Lens on Life Project

🌟 Intern Spotlight: Alondra Angulo 🌟

Today, we celebrate Alondra — a first-generation Cuban-American photographer from Miami who joined Lens on Life as a student just last year and returned this summer as our intern to support our work with youth impacted by the justice system in the South Bronx.

Alondra brought compassion, creativity, and her own lived experience to every session. She reminded our students that art can be a tool for healing and freedom — and she modeled what it means to lead with love.

Her motto, “all love,” shows up in everything she does. Whether behind the camera or guiding others, Alondra’s work is a testament to the power of expression and resilience.

This internship — and much of our New York programming — was made possible thanks to the support of ❤️

We are proud of you, Alo — and grateful for the energy and care you poured into our students this summer. 📸✨

🌟 Monday Motivation! 🌟

We’re so proud to celebrate Erica , one of our Lens on Life Cameroon alumna, who just placed 2nd out of 25 in her first-year defense at the Audiovisual Heritage Training and Conservation Insitute in Yaounde 🙌

On August 20, she presented two original projects:
📺 A TV production on The Importance of Audiovisual Archives for TV Directors
🎙 A radio production on The Role of Good Nutrition

The jury praised her talent, creativity, and preparation — a big step forward as she advances into her second year of studies. Her next milestone will be her final defense in 2026, but this moment shows the power of persistence and passion. 💪✨

Our Lens on Life students in Cameroon are making magic!

Through the Young People Program, they’ve been working on projects centered on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—bringing their own perspectives, creativity, and passion for change to life behind the camera. 🎥📸

The early results are incredible, and we’re so proud to see how our students are using storytelling to spotlight solutions for a better future. We can’t wait to share the finished projects with you soon! 🌟

📸 From Students to Instructors: The Power of Lens on Life

We’re incredibly proud to share that Hussein and Awaz—two of our most dedicated alumni from Arbat Camp in Iraq—are stepping into new roles as instructors in our program.

Both are Syrian refugees who have endured unimaginable challenges: displacement, loss, and the weight of uncertainty. Yet through it all, they discovered a powerful voice behind the camera.

🎓 Their journey from students to teachers is more than a personal milestone—it’s a bold rejection of the world’s low expectations for youth in crisis. Their talent, perseverance, and vision have carried them far beyond the limits others tried to define.

Now, they’re giving back—mentoring the next generation, teaching them not just how to see the world differently, but how to be seen.

This is what it looks like when young people reclaim their narrative.