Through the Eastern Eyes VIII:Saainthamaruthu

“Photojournalism provokes conversation and though which all good journalism should do. The exhibition provides an excellent teaching opportunity, fostering discussion about how we cover events of our time the need of society while talking about the profession and craft of journalism”~ Michael Parks (April 24, 1940-), American Actor and Singer

The youth of Saainthamaruthu have taken a new turn in their lives today. They have had their maiden photo exhibition in their village. The 12 member Photo Voice team has undergone a professional training in Photo Journalism for one year, which was provided by Terre des hommes. The youth were trained professionally to handle still cameras, light, angles, composition, capture various moments, write caption and make a photo journal. Five villages from Batticaloa district and five villages from Ampara district were chosen and the youth were trained. The villages are namely Kalkuda, Kaluwankerny, Paalaiyadiththoona, Poonochchimunai and Puthukkudiyiruppu from Batticaloa district Kaaraitheevu, Ninthavur, Oluvil, Periyaneelaavanai and Saainthamruthu from Ampara district.

The photos taken by the youth in Saainthamaruthu were displayed at today’s exhibition. The have highlighted the need to have a proper playground in Saainthamruthu. The photo voice team of Saainthamaruthu has members from Muslim community. Photo Exhibition by the youth from Saainthamaruthu was held on April 28th 2010 at the Al-Jalaal Vidyalayam, which was organized by Terre des homes.

Saainthamaruthu which is situated in Ampara district between Kalmunai and Karaitheevu. It has a total population of 26,708 people. There are 13,482 males and 13,226 females currently live in Saainthamaruthu according to the Grama Sevaka official. Most of the men are fishermen and some work as day labourers.


A banner at the main entrance of the venue

Photo Voice Team in Saainthamaruthu

Map of Saainthamaruthu

Many angles are shown

Stakeholders in Saainthamaruthu

The Photo Voice Team member Ahamed Mohamed Fazmeer is explaining to the viewers

A villager views the exhibition

Model playground which the youth is expecting for their village

Cameras used for the training are displayed at the exhibition

The Photo Voice Team captures the moments

Many viewed the exhibition amidst the prevailing hot weather in the area

The Photo Voice Team is in action

Through the Eastern Eyes VII:Poonochchimunai

“Photojournalism provokes conversation and though which all good journalism should do. The exhibition provides an excellent teaching opportunity, fostering discussion about how we cover events of our time the need of society while talking about the profession and craft of journalism”~ Michael Parks (April 24, 1940-), American Actor and Singer

The youth of Poonochchimunai have taken a new turn in their lives today. They have had their maiden photo exhibition in their village. The 12 member Photo Voice team has undergone a professional training in Photo Journalism for one year, which was provided by Terre des hommes. The youth were trained professionally to handle still cameras, light, angles, composition, capture various moments, write caption and make a photo journal. Five villages from Batticaloa district and five villages from Ampara district were chosen and the youth were trained. The villages are namely Kalkuda, Kaluwankerny, Paalaiyadiththoona, Poonochchimunai and Puthukkudiyiruppu from Batticaloa district Kaaraitheevu, Ninthavur, Oluvil, Periyaneelaavanai and Saainthamruthu from Ampara district.

The photos taken by the youth in Poonochchimunai were displayed at today’s exhibition. The have highlighted the need to upgrade the basic infrastructure for Poonochchimunai and self-employed women in the village. The photo voice team of Poonochchimunai has members from Muslim community. Photo Exhibition by the youth from Poonochchimunai was held on April 28th 2010 at the Early Childhood Children’s Play Activity Centre, which was organized by Terre des homes.

Poonochchimunai which is situated in Batticaloa district between Navatkuda and Kaathaankudy. It has a total population of 450 people (130 families). There are 155 males and 196 females currently live in Poonochchimunai according to the Grama Sevaka official. Most of the men are fishermen and some work as day labourers.


At the main entrance

Poonochchimunai photo Voice Team

Poonochcimunai has been in existence since 1850 according to historical documents

A kid is attracted by another camera which is focused on him

Women make handicraft in this village

Map of Poonochchimunai

Tidal wave named Tsunami hit this village in 2004

The first school was started in 1975

Stakeholders in Poonochchimunai

This small village was destroyed by the cyclone in 1978

A member of the Photo Voice Team is seen capturing the moments of their exhibition

Children are seen taking a closer look at the photos on display

Through the Eastern Eyes VI:Paalaiyadiththoona

“Photojournalism provokes conversation and though which all good journalism should do. The exhibition provides an excellent teaching opportunity, fostering discussion about how we cover events of our time the need of society while talking about the profession and craft of journalism”~ Michael Parks (April 24, 1940-), American Actor and Singer

The youth of Paalaiyadiththoona have taken a new turn in their lives today. They have had their maiden photo exhibition in their village. The 12 member Photo Voice team has undergone a professional training in Photo Journalism for one year, which was provided by Terre des hommes. The youth were trained professionally to handle still cameras, light, angles, composition, capture various moments, write caption and make a photo journal. Five villages from Batticaloa district and five villages from Ampara district were chosen and the youth were trained. The villages are namely Kalkuda, Kaluwankerny, Paalaiyadiththoona, Poonochchimunai and Puthukkudiyiruppu from Batticaloa district Kaaraitheevu, Ninthavur, Oluvil, Periyaneelaavanai and Saainthamruthu from Ampara district.

