Foto’s Blog: Seeing their faces light up in Costa Rica
Phodographer Kyle Greufe in Costa Rica, August, 2010
Kyle is currently a Peace Corps Volunteer in Costa Rica. He said Dog Meets World has been one of the favorite activities he’s done at his school.
The best part would have to be seeing the faces of the children when they received their pictures, especially for those students whom I think don’t have very many, if any, pictures of themselves. The faces of these children were fixed on the printer, watching their image take shape, and then their faces lit up when they got to receive their own personal picture, for free, to enjoy. (Each picture comes with the date printed on it, so they can remember when it was taken.) Those were the kids that really made the project worth while. For these reasons, Dog Meets World is a great project to share with those who haven’t shared the same opportunities I may have had as a child. And I think the smiles in the photos speak for themselves.
Foto’s Blog: Foto stars in Dog Fancy Magazine
The December issue of Dog Fancy Magazine, the world’s most widely read dog magazine, is highlighting our photo diplomacy project! As Dog Fancy is the comprehensive resources for all things dog, it makes sense to see an article (page 12) under FUN DOG about how Dog Meets World is using Foto, our small stuffed dog to meet and greet, set the stage, and help fetch photos for kids and families in need around the world. Foto is the mascot, the ice-breaker, posing buddy, symbol of peace and love (check out the paw prints) and unifier of all the photos. Read our story and get involved!
Foto’s Blog: Over 5000 Photos Distributed!!
Founder Carolyn Lane with kids shouting for joy with first photos in Haiti!
PhoDOGrapher Joanelle Mulrain writes:
A picture is worth a thousand words.
And now more than a thousand smiles.
Since the genesis of Dog Meets World in October 2008, this global photo diplomacy project has been embraced by more than 150 phoDOGraphers (volunteer photographers), who have distributed over 5,000 to children (adults) many of whom have never seen a picture of their beautiful faces before. In 37 countries, this humble program continues to spread diplomacy worldwide and be a bridge of peace from Niger to Panama, Ghana to India, and now from Jamaica to Tibet. Starting with a single “click” – truly the power of one photograph transcends hatred and racial unrest as well as poverty and neglect, and it can bring to some real affirmation and a smile.
This is the global goal of Dog Meets World…the journey of our little ambassador dog setting the stage for a child’s first photo – it touches the hearts of children around the world and enhances self-esteem and character while bringing smiles of happiness and a permanent memory!
Foto’s Blog: Blind children meet Foto in Tibet!
Phodographer Patrick Firouzian in Lhasa, Tibet, October 2010
Patrick packed Foto on his second trip to add Dog Meets World to his Global Roots work. This time he took Foto along to Braille without Borders in Lhasa. Global Roots is helping a kindergarten project…In the school, the children discovered Foto the puppy, sensing all its shapes and textures. “Ki! Ki!” (means: dog) they screamed after just a few seconds! Patrick recommends every Lhasa visitor to go to the Braille without Borders school to say Hi to the children, bring some milk, teach them some new words, play with them. They really enjoy another window to the world.
Foto’s Blog: Making Friends in Jungle Junction Zambia
Phodographer Samantha Coffin in Jungle Junction, Zambia May 2010
Samantha recounts: I can’t believe it feels like just yesterday I was backpacking through Zambia, a small butterfly shaped country in Africa. Zambia was full of life, spirit and love yet on every street corner in the city of Livingstone stores were closed and poverty was everywhere. I then left the city to go to Jungle Junction, with backpackers on an island in the middle of the Zambezi river. The island was far from the city and deep down dirt roads. Immediately I was greeted by the families living on the edge of the river. Each day we were canoed back to the main land and learned from the community. After a few days of cultural orientation I decided to introduce Dog Meets World to all my new friends. They first prepared a huge traditional meal of pumpkin leaves, okra and several other dishes. I then showed the adults what I was going to do and quickly the news spread throughout the community. They were the most quiet, gentle and most appreciative people I had ever met throughout my entire abroad experience.
Now that I am back in Massachusetts, wrapping up my senior year of college, I still keep in touch with the woman that runs the backpackers group, Evelyn Roe. She is helping the community build a school so the children can actually attend grammar school instead of walking many miles or never attending any proper school. I only saw as concrete blocks.
Dog Meets World is more than taking a picture and handing it to a child. It is about building international relationships, becoming part of communities and becoming a part of a new family. I will always be welcome as a member of the Jungle Junction family.
Take a picture, hand it over with a smile and a hug and spread the love!