Shootback Students (Kenya)
Equipped with $30 plastic cameras, these photographers have been photographing and writing about their lives since 1997. Today their photographs are exhibited, published, and collected around the world.
Ali Barisa
Student
I am looking forward in my life to be a professional footballer and photographer. Shootback is my dream because I was waiting for such a chance.
Anne Wambui
Student
I like photography because it makes me to promote our country and know more about our country. In Shootback Lana and Kim are our leaders. I would like to thank them for the good work they have done.
Beldine Achieng
Student
I've gained a lot of experience in taking photos, writing journals and camera techniques. My ambition is to be a photojournalist or a lawyer.
Beryl Anyango Juma
Student
I have a camera and the snaps that I have taken since I entered the Shootback project. I was very happy to get that chance.
Charles Odhiambo
Student
I joined Shootback in order to learn photography and also meet new friends. I am now familiar with different types of cameras. My dream in future is to become a journalist.
Collins Omondi
Student
My ambition in the future is to become a photojournalist and a famous one. Through the motivation of our project leaders, I know I will achieve my dream.
Collins Omondi Guya
Student
My special interest is football. I like playing football very much because one time one day it will help me.
David Mbuthia
Student
I have become a peer educator and now I am a member of the Shootback Team. My ambition in life is to be a professional photojournalist and football coach.
Edith Awuor
Student
My hobbies are playing football, swimming, taking photos, sharing new ideas, listening to music and rapping
Fredrick 'Oreck' Otieno
Student
My friends told me that there is one big organization known as MYSA which I joined in 1992 whereby I was like a footballer. I really like Shootback actually and the other MYSA activities.
George Otieno
Student
I joined the Shootback project because I wanted to know how photos were made. Now I know how to take good photographs. Apart from taking photographs, I like reading novels, listening to reggae music and watching movies.
Hasan Tom Kaseki
Student
I like the Shootback project so much - it has taught me how to use the camera and the Shootback teachers have taught me how to take the best pictures.
Hellen Okoth
Student
Strangers are friends you don't know. My favourite subjects are social ethics and biology.
Hellen Wangeci
Student
I have really learned a lot from Shootback. For example, I know how to take pictures using different types of cameras, which I knew nothing about before, and I have become more assertive and confident.
James Njuguna Mwaura
Student
My happiest day was when we went to the museum because my pictures were sharp and displayed on the walls. Many people were looking at and discussing my pictures which made me feel like I was a professional photographer.
Joseph Mulei
Student
I am a good footballer in the making and one day I will be a professional footballer and then the president of Kenya. In Shootback, I am learning how to take pictures of all kinds.
Julius 'Ragos' Mwelu
Student
My interests are reading storybooks, exchanging ideas, playing football and watching movies. My ambition in life is to be a photojournalist.
Kennedy Omondi
Student
My first time to touch the camera I did not know much about cameras, how to handle them, focusing and taking of pictures. But nowadays, I can do so. I can take pictures of different views, slums and even of matches
Maureen Mak'opiyo Atieno
Student
My ambition in life is to become a politician and who knows, maybe I will become the first woman president in Kenya!
Mohammed Dahir
Student
Always I dreamed about my future but I did not know what to do. Photography is now my hobby which I take as my future coming job.
Moses Ouma
Student
I like football so much because it is my favourite game. Here in Kenya the environment is very polluted and we don't have enough place to play so we play in half of a playing field.
Nicholas Mathenge
Student
Shootback has done a lot for me and helped me polish a talent I didn't know of.
Paul 'Bebeto' Ochieng
Student
My future life really matters to me so I can't waste time, for time wasted will never be recovered. My ambition for the future is to be one of the best photographers in our country.
Pauline Awuor
Student
Photographing is not quite as easy work that people might think, but when you know what you are doing and what you want in life, things cannot be all that difficult.
Peter Ndolo
Student
I could have been in the street borrowing money, snatching women's bags or sniffing glue but now I know how to take pictures, how to process film and about the Internet.
Saidi Hamisi
Student
I have been able to learn a lot from the organization. For example: playing football, facts about AIDS and taking good pictures through Shootback. My ambition in the future is to become a photojournalist.
Salome "Sally" Atieno
Student
I'm really thankful for this golden opportunity, Shootback. I'm glad to get such a chance and I'll not misuse it.
Serah Odeke
Student
In Shootback I have learned how to take pictures. My hobbies are exchanging photos, watching movies, exchanging ideas and playing football.
Serah Waithera
Student
My special interests include playing football, taking pictures and visiting friends. My ambition is to become a professional player. Since I was young. I really dream about being somebody. So aim for the sky before your end of life.
Susan Muthoni
Student
My hobbies are reading storybooks, taking photos and watching movies. My special interest is to be a journalist.