new ways they are bringing international stories home.

Speakers include:

Amanda Koster, founder of SalaamGarage

SalaamGarage turns curious travelers into citizen journalists, mentoring them as they visit NGOs in developing communities and learn to tell people’s stories through writing, photography and social media. SalaamGarage works in Guatemala, India and Ethiopia, to name a few. Amanda is the founder of SalaamGarage and author of book, “Can I Come With You?” The book introduces the reader to several social documentary projects Amanda Koster has worked on throughout the world.

Ethan Casey, author of “Alive and Well in Pakistan”

A self-described “recovering journalist,” Ethan has traveled the world and written two books about Pakistan. His work has appeared in the South China Morning Post, the Boston Globe, The Guardian and The Times of India. His next book, “Bearing the Bruise: A Lifetime in Haiti,” is due out this spring.

Jim Simon, assistant managing editor of The Seattle Times

During his 25 years as an editor and reporter for The Seattle Times, Jim has covered global issues in Southeast Asia and Africa, and worked with a team of journalists to help rebuild the media in Indonesia following the 2005 tsunami. As an overseer of content at the Times, he seeks out a broad base of international coverage to include in the paper’s Sunday edition.

Jessica Partnow, executive director of the Common Language Project

Jessica is a radio journalist whose work has been published by NPR, KUOW, The World and the World Vision Report. Her reporting has led her to countries including Cambodia, Ethiopia, India and Pakistan, and her radio series Life on the Duwamish received the 2008 Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for News Series.

If you’re interested in how Seattle-based media outlets cover international stories in this new media climate and want to know what makes our region such a unique base for new models for global reporting, you won’t want to miss this event!

Light refreshments will be served.

MORE INFO: http://seattlereports.eventbrite.com/

Citizen journalists present a photo exhibition depicting the work of Seattle-based NGO Agros International, and their work with indigenous Mayans in Guatemala.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, February 28th 2011 – A 7-person citizen journalism team, facilitated by SalaamGarage and Agros International, two Seattle-based non-profits organizations, will show over 30 photos depicting the lives of indigenous Mayan people in Guatemala throughout March at evo store in Fremont.

Opening reception will be on Friday March 4th 2011, at evo’s Times Infinity Gallery in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood (122 NW 36th St, Seattle WA), as part of Fremont’s First Friday Art Walk. The show will run throughout March. Admission is free. Refreshment will be available, thanks to the donation by local businesses.

The opening reception is from 6:00 – 10:00pm. evo store/gallery hours: Mon-Sat: 11am-8pm, Sun: 11am-7pm

During the reception at 8pm, there will be a short talk by SalaamGarage founder Amanda Koster, Agros Director of Communications, Sean Diamond and a question-and-answer session with the journalists. The journalists will also present their recently published book: “Guatemala + Agros, Stories from Seven Citizen Journalists.”

The journalist team, including 5 Seattle residents, 1 from New York and 1 from California, visited the war-torn Ixil area of Guatemala in the summer of 2010 and interviewed two dozen families in three villages. Through their photos, the team aims to provides an opportunity for Seattleites to better understand and appreciate the lives and the resiliency of the Mayan people.

The visit made a deep impression to all the team members.”I was surprised by how little real poverty I saw. The villagers I met were proud and seemed to want very little. The only desire that was universal was to have enough money to send their children to school,” said Phebe Sorensen, the 83-year old Great Grandma, one of the seven journalists.

The companion book, “Guatemala + Agros, Stories from Seven Citizen Journalists,” is available for purchase, at the reception and online through Blurb (A SalaamGarage partner) at http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1959235.

All proceeds from book and photo sales will benefit Agros International and support their work in Central America, empowering the people living in the margin to break the cycle of poverty.

About SalaamGarage
SalaamGarage is a digital storytelling, citizen journalism organization that partners with International Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local non-profits. Participants (amateur and professional photographers, writers, videographers, etc.) connect with international NGOs, create and share independent media projects that raise awareness and cause positive change in their online and offline social communities.

SalaamGarage partners with grass roots, forward thinking organizations. Through the trips, one experiences rare access to the work of social entrepreneurs that would otherwise go unreported, while engaging with local communities on an entirely new level.

About Agros International
Agros International is a Seattle-based, non-profit organization that works with poor, landless farmers in Central America and Mexico. Through a unique, holistic development model, Agros extends loans to purchase farmland and then partners and trains farmers for 7-10 years in applying sustainable agricultural practices, all with the goal of enabling these families to create, develop, and eventually own a sustainable village. Agros has started 40 village projects across five countries.

For further information, please contact Patrick, Guatemalan trip participant
Patrick Wright
PHONE: 206-612-0948
EMAIL: pat@plwp.com
WEB: http://bit.ly/g3TY1t

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What is the Photocrati Fund?

PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT a grant through SalaamGarage. Rather, it is offered by the Photocrati folks, we are just reposting it because it is relevant to what SalaamGarage does! Please read the entire post:

MORE INFO: http://www.photocrati.com/photocrati-fund/

The Photocrati Fund offers $5000 grants to pro and emerging photographers to undertake important humanitarian and environmental photography projects. Our goal is to identify outstanding, photographers and to provide the resources necessary to pursue projects that will have a tangible and positive effect on the world.

