The Shootback photography project was introduced in 1997. Sixteen girls and sixteen boys, ages 12-17 were selected to participate in the project. The youth started with basic point and shoot 35mm cameras, and photographed aspects of their lives that they deemed important and/or problematic, including family, community, environmental, health and personal issues.

MYSA youth leader, taught the youth photography skills and led weekly discussion sessions which served as forum for discussion on pressing issues in the community. The aim was to let the youth tell stories about their everyday lives using the camera. They had the opportunity to share their lives and experiences in the slums with the rest of the world through photos. They also took photos of MYSA activities and events thereby compiling the history of the organization. The participating youth also acquired technical skills that would help them in future if they chose photography as a carrier.

Shootback activities include weekly meetings, documentation, and journal writing for the participating youth. The activities run throughout the week in all MYSA zones. Members meet once in a week for discussions, collection and returning of the equipment. A total of 65 young residents have trained and participated in the photography project since 1997. Thousands of photos are currently stored at the Shootback office in Nairobi. Many of the photos have been submitted to exhibitions both locally and internationally.

Some of the best photos have been compiled and published in the Shootback book. The project is also involved in the Image-in-the-MDGs project which is geared towards empowering the youth through photography with a particular focus on the millennium development goals (MDGs).

The Shootback team is also participating in an innovative art and technology initiative by the Photographer’s Gallery, London. The project aims to use the internet as a dynamic environment through which both children and local youth can develop dialogue, exchange images and share experience with others around the world.

The Shootback team has been exchanging e-mail and images with children from London, Dhaka, Bangladesh and Cape Town, South Africa. The project has been involved with the “Tale of four cities” www.photonet.org.uk and featured in an international exhibition at the Photographers’ Gallery in April 1999.

After launching and establishing Shootback book, posters and postcards, profits have been used to train members on advanced digital video and photography in different institutions and workshops. The Shootback members who have been able to enhance their knowledge through further training, have in turn taught and shared their acquired skills with others in the project.

Other achievements of the project include the commercial documentation of sports for social change network activities and production of a DVD. The project also worked with Nike to produce a Nike advertisement “if you let me play”. Most recently the project was involved in the production of an important documentary -“climate change” which was featured at the Nuff film festival in Norway.

There is also a need for members to acquire skills necessary for maintenance and repair the existing equipment. Another major challenge for the project is maintaining the interest of active members especially that of girls.