By Lamin B Barra

A 2-day training workshop on Visual Storytelling and Climate Action officially kicked off at MAJaC today, bringing together 15 photographers, filmmakers, journalists, and digital influencers committed to documenting the realities of climate change in The Gambia.

The workshop, organized by MAJaC in collaboration with Bukunmi Oyewole, an international photographer, and funded by the British High Commission in The Gambia, aims to equip participants with practical storytelling skills to visually capture the impact of climate change on our communities.

At the opening ceremony, the Managing Director of MAJaC, Sang Mendy, and the British High Commissioner to The Gambia, Harriet King, both encouraged participants to take the opportunity seriously and use the knowledge gained to tell stories that not only raise awareness, but prompt action from duty bearers.

 

The lead trainer, renowned Nigerian photographer Bukunmi Oyewole

The lead trainer, renowned Nigerian photographer Bukunmi, guided participants through the significance of visual storytelling in reporting climate issues, emphasizing how compelling images and narratives can shape public understanding and drive climate conversations.

Modou Cham, Principal Officer from the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources

Participants also received an insightful presentation from Modou Cham, Principal Officer from the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources who highlighted the climate reality in The Gambia, providing important context on the environmental challenges affecting communities.

MAJaC Digital Media trainer Lamin B. Barra

Additionally, MAJaC Digital Media trainer Lamin B. Barra engaged participants on Ethics, Power & Representation in Climate Storytelling, emphasizing the responsibility storytellers have to represent communities accurately, ethically, and with dignity when documenting climate impacts.

As part of the practical component of the training and guided by Momodou B.K. Ceesay, Director of Operations, National Disaster Management Agency, participants embarked on a guided field trip to select climate hotspots, where they began documenting real-life climate stories through their lenses.

The training continues tomorrow with sessions focused on story selection and caption writing, key skills that will help participants transform their visuals into powerful climate narratives.

#MAJaC #ClimateAction #VisualStorytelling #ClimateChange #TheGambia