Every child in Western Australia can benefit from access to digital technology, but young people living in remote Aboriginal communities are often digitally isolated.
The PhotoVoice project aims to create positive change by providing digital access to vulnerable children in the Kimberley and transforming their lives.
PhotoVoice aims to improve child health and wellness by strengthening social and emotional wellbeing through creativity and cultural connectedness.
PhotoVoice is a community-based project that builds new skills in photography and storytelling for children to represent their views of their environment creatively. Children are encouraged to tell their stories, share what they consider meaningful to their wellbeing, and advocate for changes needed in their community.
During the project, children are given first-hand access to tools that can be used to inform and influence the community to prioritise their needs. This inclusive, collaborative and engaging project will improve school attendance, social connection, wellbeing and digital capability.
Professor Jeff Brooks and Sharmini Poulsen, Curtin University. Credit: Supplied
Welcomed by the community, PhotoVoice will ensure perspectives of children in remote communities are recognised in the co-design of educational activities to improve their health and wellbeing.
Parent Janine Mandijalu said: “PhotoVoice is a creative platform to help my daughter, Jenarrah, tell her story and help others see the world through her eyes, using photography.”
Telethon funding will support the PhotoVoice program to help disadvantaged and vulnerable children living in remote Aboriginal communities access digital technology, expand their horizons and thrive.