Mr. Geoffrey Buta presenting the equipments to the Savelugu School for the Deaf
Multi-award-winning photojournalist, Geoffrey Buta, and team lead at Foto4change Foundation has donated camera equipment to the Savelugu School for the Deaf in the Savelugu municipality of the Northern region.
The items donated include a camera, Speedlite, tripod, and other accessories for the students at the School.
According to him, the goal is to support and educate students from schools for the deaf in the country.
He said, the importance of visual storytelling and supporting these special students has become more necessary than ever, as it has the power to shape their perception, tell their own stories, and make history.
“The presentation is to equip the students to express themselves to the world on how visual storytelling is a very effective means of self-expression for the students against social issues that affect them and also the journey to becoming young professional visual journalists”.
“Students will also be coached by some of the leading photo professionals in the country from whom they will receive training, inspirational lectures as well as having their portfolios reviewed within a group session”.
Mr. Buta noted that the mentors will share practical advice as well as their thoughts and perspectives on trends and developments in the industry.
“Part of Foto4change’s goal is also turning these special young talents into world-renowned professional visual storytellers to champion future visual storytelling by giving them the tools, knowledge, and opportunity to advance their careers and build on their skills”.
The multi-award-winning photojournalist revealed that after the training, there will be a national photography contest among the schools and an exhibition where students from the school will be awarded.
Aisha Yakubu, a female student expressed her joy as she operated the camera for the first time.
“This is a dream come true, as I have been yearning to become a visual storyteller”.
Headmistress of the Savelugu School for Deaf, Nora Naaso, commended Mr. Buta and the team from Foto4change for their initiative adding that it will help produce first-ever people with special needs visual journalists in the country.
“As we speak, there is no single professional journalist or cameraman in the country we can boost off, despite it being some of the student’s dream of becoming one”.
She said, that despite their effort to encourage the students to partake in their studies, there is no single teacher to take them through.
Ms. Danaa called for more support in the area of art so that the young ones can have a practical feel of whatever they are taught.
“These young ones can become world-renowned artists like some of those we already have in the country when we start teaching them from this age”.
By Eric Kombat, Savelugu