Does learning about photography make your life better? If you’re 18, and have already been homeless, and in foster care, and been through major family disintegration—does using a camera or participating in a photography program make some kind of tangible difference for you?

That’s the central question for a community based photographer, and the organization that works with him or her. And it’s a hard one to answer.

The Freedom to Create Prize celebrates the power of art to fight oppression, break down stereotypes and build trust in societies where the social fabric has been ripped apart by conflict, violence and misunderstanding. History shows that prosperous societies are founded upon creativity. Societies that encourage artistic expression build strong foundations for economic, political and cultural development. They will lead tomorrow’s world.

As always the kid at PIO school are happy to see visitors, especially visitors than offer them help and friendship.

I have learned more about my country, and the major social issues people are facing in it, from a “fictional” television show than I have from mainstream news media in the last couple of years. And that’s because I watched the Wire.
I am a proselytizer for the Wire. [...]

In the UK there’s an old saying,”an Apple a day keeps the Doctor away”, this has been adopted here in Cambodia for the children of the PIO school, but using eggs and a daily multivitamin suppliment tablet.

Orphfund is raising money to build orphanages in Haiti, and needs your help.

The idea of Stella*Finance is rather simple: to provide a direct link between supporters and institutions offering basic education for those in need. As a registered charity, it raises money at various fundraising events, such as charity auctions and concerts, as well as by collecting in-kind and financial contributions and promoting and administering an individual child sponsorship scheme.

In 2009, the founders of Collective Lens will travel to Africa, the Middle East, and Asia to showcase the cultures, issues, and charitable organizations of third world countries. No matter where you live, there are many stereotypes and assumptions about other cultures that often prohibit one’s ability to make a personal connection. By showing the differences and similarities between cultures, we believe that more people will be encouraged to reach out to their neighbors across the globe.

Are you a teacher hoping to get your students excited about photography and involved in a good cause? Collective Lens is reaching out to classrooms in an effort to get youth excited about photojournalism and social change.

An interview with Adria Mooney and James DiPadua, the founders of Partners with GLOW, an organization working to help AIDS orphans in Zambia in partnership with the GLOW Club. GLOW (Girls Leading Our World) is a loosely defined organization started by a Peace Corps volunteer, and has since spread throughout the Peace Corps. Adria and James visited Adria’s sister, Alyssa Mooney, in Zambia. Alyssa is currently a Peace Corp volunteer in Mushota, Zambia, and her work inspired Adria and James to become involved when they returned home to the U.S.