The MY STORY photo project’s fourth annual exhibit opened at Borderline Gallery in Mae Sot on Thursday, April 9, 6 - 9 p.m.  29 students from Mandalay, Nu Poe, and the Karen Youth Organization, as well as migrant school principals exhibited 58 images that tell their stories. Children, fields, markets, weaving, cooking, flowers, and street life are colorfully represented in this show that runs from April 9 through April 27.

For the first time this year, Nat and Susan Tileston, project directors, have trained 9 former students to give the photo workshops in Burmese and Karen. We hope the MY STORY photo project will have a life beyond us, says Susan. Teaching and learning are a lot quicker in one’s native language.

The  MY STORY photo project (MSppa)  gives digital cameras and basic photo instruction to small groups of Burmese and Karen living at the border and beyond.  Students take hundreds and hundreds of photos which they look at and critique as a group. They then edit their work down to 2 images from each student for the Borderline show. From the Borderline Gallery, the show then travels to Canada and the USA. Prints are for sale, with half the proceeds going to the photographer and half going to the MY STORY photo project for the purchase of new cameras.

MSppa is supported by Karen Youth Organization, helpwithoutfrontiers, Borderline Gallery, and the MY STORY photo project association.

For the opening reception, we offered traditional Burmese food and drinks supported by Borderline Tea Shop. As usual the opening reception was held in the evening between 6:00pm and 9:00pm.

For further information please visit: msppa or mystoryphotoproject.

MY STORY photo project 4 art works