Wanting to make a change.

Hello everybody, and welcome to my blog!

While I have set this up for a school project, I want to look at it as more than just an assignment and just a grade. I have always had a true passion for giving back and helping others, so this is the real reason why I am doing this. My assignment for one of my art classes is to make a "gift" for somebody in my community, whether on a local, national, or global basis, using my artistic abilities. I brainstormed many ideas, but all of them just didn't seem quite right to me. Until just a few days ago.

Just a week ago, I had no idea where Congo even was on the map. I had heard stories about what was taking place there, but didn't know much beyond that. Then I heard about Run for Congo Women, an organization founded by Lisa Shannon, that raises money through organized runs and walks, and helps women in Congo rebuild their lives. After exploring the website and doing some research on the current situation in Congo, I knew this was exactly what I wanted my focus to be for my project.

Click here to learn more about Lisa Shannon and Run for Congo Women.

I knew I wanted to help out with this organization and give back to the women, men, and children of Congo some way or another, but I wasn't sure where to get started. That was until I got a phone call from my mom saying I had the amazing opportunity to go to Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. with Lisa Shannon and several other women and photograph their day in the House of Representatives, helping spread the word about Congo and raising awareness.

Many years ago, I told a close friend about my dream of becoming an aspiring photographer. She responded by saying that she wanted to do something meaningful with her life. While eating lunch with Lisa Shannon this weekend, I overheard her say that "there are images and videos that can stop the world." I wanted to be the one to capture those images, even if I was just an art student with little experience. While I knew I couldn't go to Congo and photograph what was going on there, I knew I could start by capturing the change that was happening right here. So here I am, starting on a mission to use my photographs to help bring about change and raise awareness about the situation in Congo.

I encourage you to read about Congo and learn about what is going on there currently. Horrible things are happening unnoticed, and that needs to change. These Congolese women have no money and no voice, so why not use our voices to help bring about change?

Please subscribe to my blog and spread the word!

Thank you so much,

Annie Watts