Changing worlds with photography.

Ageing With A Smile, The Gambia - Photographer Vanessa Tignanelli

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Every year, our photographers and videographers donate hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of their time to document the work of grassroots initiatives that are making a real change in this world where it is most needed. By capturing, honouring and witnessing humanity at its best, we are not only inspiring change, but we are forging new narratives of what is possible. 

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About Ageing With a Smile, The Gambia

Ageing with a Smile Initiative (ASI) is a new and innovative drive launched in The Gambia in January 2010. It aims to improve the lives of elderly people in the country. With a vision of aiding the elderly enjoy good health, remain productive, and to be valued and cared for by society; this organization’s mission is to support the elderly lead healthier and dignified lives. Please visit their website for more info: asigambia.weebly.com

General Information

The mission is to improve access to basic health care services to disadvantaged elderly people in The Gambia; promote the integration of the elderly in Gambian social life; promote intergenerational dialogue and advocate for the rights of the elderly in The Gambia.

In traditional Gambian society, elderly people have always been adequately cared for by family members, neighbours and the wider community. Changes in lifestyle in The Gambia, including economic problems, is forcing individuals and families to be more concerned about their own development than caring for and supporting others. This situation is putting the lives of many disadvantaged elderly people in misery. They are neglected, living without adequate care and suffer in silence.

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Strong visuals make a world of difference to an organization's efforts. They help fundraising initiatives, promotion, and foster support an ocean away! 

About the Photographer

Vanessa Tignanelli is a freelance photojournalist and documentary photographer whose work explores significant social themes. 

Vanessa's curiosity and passion for storytelling has brought her across the globe. In May 2015, she travelled through Germany and Poland with a Holocaust survivor, photographing his return to his painful past, to prevent future genocides through youth education. She befriended a homeless man with a brilliant mind, in hopes of better understanding his unique and philosophical take on society as an outsider. Recently, she has been documenting the difficult situation faced by a son caring for his bipolar, drug-addicted father. Vanessa finds inspiration on the fringes of society and within the homes of the otherwise misunderstood, giving her subjects a powerful voice while encouraging the audience to consider an ulterior, more empathetic perspective. 

It is for these reasons that we have selected Vanessa from amongst thousands of photographers to tell this story. Like many who have been captured by Vanessa's camera, the elderly of The Gambia are the forgotten ones of their community. It takes a photographer with a gentle step to represent those who are made to believe they no longer serve a purpose. Vanessa's mission is to communicate the current state of Gambian society, the struggles faced by the elderly, and the volunteers working tirelessly to support them. Documentation will include coverage of local programs, community-based health screening programs and clinics, home-based health care initiatives, seminars and other outreach and health awareness efforts within the community. Her photographs will help Ageing With a Smile achieve their mission to promote the integration of the elderly in Gambian social life, promote intergenerational dialogue, and help advocate for the rights of the elderly in The Gambia.

To learn more about Vanessa and to view her online portfolio, visit  www.vanessatignanelli.com.

You can help by supporting our photographer Vanessa Tignanelli and aid the mission of ASI.

Each of our official photographers/videographers is assigned a GroupRev fundraising page by PWB upon acceptance. These pages are a privilege we offer that are intended to make our programs accessible to all and enable our volunteer photographers/videographers to raise their program fees and subsidize or cover these necessary project-related expenses:

• Airfare
• Visa's
• Vaccinations
• Health Insurance
• Travel Insurance

The following expenses are the sole responsibility of the photographer/videographer:

• Privately arranged travel / Equipment & Equipment Insurance / Software / Extra Baggage Fees / Donation perks / Clothing / Postage/Postcard / Prints / Etc.

Photographers Without Borders® (PWB) envisions a world where we all put ourselves in each others' shoes and work together. Our mission is to inform and inspire positive change by visually communicating the ways that grassroots initiatives are addressing problems in their communities. PWB is registered as a charity in the United States with 501(c)(3) status and is registered as a not-for-profit organization in Canada. All donations are calculated in US Dollars and are tax-deductible for Americans and Canadians with US income.

PWB is not responsible for any donations made outside of these pages.

Any overage amounts raised on GroupRev will be donated with the photographers direction, 100% to the Organization, 100% to PWB or split 50/50, between the photographer's/videographer's assigned cause and PWB, which is also a volunteer-run organization.

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All donations are calculated in US Dollars and are tax-deductible for Americans and Canadians with US income.