In 2012, Hope Alive Uganda will run the Eyes of Africa project together with photographer Melanie Rijkers. Hope Alive Uganda wants to give children in Kisozi (who participated in the hiv/aids workshops), teen mothers in Kisozi and street children in Jinja the oppertunity to discover their talents and develop their talents and show the world their lives through the lens of a camera and through art. It is a follow up program of the hiv/aids workshops and the objective is also to create awareness about the situation of (pregnant) women and teen mothers in areas where there is no midwife (this part is linked to Hope Alive Uganda's maternity ward at the medical centre in Kisozi).   What's more, Eyes of Africa aims to put marginalized children in Jinja in the spotlight to draw attention for their needs.  The children participating in the Eyes of Africa project will follow workshops in the fields of photography and art and will be guided by Ugandan professionals in these fields, photographer Melanie Rijkers and Hope Alive Uganda.  The plan is to organize an exhibition at @Eddy's in Jinja and one in the Netherlands. At this moment, Hope Alive Uganda and Melanie Rijkers are busy securing funds and materials to be able to carry out the project in 2012.  Check out the materials needed here.

Photo by Melanie Rijkers. Photo taken by Melanie Rijkers for Simavi's kick off of the Worldmothers estafette.