Series description
What do girls dream of? And what happens when a supportive environment is created where girls are empowered and given the opportunity to learn and dream? The Right to Play creates a playful world where girls are shown in an empowered and affirming way. Worldwide, it is estimated that around 129 million girls are out of school and only 49 percent of countries have achieved gender parity in primary education, with the gap widening at secondary school level. Every day, girls face barriers to education caused by poverty, cultural norms and practices such as FGM, poor infrastructure and violence. For this project, I worked with girls from Kakenya’s Dream in Enoosaen, Kenya who have avoided FGM and child marriage, showing what the world can look like when girls are given the opportunity to continue learning in an environment that supports them and their dreams.
Biography
Lee-Ann Olwage is a visual storyteller from South Africa who uses collaborative storytelling to explore themes relating to gender and identity. She is interested in using the medium of photography as a mode of co-creation and celebration. With her long term projects, she aims to create a space where people she collaborates with can play an active part in the creation of images they feel tells their stories in a way that is affirming and celebratory.
Michealle Naeku
Portrait of 12-year-old Michealle Naeku, a student at Kakenya’s Dream school in Enoosaen, Kenya. Naeku is an avid reader and dreams of becoming a nurse. The flowers are used to create a playful world where girls are shown exuding pride and joy. In this way the flowers are also used to reclaim their futures and dreams, and to re-imagine the narrative of child marriage.
© Lee-Ann Olwage, South Africa, 1st Place, Professional competition, Creative, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards
A Generation of Change
Students pose for a portrait in a classroom at Kakenya's Dream school. All of the students at Kakenya's Dream have avoided FGM and child marriage as a result of the programs the school runs.
© Lee-Ann Olwage, South Africa, 1st Place, Professional competition, Creative, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards
The Right To Play
Girls at Kakenya’s Dream school, run and play in the classroom. Many children in rural Kenya don’t get the opportunity to continue their education beyond primary school level. Instead of playing and learning, young girls get married or get a job to help their families.
© Lee-Ann Olwage, South Africa, 1st Place, Professional competition, Creative, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards
Alishers Paranai Sakasah
Portrait of Alishers Paranai Sakasah, aged 11, who is a student at Kakenya’s Dream school. Sakasah dreams of becoming a pilot. The flowers are used to create a playful world where girls are shown exuding pride and joy and in this way the flowers are also used to reclaim their futures and dreams and to re-imagine the narrative of child marriage.
© Lee-Ann Olwage, South Africa, 1st Place, Professional competition, Creative, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards
Out of school
School uniforms hang in a classroom at Kakenya’s Dream school, symbolising the approximate 129 million girls who are out of school worldwide.
© Lee-Ann Olwage, South Africa, 1st Place, Professional competition, Creative, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards
Florence Wantiru Kenywa
Portrait of 11-year-old Florence Wantiru Kenywa, a student at Kakenya’s Dream school. The flowers are used to create a playful world where girls are shown exuding pride and joy and in this way the flowers are also used to reclaim their futures and dreams and to re-imagine the narrative of child marriage.
© Lee-Ann Olwage, South Africa, 1st Place, Professional competition, Creative, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards
Purity Ntetia Lopores
Portrait of Purity Ntetia Lopores, 14, a student at Kakenya’s Dream school, who says: ‘I love art and would love to pursue music in the future.’ The flowers are used to create a playful world where girls are shown exuding pride and joy and in this way the flowers are also used to reclaim their futures and dreams and to re-imagine the narrative of child marriage.
© Lee-Ann Olwage, South Africa, 1st Place, Professional competition, Creative, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards
Purity Ntetia Lopores
Portrait of Purity Ntetia Lopores, 14, a student at Kakenya’s Dream school, who says: ‘I love art and would love to pursue music in the future.’ The flowers are used to create a playful world where girls are shown exuding pride and joy and in this way the flowers are also used to reclaim their futures and dreams and to re-imagine the narrative of child marriage.
© Lee-Ann Olwage, South Africa, 1st Place, Professional competition, Creative, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards