Nº 30

«Barack Obama was one of these disposed kids»

It all started here, at the funeral in the photo above, but it actually comes from long ago. Since the beginning of his career as a photographer in 1967, Steven Shames has shown a clear interest: the lives of disadvantaged, abandoned and poor children. His images are stunning documents which speak for themselves, and are part of permanent collections of institutions like the International Center of Photography in New York, or the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, to name a few. Nine years ago, Shames was in Uganda, working on a story of AIDS orphans, and photographed the funeral of a woman, who left five orphaned children behind. The youngest, just a few months old, was called Sarah. Steven Shames decided to take over the education of the little Sarah, her family, and later also of a dozen orphans from the village. He wanted them to attend the best schools in Africa. In 2004, his interest had grown to an unprecedented educational project: LEAD Uganda. Today, the lives of more than 70 children, including Sarah, have been transformed. Steven Shames tells us the details of this fascinating adventure in this interview.

Versión en español

KINDSEIN: ¿How do you discover that attitude in the children?

STEVEN SHAMES: This is subjective. It requires us to listen to them, to see if they have that sparkle in their eyes, to determine if they are tough enough to make it. We talk to their teachers, guardians, neighbors. We look at their school reports. But the most important determination is to ask them what they want from life.

KINDSEIN: How is their new life from that moment on?

STEPHEN SHAMES: Once we chose a child, we will usually keep them in local schools for a year to monitor their progress. We give them support during this probation period. The Ugandan staff also gives them a high level of emotional support. Our children need to heal. We also give them a family, a place to exist in this world. We heal by moving forward, rather than lingering on their suffering.

KINDSEIN: ¿Do you think you have chosen well?

STEVEN SHAMES: Yes, because our kids are extraordinary and their academic and leadership success speaks for itself. These AIDS orphans, children living in refugee camps, former child soldiers, former sex-slaves, street kids, and child laborers are excelling in school. Twenty maintain “A” averages, and eleven received first grades on their national exams. One has been accepted at the African Leadership Academy in Johannesburg, one of Africa’s top high schools. A dozen hold leadership positions at their schools. We also have talented video cameramen and artists. Two of our students are writing books.