By Charyl Tendongze

Five underprivileged youths have emerged winners of a photography contest that was organised by PENASED, Pentecostal Advocates for Socio Economic Development.

youths with the first five best photographs

The finale of the contest that took place at ISMA campus, Bonamoussadi- Douala from the 5th-7th July, brought together 25participants from 5 regions of Cameroon. With 5 participants each from the North, East, Far North, Littoral and Center regions.

This finale was a continuation of a series of photography workshops that held before in other regions, organised by PENASED, in collaboration with MINCOM and MINAS with support from UNICEF.

When asked the reason behind this project, the coordinator for PENASED Wato Joseph, had this to say: “We came up with this project to show our people that there are many competencies in the street. That children on the streets are not lost and can be very useful. We are teaching them photography jobs and this is a way to say we will not only give them fish but teach them how to fish as well.”

Coordinator, PENASED Wato Joseph

Out of the five winners, the top 2 are from the Extreme North while the other three are from Littoral, Center and East regions.

At the end of the event these children received enlarged photos of themselves and certificates of participation. The five best participants will later receive their prizes in kind.

In an interview with Djenabu Mamoudou, the participant with best photo, she said “It was a very beautiful experience for me because I’ve learned a lot about photography. Photography has always been my passion and I’m happy my dream is coming true”.

Djenabu Mamoudou, participant with best photograph

Rinyu Clinton who took the third best photo also had this to say: “Well it was a wonderful experience and an impacting one I most confess one of the things am living with is that we should never limit our selves because of our situation or conditions.”

Rinyu Clinton participant with the third best photograph

This training is just one amongst many activities that PENASED and does to better the lives of the underprivileged.