Connections, Part 2

...And here is the rest of the story.

After Annette Biggers of Triplecord told us her amazing story of photographing this wedding in Uganda and running into the man to whom she anonymously donated an old camera two years ago (see previous blog entry), she explained that she was so moved by seeing how her camera had helped him that she planned to start her own project to send used cameras to Africa. It was just an idea that she had not yet had time to develop.

Well, on the last day of our workshop, April 12, Annette and another workshop participant, Veronica King were strolling around some shops near where our workshop was held, and they noticed a large group of people gathered in one area. So they went over to check it out. It was a team from Microsoft looking to interview people who are trying to start a new business. Annette looked at Veronica and said, "You want to start a business together?"

At that moment, they decided to create Photographers for Africa, a nonprofit that will send used cameras to Africa. Everything happened very quickly. They went up to a suite that was set up with cameras, lights and sound booms, and officials from Microsoft interviewed them for a segment that will be broadcast on Microsoft's website in May. Microsoft is also providing them with a free website to host Photographers for Africa.

It's a very new venture, and the website development is still under way, but Annette says they are accepting cameras now. Annette has several connections in Uganda and Kenya, with whom she is in talks for receiving and distributing the cameras. Contact Annette through either website linked above to find out how to send your old cameras to her. Africans are still using primarily film cameras, so look around and see what's hiding in the back of your closets. Your old cameras could give those less fortunate a way to support themselves and their families.

"That is the obstacle they have right now," Annette says. "They simply don't have the money to buy equipment to start their own businesses. There are little things we can do here that totally change people's lives."

It's amazing how these little happenstance moments throughout our lives can lead us to this one big place where our mission becomes clear. All the markers seem to line up and point us in the direction we're supposed to go. And in such a positive and supportive industry as ours, there are usually thousands of others eager to help us get there. Thank you for reading Annette's story. Please pass it to on to others so we can work together to change lives.