For the second year, I will be joining Anh Linh free School in Ho Chi Minh, to teach the children about photography. You could teach your children how to draw, watch your favourite movie with your lover, participate to historical reconstitutions with strangers… Personally I chose to share my passion with children on the other side of the world. When I decided to contact Anh Linh free School to vol
unteer in Ho Chi Minh City, I wanted to bring into the experience something personal, something I love and share it with children living a life completely alien to me. I had so many ideas, about Science, Art, Craft but most of all Photography. As I came up with the Photo class project, I was excited to show the kids the basics, how to use simple cameras, how to frame better – I am always surprised how people are chasing efficiency but still leave so much empty useless space in their pictures -, about the different type of pictures, natural light, flash, etc... But there is one lesson I hadn’t foreseen. I didn’t know much about Vietnamese education, apart that it is very expensive and most schools are controlled by the government. The teaching also happens to be incredibly dense. The programme is very rich and covers subjects such as Vietnamese, Maths, History, Geography, Science, Nature, Health and so forth. The classes are nevertheless only 4 hours a day – Primary in the morning and Secondary in the afternoon. Despite the lessons running 6 days a week, Monday to Saturday, there is way too much information to fit in to leave any place to self-expression, imagination, creativity or argumentation – not that it is something the state would particularly be keen on. When I arrived at the school, I realised I was facing very bright and curious children but none were able to step away from clear straightforward instructions, to take initiatives or show some imagination. As the time passed, I tried to challenge that need for rules and direction, to encourage them to open their eyes and to express their dreams, hopes, to find their own voices, the stories they want to tell, causes they want to fight for. Three weeks is such a short period of time but it was enough for me to observe changes, evolution, an impact on their photographs but also on their way to assess life and to embrace new possibilities. Nam is a child coming from a family where all men are or have been garbage men. He had always said to the teachers that is what he is destined to become… until one day, after one class with just few students, I asked the question and Nam surprised everyone by answering he wants to be a furniture designer. Bao was a regular student but once a sheet of paper or a camera and a tiny push was given to him, he became the most creative kid, who dreams of becoming a Manga writer. Photography is part of me, it is the way I chose to express myself, my external memory, the window I see the world through. But I know it is not for everyone and I am not pretending all children were mesmerised by my classes. But a good number were looking forward to them, for the freedom and the impression of control a camera gave them. Three weeks certainly had an impact but many things are quickly forgotten when you are pushed by society and your relatives to conform, to do like everyone else, no more, no less, same actions, same thoughts and, to a certain extent, to live the same life your family and neighbours ever lived. Anh Linh School nevertheless is fighting against that, they offer free education to children unable to integrate any other schools – for financial, age or social reasons. Kim Ngoc, the Head Mistress believe in “her” kids and want to give them all the tools they need to break the vicious circle Vietnamese society can imprison them in. I am grateful she sees me as one valuable tool but there is only so much one can do without help and that is where I need you. You can send messages, questions, requests to [email protected].
