The Disposable Project: Tanzanian children get behind the lens

Addis Rumble speak to Raul Guerrero, an artist who gave 100 disposable cameras to nine children – and encouraged them to document their daily lives.

• Addis Rumble, part of the Guardian Africa network
• theguardian.com, Friday 14 November 2014
• 

One of the photographs taken by nine children as part of The Disposable Project in Moshi, Tanzania. Photograph: The Disposable Project

The Disposable Project was started by Raul Guerrero in 2011 when he handed over 100 throwaway cameras to nine children in a village near Moshi in Tanzania.

Collaborating with the Microsoft initiative Born to Learn, a programme that helps educate disadvantaged youth, Guerrero offered students basic photography skills and developed ways for them to share their stories by documenting their everyday experiences.

Pose by Kamili Kalist. Photograph: Kamili Kalist/The Disposable Project

How did the idea emerge?

Being a long time photographer/visual artist prior to this project, the idea to approach photography differently with this opportunity came to me a bit before my visit to Tanzania. Rather than playing the role of the traditional observer, documenting my own personal experience and stories from behind the lens, I wanted to share my passion for photography with the community I was going to be working with in a way that would lead to rewarding and memorable interactions.

Portrait by Peter Michael. Photograph: Peter Michael/The Disposable Project

Eat Flour by Alex Charles. Photograph: Alex Charles/The Disposable Project

What kind of photographic guidance, if any, did you give to the children?

At the beginning of the project, the guidance was pretty lax. As the weeks went on and the novelty of the cameras lessened, I went on to teach them some photographic concepts, giving assignments and holding short critiques, all with the help of the local teachers/counterparts working with Born To Learn.