Shanaya and her sister Nayantara, both students of St. Bridgets Convent Colombo-7 have gained much acclaim for their photography, which they in turn have used to do an amazing project for cancer awareness. These two dynamic girls are a radiant example of how young people can influence positive change.
Q: Shanaya & Nayantara- briefly tell us about yourselves?
We are two sisters attending St. Bridget’s Convent , Colombo 07. I am Shanaya ,17 years and an Advanced Level student while my sister Nayantara is 15 years and an Ordinary Level student.
Q: What inspired you to indulge in photography?
As kids we both had the opportunity in seeing the country as our parents travelled on leisure a lot. During these trips our father never restricted us from using his camera. This was when we were around 9-10 years old. The images we took when developed in print form was much appreciated by many adults as good photography. This encouraged us and our parents gifted me with a new camera and Nayantara was also gifted with her own camera. From this point onwards our newest toy was digital cameras.
Q: Any area of specialised photography?
Overall we do Art photography and street photography. However, both our passions are in wild life photography. During our very young age of 12 and 14 years, we completed the Applied Photographer Course at the Photographic Society of Sri Lanka (PSSL) held at the Lionel Wendt.
Q: How did you connect this hobby to a worthy cause like fighting cancer?
During the same time as above we lost a very close and loved family member to cancer. A subject we didn’t understand at that time.
But we heard many people talking about it. Why wasn’t the disease diagnosed early? Why wait till it spreads? So, this got us thinking that we should get involved even as kids. This was during our emotional time of grief and our parents too didn’t stop us but supported us.
We had loads of very good images and we thought of selling them and funding a good institute that promoted early detection and support cancer patients. So, that’s how we tied up with the Sri Lanka Cancer Society. Then onwards we called this project the ‘photocause.lk’. It’s all about photography for a cause.
Q: Describe how you sell your photos and raise funds for you noble project and its impact?
Initially, we started with internet sales and sales with closely associated friends and family. Then we realised this was tough. So, then we created a new brand called ‘photocause and friends.’
This was a photo competition we had in all schools island wide. This attracted a lot of attention. We converted the prize giving also to an exhibition where people/donors could buy photographs and donate the funds for the Cancer Society. We have done two such exhibitions and both have proved very successful.
We also launched Sri Lanka’s first Cancer Awareness Magazine targeting schools titled ‘Awake and click off cancer’. The objective of this was to make students aware that cancer is not a death sentence. It’s an opportunity to fight and win because if detected early, lives could be saved. That’s why we believe ‘photocause is a lifesaving project’.
Q: Support from your parents and friends at school?
Parents have been very supportive and have helped loads in organising things.
Where school is concerned the Principal, Teachers and friends have supported in organising, donation and also motivation.
Q: Your awards and recognition for Photocasue Project?
We have many a time received recognition through the Sri Lanka Cancer Society. In 2017, the project received the Plaque of Appreciation.
In 2018, The Foundation for Civilian Bravery awarded the project the Gold Medal in the Student category in ‘Civilian Bravery-Social Activity.’
Q: Use of social media platforms to raise awareness, value of social media- when there is much abuse of same mediums by other youth?
Social media is the current trend. That’s why we used social media to launch the Awake magazine concept in digital form. We currently have launched three short videos. The three combined have around 25,000 views. Imagine if we could get just 1 % interested in our message. That’s 250 others. Of this if we can get 25 to visit the hospital for cancer detection, that’s our victory. This attempt we believe could save lives.
Our videos currently focus on ‘detect early’ ‘how to detect breast cancer’ ‘support the fighters’ ‘bald is beautiful’.
Q: Plans for the future in terms of academics and your project?
I, Shanaya, wish to become a lawyer with concentration on child and women’s rights.
Nayantara is yet to make plans and may arrive at her decision after O level exams.
Where ‘Photocause’ is concerned, we plan on continuing to raise funds for the Sri Lanka Cancer society and also raise funds internationally.
Where saving lives through our print and digital magazine is concerned we are in the process of talking to a couple of good directors to make a hard hitting and emotional video or short film which could go viral and convey the most important two messages ‘Detect early-save lives’ and ‘Fight it – you could beat it.’
Q: Any other hobbies and skills?
Where sports are concerned we are both Archers and love the sport. Having done the sport for over five years we find it helps in mind settlement and concentration.
In Arts, we are both classical ballet dancers since the age of 4. This helps a lot in balance and mind discipline.
