New York Institute of Photography Partners with Kenyan Photography Program to Benefit Kids with Cancer

The New York Institute of Photography has partnered with Keeping the Smile, a therapeutic photography program at Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. NYIP has offered free photography training to the program’s leader, Boniface Kimani Muthoni, so that he can pass on top-quality training to the kids in the program.

Keeping the Smile benefits children battling cancer. The goal of the program is to provide relief to children undergoing cancer treatment, and uses photography as therapy. Ultimately, the plan is to use exhibitions of the children’s work to spread the word about pediatric oncology in Africa, and raise money to improve the conditions that these children live in.

"I am gracious and humbled for the opportunity to be trained by NYIP," said Boniface Muthoni, "receiving the support needed to learn and train with your Institute will motivate me to be a leader of courage and hope."

While the project is still relatively new, launching in February of this year, the effort is already achieving some of its early goals. 36 children have gone through photography training, learning how to handle a camera, take photos, write captions, and work as a group. Funds have been raised to pay hospital bills. And the first corporate sponsor of the project was signed up.

"At NYIP, we believe strongly in the healing power of photography," said Chuck DeLaney, Director of NYIP, "we're always happy to work with non-profit organizations that seek to help people through training in photography, and we’re proud to help Keeping the Smile in their efforts."