Project: Bumps in the Road

      After months of developing relationships, making phone calls and writing emails, it appeared that we were finally experiencing a breakthrough with continuing the oral history/photo journalism project.  I could hardly believe it. All of the work and hope we had put into this oral history/photojournalism project and it was finally happening!  So much excitement~

      Kasey, Alex, and I spent our class time preparing the cameras and a scavenger hunt for the kids.  We wanted to provide direction for them as they took pictures but also make it fun.  It needed to appear less like homework and something exciting that they would want to be involved in.  With that complete, we were ready to meet the kids.  Materials prepared, packed and ready to go, it was time to meet the kids.

      Martin Middle School is probably not unique and may possibly be like most middle schools; however, upon arriving, it can at times feel more like entering a prison.  Gaining access to the kids, easier said than done.  Every door is locked and tightly secure.  You ring the bell, explain to the secretary why you are there and who you want to see.  So different from my experience as a child and as a mother.  Upon entering, the school has this sweet spirit and yet, police presence, chaos in the halls, laughter, pushing, and teachers talking loudly over the noise of children's chatter.

      Meeting with the kids: some of them are excited, inquisitive and curious about the project.  They are eager to get started and then there are those that well, quite frankly, are not that interested. We give them options to do the project or decline.  It doesn't  work to have kids doing something that doesn't interest them.  For those who stayed, out of 20 kids, we ended up with around seven to ten.  A few were on the fence but took the cameras and said they would think about it.  For those who remained, tons of questions, discussion on what they were going to take pictures of, and this enthusiasm to be a part of something that lasts.  It was encouraging and hopefully their excitement will be contagious!

     As I left the school that day, I thought about the next two years.  I will be in grad school somewhere and I can only hope that others will come along through PROJECT and the Longhorn Center for Community Engagement to work with these kids, to be a part of their lives, and to model longevity, sustainability, and commitment.  

     This is where each individual can do their part and hopefully inspire others to do what they can, to make a difference in the lives of a community, in particular, the children.  We have no idea when we begin something the impact that it can have on others.  I hope this will be a project that will impact these kids lives in the years to come.  What starts here truly can change the world......