Fatima Saleh, a determined 20-year old Lebanese girl from Britel, is among the many participants who are exceling in the CBS photography class, run by the Lebanese Organization of Studies and Training (LOST) in Baalbeck-Hermel. LOST has been running the Learning and Skills program in partnership with UNICEF for the past four years, which aims at empowering youth and enhancing their skills through cognitive and instrumental skills.
As her passion for photography grew stronger, Fatima decided to purchase a professional camera, and started a page on Facebook titled “Fatمeh Photography”. Using the skills she learned from the CBS photography class, Fatima began to photograph her friends and advertised her photos on the Facebook page. As her page started to get attention, she began receiving phone calls from residents in Britel to schedule photoshoots, and therefore started generating some income. “I feel empowered because the money I am making helps me to develop my work, and will allow me to purchase a newer camera”, stated Fatima. She is receiving a decent number of customers, and she further explained that she is using the money towards her studies, and her photography needs.
“This experience allowed me to meet new people who became my friends, and introduced me to beautiful places that I did not know before”, Fatima excitedly shared as she spoke about her participation in the CBS photography class. Fatima would like to continue with photography as a talent first, and secondly as a career. Through the Learning and Skills program, many motivated and determined youth such as Fatima are given the opportunity to reach for higher success.
