Ingewikkeld, a project by Liesbeth Parlevliet

Photos by Lisbeth Parelvliet

We are so proud to support projects like INGEWIKKELD through The Giving Salon. ⠀⠀

Ingewikkeld is a project by Liesbeth Parlevliet (@rawfamiliefotografie) which combines her talent in documentary family photography with her passion for raising awareness about Epidermolysis Bullosa, a crippling genetic disorder that causes extremely fragile skin. One of Liesbeth's children suffered from the disorder so she is determined to use her photography to show the realities of life with Epidermolysis Bullosa.

Haley Shandro in Ghana for Truth X Vision

Photos by Shandro Photo, edited by their editor Gen

When? August 2015

Where? Ghana

What? Documenting the work of Truth X Vision, a non profit organization which helps local Ghanaians help themselves through micro-farming projects and clean water drilling.

From Haley: 

So many words come to mind when I describe my experience in Ghana, but the best way I can explain how I feel after my trip is GRATEFUL.  I live a comfortable life. I work hard, I have the luxury of being able to travel and socialize, I have a fairly low cost of living, and I have family and friends who love and support me. Going to the heart of the poorest neighbourhood in the capital city of Accra shocked me, and all I could feel was gratitude for the life I have.

I think that in North America we know that poverty exists in the world, we hear about third world countries, we see movies and TV shows and infomercials, and even photos like mine.  Until I physically stood there, and met people, and witnessed an entire neighbourhood getting their ‘clean’ water with a bucket out of a dirty hole in the ground I don’t think I really realized what it meant. 

Thank you to Haley for sharing her experience with us, and for volunteering her skill and talent to illustrate the great work of Truth X Vision.

The Image Salon Team Makes Lunch for The Benoît Labre House

Photos by Davina, Daniel, and Reggie.

Our transportation volunteers from left to right: Celine, Stacey, Mandy, Olivier, Benoit Labre House member, Shane, another Benoit Labre House member, Guylaine, Victoria, Molly, and Cassie.

Photo by Reggie.

Our Operations Manager Elise counting supplies as Davina, Cassie, Adrian and Mandy contemplate the task ahead.

The sandwich makers: Molly, Kayla, Mandy, Daniel, Adrian, at work while our Team Happiness Manager Cassie stuffs paper bags in the background.

Cecilia and Katherine (and Haein's hands) on the chopping block.

Sean, independent and focussed on chopping cucumbers while Mandy, Daniel, Adrian, Molly and Kayla work the sandwich station (left). 

Maeve, as she opens yet another can of tuna, declares: "I shouldn't have brought tuna for lunch."

Cassie and Giovanni on packing duty.

Molly, Mandy, Daniel and Adrian working the sandwich assembly line.

Elise, Davina, and Maeve focussed on making sure no food item is forgotten. 

Kevin, Nadine and Celine lend the sandwich station a few helping hands.

Our Co-Founder Davina adds the veggies.

"Giving back is the new black" - Davina's t-shirt is on point for the day's activity!

Kevin swoops in as the sandwich station lags behind.

"We've run out of dip," they suddenly realize. Luckily Oli saves the day (even though the miscalculation may have been his fault) and runs out to get more. 

The delivery crew outside the Benoît Labre House. 

Photo by Reggie.

The Image Salon team did something different for their monthly get-together and put their teamwork skills to the test to make 160 meals for our local homeless community. We turned our staff kitchen into a chopping, spreading, stuffing and ziplocking station and in a mere 90 minutes, we had all the meals prepped and ready to go. Our transportation volunteers happily delivered them to the Benoît Labre House where they were distributed to hungry individuals. It was a small contribution but it felt good to get our hands dirty and give back to our community!