The 2011 Photocrati Fund competition will begin in November 2010 and will run through April 1, 2011. The 2011 Photocrati Fund award(s) will be announced at the Look3 Festival of the Photograph in Charlottesville, Virginia in June 2011. Awardees become Photocrati Fellows for the calendar year from the announcement of their award until the announcement of the following year’s award.

Award decisions will be made by the Photocrati Fund Board, a prestigious panel that includes some of the world’s best-known environmental and cultural photographers. The 2010 Photocrati Fund Board and judges for the competition included:

Steve McCurry
Michael “Nick” Nichols
Art Wolfe

Photocrati will announce the 2011 judges shortly!

Note: The Photocrati Fund and Photocrati.com are administered by Frontier Digital Media, LLC. Photocrati and the Photocrati Fund are sometimes hereinafter referred to collectively as Photocrati.

Note: The 2010 Photocrati Fund emphasized non-professional photographers. The 2011 grant will focus on pro photographers and emerging photographers who are making a career of photography

Eligibility
Application Submission Guidelines
Selection Criteria
Notification of Award
Disbursement of Funds, Project Report, Photo Essay and Deadline for Completion of Project
Copyright and Use of Images
Other Important Notes
Photocrati Fund Board Member Bios

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

2010 Photocrati Fund Winner and Top Finalists

MORE INFO:

http://www.photocrati.com/photocrati-fund/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 8th 2011

Citizen journalists present a photo exhibition depicting the work of Seattle-based NGO Agros International, and work with indigenous Mayans in Guatemala.

Photo: Patrick Wright

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, February 8th 2011 – A 7-person citizen journalism team, facilitated by SalaamGarage and Agros International, two Seattle-based non-profits organizations, will show over 30 photos depicting the lives of indigenous Mayan people in Guatemala throughout March at evo store in Fremont.

Opening reception will be on Friday March 4th 2011, at evo’s Times Infinity Gallery in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood (122 NW 36th St, Seattle WA), as part of Fremont’s First Friday Art Walk. The show will run throughout March. Admission is free.  Refreshment will be available, thanks to the donation by local businesses.

The opening reception is from 6:00 – 10:00pm. evo store/gallery  hours: Mon-Sat: 11am-8pm, Sun: 11am-7pm

During the reception at 8pm, there will be a short talk by SalaamGarage founder Amanda Koster, Agros International Director of Communications, Sean Diamond and a question-and-answer session with the journalists.  The journalists will also present their recently published book: “Guatemala + Agros, Stories from Seven Citizen Journalists.”

The journalist team, including 5 Seattle residents, 1 from New York and 1 from California, visited the war-torn Ixil area of Guatemala in the summer of 2010 and interviewed two dozen families in three villages. Through their photos, the team aims to provides an opportunity for Seattleites to better understand and appreciate the lives and the resiliency of the Mayan people.

The visit made a deep impression to all the team members.”I was surprised by how little real poverty I saw. The villagers I met were proud and seemed to want very little. The only desire that was universal was to have enough money to send their children to school,” said Phebe Sorensen, the 83-year old Great Grandma, one of the seven journalists.

The companion book, “Guatemala + Agros, Stories from Seven Citizen Journalists,” is available for purchase, at the reception and online through Blurb (A SalaamGarage partner) at http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1959235.

All proceeds from book and photo sales will benefit Agros International and support their work in Central America, empowering the people living in the margin to break the cycle of poverty.

About SalaamGarage
SalaamGarage is a digital storytelling, citizen journalism organization that partners with International Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local non-profits. Participants (amateur and professional photographers, writers, videographers, etc.) connect with international NGOs, create and share independent media projects that raise awareness and cause positive change in their online and offline social communities.

SalaamGarage partners with grass roots, forward thinking organizations. Through the trips, one experiences rare access to the work of social entrepreneurs that would otherwise go unreported, while engaging with local communities on an entirely new level.

About Agros International
Agros International is a Seattle-based, non-profit organization that works with poor, landless farmers in Central America and Mexico. Through a unique, holistic development model, Agros extends loans to purchase farmland and then partners and trains farmers for 7-10 years in applying sustainable agricultural practices, all with the goal of enabling these families to create, develop, and eventually own a sustainable village. Agros has started 40 village projects across five countries.

For further information, please contact:
Patrick Wright
PHONE: 206-612-0948
EMAIL: pat@plwp.com

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click to download flyer here

From LIVESTRONG to charity:water, the best nonprofits let their supporters become part of their story. But while lots of new nonprofits are great at fieldwork, few have the tech or tale-telling abilities to instantly grab their audience’s attention.

CauseVox creates custom public support and online fundraising pages that are beautiful and simple. Nonprofits can keep their own branding and design, seamlessly integrating CauseVox into their own main site and identity. The pages even allow supporters to weave their own story into the mix, personalizing their connection to the causes they love – kinda like the Tumblr of online fundraising. The best part: its easy-to-use platform is made specifically for non-techies, giving customers more time to do what they do best – changing the world.

CauseVox is offering 6 months of free services for TBD readers and friends – just sign up for notification of the public launch (which is set for January 24th — get to it before then!) and enter code “TBD.” Social good just got a lot more user-friendly.