Are outside media professionals best equipped to portray the lives of people in developing-world communities? Don't residents of these communities not know their realities better? We think so. Our grassroots empowerment VC Participatory Media Maker Projects return control to local actors. We use participatory visual methods, including VC Photovoice and VC Participatory Video, to help local residents explore their own strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for the future. Villages Connected professional facilitators train community members to use the very still and video cameras previously pointed at them. We then facilitate community discussions that use residents' images to critically examine their own social reality. As part of our socially responsible business model, Villages Connected uses the proceeds from these projects to establish and maintain community media cooperatives in the communities where we work. We customize VC Media Maker Projects to fit the needs of each community and organization. This flexibility and adaptability means no two projects are the same. Contracting a Villages Connected Participatory Media Makers Project yields lasting results because: Community Members of all ages, genders & social groups: Have fun while exploring locally relevant opportunities for social change. Inspire confidence in their own abilities. Recognize their expertise and knowledge. Communicate their community's realities and priorities to NGO officials, policy makers and the world. Conduct ongoing evaluation of existing programs; Suggest adjustments to NGO staff; Monitor project impact beyond formal NGO involvement. Share their knowledge within and between communities. Harness local knowledge to develop more effective projects. Enhance existing project sustainability by empowering local champions. Monitor & evaluate projects on an ongoing basis by involving those most affected by the changes. Increase fundraising and advocacy efforts by generating a body of highly compelling images and local stories. Build understanding across borders and cultures. Fulfill ethical obligations to accurately portray the lives of developing world partners. Contact us to see how VC Participatory Media |
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