HAVE YOU SEEN THIS GIRL?

Click this image for your chance to win a 10 x 15inch framed print valued at $350!!

THIS IS THE PHOTO FOR FREEDOM PROJECT

The YGAP Photo for Freedom project is designed to focus attention on child slavery in the African country of Ghana. In early 2011, Melbourne photographer, Tom Goldner, conducted a photographic study of individuals, communities, landscape, daily life and work around the Lake Volta region. Tom’s images will be exhibited in 2012 raise funds and public awareness of child slavery in Ghana.

YGAP will use the proceeds from this project to continue combating child slavery in Ghana.

 

Child Slavery in Ghana. The trafficking of children into Ghana’s fishing industry is a terrifying reality. It is not uncommon for Ghanaian children as young as three or four years old to be sold by their families to work in the fishing communities along the Lake Volta region. This form of child labour is modern day slavery. Working as bonded labourers, these children are forced to work up to 14 hours a day either on the lake or as domestic servants. The children live in deplorable conditions, are barely fed and are subject to both physical and psychological abuse. They are outcasts in the fishing communities and have no access to education. As a result of such conditions, these children are highly traumatized and often suffer from stunted growth and water-borne illness from lake parasites. Click the PHOTO FOR FREEDOM link in the top menu to find out more about Ghana and the Photo For Freedom project.

Where does the money go? Money raised by the Photo For Freedom project goes to “The Children’s Village” located in Doryumu, Ghana. Funds collected will provide housing, educational opportunities and medical services to vulnerable children and families. Through an investment in education and medical services, together with YGAP, Photo For Freedom aim’s to support vulnerable communities and prevent the supply of children being trafficked into the destructive fishing industry. The aim of the school is to improve education levels in vulnerable communities through providing access to an educational institution for children and community awareness and training seminars for their families. It will educate all children living at the Children’s Village. The school will also be used to provide the community with education about the implications child trafficking has on the whole community and the truth of what is happening to their children once they are sold to the fishermen.