Kira Cares, Incorporated, a Miami-based charity organisation, founded by young Jamaican expatriates, launched the pilot of its 'Through the Eyes of a Child' project last month at the St Andrew Parish Church Care Centre.

Sponsored by Big Joe, the objective of the pilot is to educate eight children/young adults in the art of photojournalism.

Participants from various walks of life, from age eight to 16 convened at the care centre on the July 22 launch date, where they were introduced to photography at a workshop led by top-class photographer, Martei Korley, whose clients include Rolling Stones Magazine, The Source Magazine and VP Records.

The participants regrouped at the care centre on July 31, where they presented their photographs, shared their experiences, received tips for improvement, and also handed back cameras provided by Kira Cares. Cameras will be returned to the participants once they register and take part in the larger project, slated to take place next January.

Children in the 'Through the Eyes of a Child' programme will journal their daily life experiences through photography, ultimately exposing the varied lifestyles, needs, and beauty of the lives of Jamaica's youths.

Images will be selected and published in the form of photobooks and postcards. Proceeds from the sale of those will go towards helping with the cost of education expenses for participants in need.

"This initiative is a positive one because you can make earnings. This is a way the youth can make an honest living. I myself was inspired to learn about photography," said Leonie Sullivan, caregiver at the St Andrew Parish Church Hall.