Harare: Foto4Change on Tuesday launched its initiative in Zimbabwe to amplify voices from marginalized communities through visual storytelling. The launch in Zimbabwe coincided with a donation of professional photography equipment to students of the Deaf Zimbabwe Trust College and a hands-on training in visual storytelling.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Geoffery Buta, Team Lead of Foto4Change, stated that the donation came after learning about the incredible work Deaf Zimbabwe Trust College was doing to change the lives of Deaf children. He praised the Trust’s dedication to advocacy, education, and inclusivity, which inspired his team to contribute in a way that aligns with their mission to empower marginalized communities through storytelling. “We believe that everyone, regardless of their abilities, has a story worth telling, and visual storytelling provides a powerful medium to do just that,” he said.
The training session engaged students on the fundamentals of visual storytelling, including composition, lighting, and framing compelling narratives. It allowed them to explore creative perspectives and express themselves through images, fostering confidence and self-reliance. Mr. Buta emphasized that visual storytelling is more than just capturing images; it is a tool for advocacy, self-expression, and career development. “Through this initiative, we are not only giving cameras; we are giving these students a voice, a chance to document their realities, and an opportunity to explore professional pathways in storytelling,” he added.
Mr. Buta highlighted that the Foto4Change program had already transformed the lives of students in three Deaf schools in Ghana, and the team was excited to make an impact in Zimbabwe. The project envisions supporting many more deaf students, enabling them to tell their own stories, actively engage in public dialogue, and contribute to national and global conversations on social transformation.
The introduction of visual storytelling training at Deaf Zimbabwe Trust College is expected to have a lasting impact on the students and the broader Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) community. Mr. Buta said the project would encourage the formation of storytelling clubs to provide continuous skill development, challenge stereotypes about the capabilities of the Deaf community, and create new career pathways in media, arts, and communication.
Foto4Change plans to maintain engagement with the Deaf Zimbabwe Trust College through mentorship programs, advanced training sessions, and potential exhibition opportunities to showcase the students’ work. This initiative marks a significant step toward fostering inclusivity and empowering the next generation of visual storytellers.
Madam Babra Nyangairi, Executive Director of Deaf Zimbabwe Trust, expressed deep gratitude to Foto4Change for their unique support. “This donation and training are truly transformative for our students. Visual storytelling is a universal language, and with these tools, our students can share their experiences with the world,” she said. Madam Nyangairi affirmed her college’s commitment to making the most of this opportunity by forming a visual storytelling club that would nurture talent and encourage students to consider storytelling as a viable career path.
Foto4Change is a multimedia initiative dedicated to using photography, video, and immersive storytelling to drive social impact. Aligning with five Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it focuses on advocacy, education, and innovation, amplifying voices from marginalized communities through visual storytelling.