In 2008, I worked with PhotoVoice* as part of their New Londoners Project. Through the project, 15 New Londoners were mentored by 15 emerging and established London photographers to create personalized photo stories about their views and experiences of London. During this project, I was a mentor for Hassan, a young unaccompanied asylum seeker. He fled Iraq after he had released from a kidnapping, that left him witness to the murder of his politically active father.
Hassan was a bright, charming, respectful and dedicated young man. His strength and resiliency astounded me and I felt honored to work with him. Working with him, we shared stories about our lives and many laughs. Over time, he learned that his strength lies in documenting what he knows. During this process, he also became involved with Reel Change, a project through the Tower Hamlets Summer Uni. We worked in collaboration to help Hassan exhibit his work the Ten to 10 series, in Summer 2008. Below are my 3 favorite images, all taken by Hassan Ali.
“Hassan’s experience of London is different and changes daily; hourly . . . the tiring pace of life dictates so many mixed feelings. Some days he loves it. Some days he hates it. These images represent the breadth of where he may be in any one day, since his current life takes him all over London. Place and pace, changing hour to hour, Hassan’s London from Ten to 10.“
*PhotoVoice is an award-winning international charity and the only development organization of its kind in Europe. Its projects empower some of the most disadvantaged groups in the world with photographic skills so that they can transform their lives.
