The photography training given by the Ibn Haldun University Perspective Photography Club to the disabled youth as part of the "Gülümse Çekiyorum Project" ended with the closing program and the opening of the photography exhibition held at the Bağcılar Disabled People's Palace. In the program, participation certificates and gifts were given to young people with disabilities who received photography training for 8 weeks. On the other hand, the “Gülümse Çekiyorum Photograph Exhibition”, which includes the photographs taken by the disabled young people participating in the training, started to host its visitors at the Bağcılar Feyzullah Kıyıklık Palace for the Disabled.
On this occasion, we met with Club President Irem Sülük and Project Coordinator Buse Şengül on behalf of the Perspective and Photography Club that undersigned this meaningful project.
Irem shared her feelings and thoughts about the project that ended with us as follows:
Honestly, it was a very good project. We had a great time every day, in every lesson. We have had very beautiful photos: we took them smiling, they took us smiling. Besides the happiness of teaching them something, we also learned something. Thanks to these lessons, we learned how to empathize, or simply, many things that we did not know about photography. Obviously, we had a lot of volunteers. We had the opportunity to get to know each other better with these volunteer friends. For this reason, I think that our project has achieved its goal in every aspect.
Do you think you have proven with this project the fact there are no barriers to taking pictures?
Yes definitely. With this project, we destroyed the perception that disabled people cannot take photos. This project was proof that if we teach a person something, there is nothing that person cannot do. Indeed, I think it was successful. Regardless of their age, problems or difficulties they face in life, people can achieve something when they want to. My friends really showed it. They took very nice photos and these were also included in the exhibition. That's why I think the project has achieved its purpose.
