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Charity photo project brings hope

Updated: 2018-09-21
( chinadaily.com.cn)

Charity photo project brings hope

The "When Photography Meets Public Welfare" exhibition takes place during the 18th Pingyao International Photography Festival. [Photo/ce.cn]

Visitors to the 18th Pingyao International Photography Festival, which took place from Sept 19 to 25, were able to see a poignant display of photographs, thanks to a selection of work documenting the struggles faced by those in difficult situations.

"When Photography Meets Public Welfare", features the work of six selected photographers from the Ganguang Plan (Touch by Light Plan), a program which aids photographers working with charities across China to record some of the valuable work done by voluntary organizations.

I don't understand the Chinese captions, but the photographs speak for themselves; I can see the sadness and helplessness of many of the individuals that feature in the images, said John B. Turner, a photography curator from New Zealand.

Charity photo project brings hope

John B. Turner talks with visitors at the exhibition. [Photo/ce.cn]

Many who viewed the special selection of photographs commented on their impact, and the way they reduced complex situations into single emotional moments that an observer could understand.

Through these photographs, it is really possible to touch and feel the pain of the people in them, said one visitor.

QR codes were also placed around the photography display, enabling visitors to scan a code and find out more details of the individual charity projects where each photograph had come from. The QR links also allowed visitors to donate money through an internet funding platform called Easy Public Welfare –– enabling the festival to give back to disadvantaged communities.

Lin Yiqing, a visitor from Fujian province, donated to a girl hurt in a car accident that he had seen in one of the photographs.

"The photo gives me a deep insight into the pain and sorrow the girl's parents must be feeling, as well as the family's urgent need for assistance," said Lin.

Charity photo project brings hope

Xie Hailong (right), a photographer working for the Ganguang Plan (Touch by Light Plan), introduces a photograph to a visitor at the exhibition. [Photo/ce.cn]

Using photographs and innovative methods of raising money is a core element of the Ganguang Plan.

Launched on July 12, the 10-million-yuan ($1.45 million) program was initiated by the China Photographers Association, popular Chinese news website Toutiao, China Social Welfare Foundation, China Charities Aid Foundation for Children, and China Population Welfare Foundation to raise money for people in need, including impoverished families and people with cancer.

Photographers selected for the program are expected to be compassionate, to have solid photographic and writing skills, and operate with the highest ethical standards.

The program plans to recruit 100 photographers nationwide for charity work, according to a director of the program.

And to further support the work of the program, its sponsor Toutiao news plans to develop an algorithm to prioritize news stories about charity events photographed by these photographers of the Ganguang Plan on its news feeds, in order to help with fundraising and publicity.

 

Dining

Pingyao Wantuo

Wantuo, a type of noodle from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), is one of Pingyao's local snacks with a long history.

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