My Photo scholarship 2011 entry
South Africa | Friday, October 28, 2011 | 5 photos
My name is Leigh Adams Tucker and I’m a 26 year old woman, living and working in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. I am a qualified clinical psychologist but in my current job I am part of a research team for HEARD (Health Economics and HIV/AIDS Research Division), examining curriculum delivery in South African schools.
The photos presented here were collected during fieldwork although they do not relate directly to our research focus. During one such field trip, I met community volunteers who assist in the daily preparation of food for the school nutrition scheme. Although these ladies receive a small stipend from government to do this work, it is clearly their spirit of ubuntu* that drives their efforts. I felt that these efforts in such a challenging reality deserved recognition.
For me, psychotherapy and photography share many similarities – it is an opening of spaces for people to share stories; it’s an activation of emotions; and it demands creativity, reflexivity and authenticity. I believe that in today’s visual culture, images have even more power to help shape people’s understanding and guide healthy life choices.
Although I have a background in media studies, I only invested in my camera last year. Since then, my photographic formula has been: curiosity + opportunity + patience + experimentation. I have aspired to be involved with National Geographic for as long as I can remember and I have prayed that our paths would intersect at some point. I hope these words have provided some insight into me, the impact of this opportunity in my life and the impact that I believe I can make on society. Thank you for your consideration.
*ubuntu – an ancient African word meaning 'humanity to others'. It also means "I am what I am because of who we all are."
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