Check out another project from the Pacific region – this one going on in Papua New Guinea – in a settlement near Port Moresby called 8 Mile.
8 Mile Settlement / Photo by Emmanuel Onom Mel
8 Mile Settlement project is a nice example of an increasingly popular approach to community development – using creative arts (painting, photography, storytelling and traditional weaving) to empower people in a disadvantaged community to communicate the experiences and perspectives of local people – perspectives that are frequently misunderstood and often misrepresented by media. Like many similar projects the aim is also to support community members to develop and sell art works as local source of income.
One of the young people in this community has taken up photography, documenting their community with a nice personal eye. On the website you can also read some interesting personal stories from young people who participated in the project this year, giving insight into daily life for young people in the settlement. Click here and follow the links to photos and stories, where you can also read more about 8 Mile and the art education process.
An exhibition of works from this project is planned for Australia next year.