Through the Eyes of Children: The Rwanda Project

This project draws on the visual arts to communicate children's experiences with conflict. The idea is that people - of any age - who live through a challenge can share its texture - its "feel" - with outsiders in a way that no one else can. In this context, Through the Eyes of Children began as a photographic workshop in 2000 that was inspired by and centred on the importance of the children’s perspective and experience. Photographer David Jiranek used photography books to teach the children how to take pictures: “Through books, the children have been able to explore the world of photography and the world outside of Gisneyi, Rwanda.” That is, before they ever held a camera, the children explored the published works of well-known photographers to understand the art and the craft of photography.

The children then used donated disposable cameras to produce pictures that were initially developed locally, displayed at the Imbabazi Orphanage walls, and placed in photo albums by the children. Then, a year later, the children were invited by the United States Embassy to exhibit their work in the capital, Kigali, where the pictures were sold, with all proceeds going towards the education of the children.

Various efforts were then made to share these images with a global audience. The exhibition appeared in the United Nations lobby for that organisation’s tenth-anniversary commemoration of the genocide. Since then, it has been seen throughout Africa, Europe and the United States, and was exhibited at the premiere of the film "Hotel Rwanda" in New York and Los Angeles (for 1 night each). Those unable to attend the in-person exhibitions may view the children's photographs on the project website.

Children, Conflict.

Many of the children who participated in the project are both Hutu and Tutsi and were injured and orphaned by the 1994 genocide. According to organisers, “Their images continue to play a key part in our memory of the injustices that occurred. Not only has photography served as a major strategy for documenting the atrocity, but it has also been used as a way to reunite children with their families." A photograph by 8-year-old Jacqueline titled "Gadi" won First Prize - Portraiture in the 2001 Camera Arts Magazine Photo Contest (in the adult category).