About Us

Fostering children’s photographic talents not only boosts self-esteem and teaches practical technical skills for the future, it also inspires change. Given a chance, empowering children enables them to improve their quality of life.

Zanmi Lakay’s Jouk Li Jou Kan Foto teaches practical technical skills for the future through photography. The program fosters teamwork and socialization skills, and builds confidence, with the ultimate goal of empowering young students to improve their lives and strengthen their communities. Jouk Li Jou is a Haitian expression that translates to: we’ll never stop until the day is over, working hard to see a better life, and we’ll keep fighting until the end. Jouk Li Jou Kan Foto participants, their families, and their communities embrace this spirit in life; and their photographs reflect resilience, dignity, and enduring spirit.

THE PROJECT During a 10-day Photo Camp, volunteer professionals work in teams with children from Cite Soleil and Jacmel. Students go out in the community to photograph assignments featuring important local issues, daily life, skilled trades, sports and recreation, commerce, community rebuilding efforts, relationships, culture and the arts. Volunteers mentor students to improve their photography skills and introduce them to editing and image processing on the computer. Students select their favorite images to share in a slideshow and group discussion. Jouk Li Jou Kan Foto culminates in a month-long exhibition at the Fosaj Art Center that opens with a community celebration featuring local performers, a slideshow, photo collages and at least one large photograph per student. For more information visit,jouklijou.org

ABOUT ZANMI LAKAY Zanmi Lakay is a nonprofit organization that has taught Photography workshops to street children in Haiti for 16 years and founded Jouk Li Jou Kan Foto in 2011. Their students have the opportunity to become photo ambassadors, as they learn how to show the world, through their eyes and their photographs, about life in Haiti. In February 2010, the New York Times Lens Blog published Zanmi Lakay students’ post-earthquake photographs, and Canada’s Globe and Mail hired eight students to provide photographs documenting the rebuilding of Jacmel. The students’ work has been exhibited in galleries throughout the United States, from San Francisco to Washington D.C. For more information on Zanmi Lakay’s other programs, visit our website at www.zanmiLakay.org

Organize a Fundraiser

Help us by organizing a fundraising event, an open house, a school or community donation drive for the kids, or host a Ti Maché or photo exhibit.