By: Claire Regenstreif
Staff Writer
Junior Ryan Doyle incorporated his two passions for photography and helping others through his trip to Kenya and his own photo gallery inspired by his journey.
Doyle takes part in the charity The Kilgoris Project, a local, non-profit organization that helps educate and feed civilians of Kilgoris, Kenya through visits. He had the opportunity to take a trip to Kenya for nine days over summer to help and observe the 5,000 people of Kilgoris. Doyle then decided to create a photo gallery to emphasize the importance of the organization for Costa students.
“The Kilgoris Project mostly focuses on teaching the people how to do important tasks like reading and writing,” Doyle said. “They became absolutely ecstatic just from our help.”
Doyle intended to make a documentary showcasing his experience but decided the still photos had a greater effect. The gallery contains pictures of people partaking in daily activities ranging from attending school to hunting for food.
“The opportunity to go to Kilgoris was incredible because it improved my photography skills by allowing me to focus on people,” Doyle said. “It was an unforgettable experience to see their happiness come from our help.”
According to Doyle, the people of Kilgoris were excited to have their pictures taken because they were not used to seeing cameras.
“It’s so rewarding to know the effect you can have on people by simply helping,” Doyle said. “The conditions in Kilgoris are so bad, just taking pictures puts a smile on their faces.”
To spread awareness for the charity, Doyle started a photo gallery at school to attract more of an interested audience. The pictures show the people’s excitement for the organization’s help, but they also depict the hardships the people of Kilgoris endure.
“This was my opportunity to broaden my audience because I feel that the my photos put reality into perspective,” Doyle said.
Art teacher Katherine Martin was the first to view the photos and helped persuade Doyle to create the gallery. According to Doyle, several students took interest in the gallery because the photos were so different from the usual art displays on campus.
“Doyle’s gallery is special because it is in service of a greater good,” Martin said. “He presents us with a new, different look into society.”
In the future, Doyle plans to become a full-time artist and attend college for film or photography. By the end of this year, he hopes to open another gallery at Costa.
“I want to spend the rest of my life creating art, whether it be photography or film, as long as I can spread my passion to an interested audience,” Doyle said.
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