Giving Back

Dear Friends and Family,

I am sharing with you an exciting fundraiser I am standing behind.  My friend Amina Mohamed is the Founder and Executive Director of a Canadian charity called, Cameras For Girls and she has rolled out a month-long Fundraiser entitled:

“Change Your Lens, Change Her Story” Campaign.

But first, let me tell you why I am supporting this amazing charity.

Amina and her family emigrated to Canada in 1972 after being exiled from their home-country of Uganda, after then-president Idi Amin kicked out all the Indians that had called Uganda home.  Growing up, Amina was always taught to give back and to cut a very long story short (you can see more about her on this great CTV New Feature from 2021) she decided to combine her passion for photography and philanthropy. She teaches photography and business skills to marginalized females in Africa endeavoring to become journalists. She gives them a camera to keep and a year-long training that empowers them to find full-time paid work.

To date Amina has trained 32 girls in Uganda (in-person) and 10 girls in South Africa (online) and now 50% of her students have full-time paid work.  Many are working in the journalism and photojournalism sectors, while others have taken the photography training and started their own businesses offering headshots, family sessions and even shooting at events.  The result is that it gets them out of poverty and allows them to be independent and the decision makers in their own lives. 

Here’s How The Funds Will Be Used:

To date Amina has been able to do the in-person training only in Uganda but she wants to also be able to do the in-person training for the students in South Africa.  Training them online does not provide the necessary contact and cultural interaction that happens in the in-person training.  The monies would help with the purchase of the cameras, the transportation and the training materials.

Here’s How It Works:

I have donated the first $100 and I would appreciate it if you can match the amount.  But don’t worry if you can’t donate that amount, as every bit counts!  My goal is to raise a minimum of $1,000 and I am sure with the amazing people I know and have reached out to, we can match or even surpass that goal!

Here’s What We Get For Being The Winning Team:

The team that raises the most will be invited to participate in a “Bean to Bar Chocolate Experience,” hosted by a Level II Certified Chocolate Taster through the International Institute of Chocolate and Cacao Tasting (UK). Mary Luz Mejia curates Canadian bean-to-bar guided chocolate tastings for clients and engages chocolate lovers in exploring the nuances of fine chocolate from production, and how to use the senses to fully savour fine chocolate. There is literally a world of difference between well-made chocolate and commercial candy bars, and you get to travel through your tastebuds via the equatorial countries that grow cacao that’s as distinct and varied as coffee or wine.

Each person on the winning team will receive a carefully curated selection of chocolates to thoroughly enjoy the experience.  For those able to travel to Toronto, the Cameras For Girls team will hold an in-person event and for those that are far away you will still be able to enjoy as they will be streaming the experience simultaneously so you don’t miss out.  It will be an amazing day so mark your calendars for May 29^th at 3pm EST.

Check out the video HERE that explains the experience!

Dates for the Campaign:  April 1 – 30, 2022

How To Donate:

You will donate directly on this platform under my name, https://camerasforgirls.fundkyapp.com/en/change-your-lens–change-her-story/individual-participant/Cristina-Sacco

Everyone who donates at least $25 will get a tax receipt.

In closing, thank you for taking time to read my plea for support and I would appreciate if you do decide to donate that you email me with the date and amount of your donation (remember every bit counts) so that we can track the donations and win that bean-to-bar experience!

Sincerely,

Cristina

Boy Girl Photography continues to also take part in other passionate events such. I am blessed to have a team that continues to support and donate their time in giving back to important causes such as with After Breast Cancer Charity  and Rev It Up for SickKids.

2012 Rev It Up for SickKids

2013 Rev It Up for SickKids

2014 Rev It Up for SickKids

2015 Rev It Up for SickKids

2016 Rev It Up for SickKids