Hidden From Society

• Prize
  Gold in People/Children
• Photographer
  Matilde Simas
• Agency / Studio
  Matilde Simas
• Technical Info
  Leica Q; 28mm
• Photo Date
  February 2020
• Website
  http://www.matildesimas.com

In many countries, like Ethiopia, a child with a physical disability is often isolated and hidden in their home. Misinformation has led to people believing that supernatural forces are the reasons for disability. In an effort to document this issue, I traveled to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Over 5000 physically disabled children wait for healthcare at the CURE Children's Hospital. The project aims to advocate for increased funding to support these children, to change attitudes, and to give others a fresh look at the abilities—not disabilities—of these kids, is paramount.

• Biography
  Award-winning freelance photographer, Matilde Simas is a storyteller, educator, and the founder of Capture Humanity. Specializing in crafting ethical visual storytelling content for academic and NGO's around the world. Matilde leverages the power of visual storytelling to inform, provoke discussions, and inspire action. She achieves this by public speaking and exhibiting her work in museums, galleries, and public spaces. Her work on human trafficking has been widely exhibited by various UN agencies.
• Awards
  Matilde’s work has led to collaborations with many community-based organizations including Freedom for All, Voice of the Free Philippines, ChildVoice Uganda and HAART Kenya. Her work has appeared in the U.S. State Department TIP Report, Kenyan Directory of Service Providers for Trafficking Persons, the Guardian and others. Matilde's speaking engagements include: Guest for Good at Harvard University, Social Documentary Network Boston, Photography Matters at Northampton Center for the Arts, Human Trafficking in Kenya at Boston University, Photography for Social Change at Dean College, Human Trafficking through Pictures Chilton Club Boston and others. Beyond photography, Matilde is passionate about volunteering and traveling. When she doesn't have a camera in her hands, it's probably because she's planning her next journey.