The photos taken by the youth in Paalaiyadiththoona were displayed at today’s exhibition. The have highlighted the need to upgrade the basic infrastructure for Paalaiyadiththoona. The photo voice team of Paalaiyadiththoona has members from Tamil community. Photo Exhibition by the youth from Paalaiyadiththoona was held on April 27th 2010 at the Paalaiyadiththoona Children’s Activity Centre, which was organized by Terre des homes.

Paalaiyadiththoona which is situated in Batticaloa district between Thevapuram and Korakallimadu. It has a total population of 2,576 people (534 families). There are 826 males and 1,750 females currently live in Paalaiyadiththoona according to the Grama Sevaka official. Most of the men are fishermen and some work as day labourers.

An invitee is being welcomed at the main entrance

Paalaiyadiththoona Photo Voice Team

Youth Services Officer Amarasingham Thayaseelan and Grama Sevaka Official Rasaratnam Achchuthan are having a closer look at the photos on display

Photo Voice Team member captures the moments

Some of the women in Paalaiyadiththoona are self-employed

Paalaiyadiththoona village structure is explained in clay

People of Paalaiyadiththoona go to the nearby villages to find farming jobs as their soil is too soft for farming

There are 103 women headed households in Paalaiyadiththoona

Stakeholders of Paalaiyadiththoona

A group of kids viewing the photo exhibition

Comments are being written

A scene in the village

Through the Eastern Eyes V:Puthukkudiyiruppu

“Photojournalism provokes conversation and though which all good journalism should do. The exhibition provides an excellent teaching opportunity, fostering discussion about how we cover events of our time the need of society while talking about the profession and craft of journalism”~ Michael Parks (April 24, 1940-), American Actor and Singer

The youth of Puthukkudiyiruppu have taken a new turn in their lives today. They have had their maiden photo exhibition in their village. The 12 member Photo Voice team has undergone a professional training in Photo Journalism for one year, which was provided by Terre des hommes. The youth were trained professionally to handle still cameras, light, angles, composition, capture various moments, write caption and make a photo journal. Five villages from Batticaloa district and five villages from Ampara district were chosen and the youth were trained. The villages are namely Kalkuda, Kaluwankerny, Paalaiyadiththoona, Poonochchimunai and Puthukkudiyiruppu from Batticaloa district Kaaraitheevu, Ninthavur, Oluvil, Periyaneelaavanai and Saainthamruthu from Ampara district.

The photos taken by the youth in Puthukkudiyiruppu were displayed at today’s exhibition. The have highlighted the need to upgrade the basic facilities for Puthukkudiyiruppu. The photo voice team of Puthukkudiyiruppu has members from Tamil community. Photo Exhibition by the youth from Puthukkudiyiruppu was held on April 26th 2010 at the Kathiravan Library, which was organized by Terre des homes.

Puthukkudiyiruppu which is situated in Batticaloa district between Thaazhankuda and Kirankulam. It has a total population of 3,771 people (1,079 families). There are 1,705 males and 1864 females currently live in Puthukkudiyiruppu according to the Divisional Secretariat. Most of the men are farmers followed by cane weavers and fishermen.


Traditional welcome at the main entrance

Puthukkudiyiruppu Photo Voice Team

Having a constructive discussion

The team is planning to use the new techniques learnt in photojournalism

Creative badges made by the Photo Voice Team

Puthukkudiyiruppu has a very unique tradition

Beautifully drawn Kolam adds colour to the exhibition

Map of Puthukkudiyiruppu is shown as a model

People from nearby village viewing the photos

Cameras and identity cars used by the Photo Voice Team are being displayed

Comments are being written

Book which was launched today about Puthukkudiyiruppu

Through the Eastern Eyes IV:Kalkuda

“Photojournalism provokes conversation and though which all good journalism should do. The exhibition provides an excellent teaching opportunity, fostering discussion about how we cover events of our time the need of society while talking about the profession and craft of journalism”~ Michael Parks (April 24, 1940-), American Actor and Singer

The youth of Kalkuda have taken a new turn in their lives today. They have had their maiden photo exhibition in their village. The 12 member Photo Voice team has undergone a professional training in Photo Journalism for one year, which was provided by Terre des hommes. The youth were trained professionally to handle still cameras, light, angles, composition, capture various moments, write caption and make a photo journal. Five villages from Batticaloa district and five villages from Ampara district were chosen and the youth were trained. The villages are namely Kalkuda, Kaluwankerny, Paalaiyadiththoona, Poonochchimunai and Puthukkudiyiruppu from Batticaloa district Kaaraitheevu, Ninthavur, Oluvil, Periyaneelaavanai and Saainthamruthu from Ampara district.

The photos taken by the youth in Kalkuda were displayed at today’s exhibition. The have highlighted the need to upgrade the facilities for the special need people in order to look after them well in Kalkuda. The photo voice team of Kalkuda has members from Tamil community. Photo Exhibition by the youth from Kalkuda was held on April 26th 2010 at the Children’s Centre, which was organized by Terre des homes.

Kalkuda which is situated in Batticaloa district between Paasikuda and sea. It has a total population of 2,292 people (715 families). There are 1,117 males and 1175 females currently live in Kalkuda according to the Divisional Secretariat. Most of the men are fishermen, while some of them daily labourers such as masons and carpenters.


A view of the venue

Kalkuda Photo Voice Team

A kid on a tree in Kalkuda

Many kids were drawn to the exhibition

Kalkuda is known for many historical Hindu temples

Community leaders viewed the exhibition

Photos of present and future infrastructure of their village are on display

Kids at play in Kalkuda despite the hit weather

Stakeholders in Kalkuda

Villager at the venue

Kids having a closer look at the map of their village

Resources in the village are marked