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UNICEF and Perspectiva organise a photography workshop for children with disabilities

By John Varoli

With a growing economy, thanks in large part to the country's abundant natural resources, Russia is now a place of opportunity. Not for everyone, however. Children with disabilities are still trying to find a better place in their society.

UNICEF and its Russian partner, Perspectiva, is trying to bring inclusive education for children with disabilities to the top of the social agenda in Russia today.

From May 21 to May 25, UNICEF and Perspectiva organised a photography workshop for children with disabilities. Twenty children participated in the project. Half of them had disabilities that ranged from a boy confined to a wheelchair, a young girl who was born without arms, a young girl with impaired hearing, and a girl with Down’s syndrome. Each disabled child was paired with a child without disabilities.

Before the children began to spread out across Moscow in hopes of immortalising their impressions of the Russian capital, they spent two days studying the basic principles of photography under the close and attentive eye of UNICEF photographer, Giacomo Pirozzi.

While the children were uncertain and coy on the first two days, by day three, when they got their marching orders to begin shooting with their digital cameras, the enthusiasm came bursting out.

A visit to an orphanage for children with severe mental and physical disabilities on May 23 proved to be a powerful and disconcerting experience for all. Most shaken by the level of despair and adversity of these children.

Later that day, both groups headed to the heart of Russia – the Kremlin and Red Square where they photographed some of Russia’s most beloved and sacred sites, including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and St. Basil’s Cathedral on Red Square.

Once back in the classroom on May 24, the children began the long and difficult process of choosing the best photos. Emotional discussions ensued as the children recalled his or her feelings at the moment the photo was taken.

In the end, on May 25, a secret vote was taken and the winners announced. The victors were crowned with a paper sash, and basked in the glory.

The cameras have been put away for now and the children have gone home, but the struggle in Russia to include disabled children in mainstream education moves inexorably forward.