Fotos for Favelas
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Lais Lacher I am an avid traveler, philanthropist, photographer and fashinista. I was born in Bellingham Washington to an American father and Brazilian mother. I have traveled to over fifteen countries frequently combining travel with my passion for philanthropy and photography. I traveled to Calcutta, India in 2009 with the organization High Cloud to provide support to an orphanage. I most recently spent seven months traveling throughout Brazil. During my last month in Brazil I volunteered in one of Rio de Janeiro’s favelas, Rocinha with the organization UMPMRS (União de Mulheres Pró-Melhoramento da Roupa Suja). While I was there I taught a photography class to eleven children that were participants in UMPMRS’ after school program. In addition to classes, all of the children had individual time slots where they were |
| given the opportunity to take photos around their neighborhood using a Nikon D-60 SLR digital camera. The photos that the children took are unique because they depict a favela, (a Brazilian shantytown) through the eyes of those who live there. They do not focus on the poverty, violence or politics that are often portrayed by the media. Instead, the photos focus on unique images created by the children and their interpretation of the place that is their home. When I returned to the United States I wanted to continue to be involved with the community in Rocinha and created Fotos For Favelas. Through Fotos For Favelas I am selling the children’s photos to raise money for their community. On SevenDays In, the children’s photos are displayed in two collections. The first collection depicts the urban and gritty side of a favela with the brick and concrete buildings and houses, exposed wiring and plumbing, and general lack of nature. The second collection focuses on the lively side of the favela with pictures of children, flowers and colorful houses. The money raised from these prints will be destinated to Fotos for Favelas. |
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Meet the 11 photographers of Fotos for Favelas |
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 Roselane is fifteen years old and she has one sister and three brothers. Her favorite subject in school is math and she likes to run. She wants to become a singer when she grows up.  Juan is eleven years old and has two brothers and two sisters. Juan likes to help others and play hide and seek. He wants to be a lawyer when he grows up.  Leandro is eleven years old and has two sisters and three brothers. His favorite subject is Portuguese and he likes to play football. When he grows up he wants to become a lawyer.  Estefani is eleven years old. Her favorite subject is science and she likes to play on the computer in her spare time. She wants to be an actress in a novella when she grows up.  Mariana is ten years old. Her favorite subject in school is science and likes to play tug of war with her friends. She wants to be a biologist when she grows up.  Luma is eleven years old. Her favorite school subjects are theatre and English. In her spare time she likes to take photos and go to the beach. Her dream is to become a television actress. |
 Leticia is ten years old. Her favorite classes are art and music. She wants to be an actress when she grows up.  Chayenne is twelve years old. Her favorite subject in school is history and she likes to play on the computer in her spare time. When she grows up she would like to be a professor.  Milena is twelve years old and her favorite school subject is science. She likes to take photos and go to the cinema in her free time. When she grows up she wants to be a television presenter.  Vanessa is ten years old. She enjoys reading and taking photographs. She wants to be a teacher when she grows up.  Joyce is twelve years old and has one brother and one sister. Her favorite subject is science and she likes to play dodge ball with her friends. She wants to be a biologist when she grows up. |
A complete collection of the photos with introduction and biographies of the children is available in book format: www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2725251 |
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