Exhibit to show student photos

The Giving Back to Africa Student Association will launch “Beta Histoire,” a month-long photo exhibit, from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the IU Art Museum.

The exhibit will showcase photographs taken by children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and photographs taken by students in Monroe County. Fogarty and Friends jazz trio will play during the opening of the exhibit as well.

“Even though the DRC is on the other side of the world, the exhibit shows similarities between youth in the U.S. and youth in the DRC,” GBASA president Sarah Baulac said. “It’s important to be educated on these likenesses to feel more connected to the development of youth leaders in the DRC.”

GBASA educates IU students about political, social and economic issues in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, she said.

“We hold events to spread awareness about what Giving Back to Africa, the Bloomington-based nonprofit, is doing to further the education of the youth there and fundraise to support the non-profit’s mission,” Baulac said.

Through project-based learning, Giving Back to Africa is dedicated to educating young people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to become agents of change in their communities, according to its website.

The process of GBASA’s first art exhibit began in 2011, Baulac said. The
organization sent disposable cameras to Giving Back to Africa’s partner school in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

“Students at Centre Salisa took pictures of their lives,” Baulac said.

Once the cameras were returned, the members developed the pictures and placed them in an exhibit at the museum, she said.

“This year, we’ve expanded the exhibit by inviting students in Monroe County to submit pictures of their lives in response to the original pictures from DRC,” Baulac said. “We had over 20 photo submissions.”

She said the photographs in the exhibit focus on what the children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo see in their daily lives.

“Participants can expect to see an interesting juxtaposition between the two cultures,” she said.

The photos were taken from the point of view of students in Monroe County and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, though some of the photos may feature students.

Giving Back to Africa is dedicated to making its vision a reality by working with other groups and people who share its philosophy of investing in human capabilities by pairing with the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to its website.

“It’s always a great feeling to work with people who are passionate about similar issues,” Baulac said. “We have a small group, but we’re all very connected and working hard toward bettering education in DRC.”