i have recently been "commissioned" {i guess that's the word?} to take photographs for a non-profit microfinance organisation. i am incredibly inspired by the work they are doing in south africa {and beyond our borders} and feel a huge amount of pressure to adequately represent the calibre of this work. i am really passionate about microfinance -- the reason i traveled to the states in 2011, and have been eager to get involved here in joburg. so you can imagine how excited i was when they asked me to photograph entrepreneurs and, in some cases, write their stories.
i ventured into newtown on thursday morning and met judith. she's a mother and a business woman who runs a sewing company on the third floor above a print house. at that time she was making netball kits for a primary school, work uniforms and roll-up banner bags for the printhouse. she has employed seven people who are fascinating to watch. i've done some rudimentary sewing in my life {buttons and sewing straight lines of infinity scarves} and am amazed at the dexterity of these women -- and men. as a gesture of goodwill, i gave judith one of my scarves, despite feeling like a total novice. she's wearing it in the pics :)
the brief was very specific: capture the process judith follows making a handbag which is to be sold in the usa, take photographs of her business place and some portrait shots. these will be presented at a conference in washington, DC.
i loved being able to see the benefits of microfinance firsthand. how it empowers people, creates jobs and adds value. i chatted with "innocent", one of the seamsters. he told me about his family and the many places he's worked prior to judith's company. his work is impeccable.
here are some of the pics. so honoured to have this opportunity.
