The Through the Eyes of Children photo gallery is an offshoot of a World Vision training workshop held in Peru in 2007.

Workshop participants included 200 children and youth from 27 poverty-stricken municipalities across the country. The young photographers were encouraged to take photos that represented their feelings and views about their communities.

Working in groups, the young people looked for locations and situations with a social and economic significance that they wanted to portray. They then shot the photos themselves and made selections to present to the group.

Aside from giving them a creative outlet, this unique program helped the children and adolescents start a dialogue with government officials about their expectations, their needs and problems, and how to overcome them.

The initiative succeeded on two fronts. First, the children and youth participants captured artistic photos that helped them express values, issues and problems they consider important.

Second, they were able to present their work to the National Congress of Peru. They were even able to meet with government officials to discuss their concerns and expectations.

This workshop was also a success in that it proves that with a little guidance, children and youth can be active and effective agents for change in their communities. 

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