A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

“Photography is a universal language that transcends boundaries and connects cultures” – Bonnie Chiu, Co-Founder of Lensational

A chance encounter during a trip to Istanbul, Turkey, has led Bonnie to use photography as a tool to create social change. She says:

“A girl came up to me and asked if she could take a look at my camera. She’d never had the chance to use a camera before. The sheer joy on her face as she learned how to use one has inspired me to use photography as an agent of social change.”

“Happiness” – by Bonnie Chiu

Bonnie, 21, has set up Lensational, a social enterprise empowering underprivileged women and children in Pakistan through photography.

The organisation, in partnership with local photographers and NGO’s, provides photography training workshops to women and children. Since setting up the organisation last year, 100 women and children in Pakistan have been trained.

Following a recent successful crowdfunding campaign on HelpingB, where £2,000 was raised with 22 days to spare, Lensational will be able to equip 60 Pakistani women and their families in Pakistan with digital cameras, along with the photography training.

Not only will they be able to express themselves despite illiteracy barriers, photography will also give them new sources of income as their photos will be sold via the Lensational website.

“The Leader?” – Taken with a disposable camera by a student in a village school in Lahore. Partnership with Citizens’ Commission of Human Development.

To find out more and to see more of the photos taken by Bonnie and participants of the programme visit the Lensational website: