Donor Stewardship Through a Single Frame
Donor reports often rely on numbers, achievements, and well-written summaries to convey progress. While these are important, sometimes the most profound understanding of our work comes from something far simpler: a photograph taken by one of our students.
This became clear when we shared an image taken by one of our students, Phiona Kayinza, with our donors through a letter-writing expression of gratitude. We are big believers in doing donor stewardship the right way. It was not part of a campaign or an official report. It was a single photo, offered as an honest glimpse into the kind of stories our students are now learning to tell.
Man in a trench, photo by Phiona Kayinza
Phiona’s Story Through Her Image
The image was taken from inside a trench, looking upward. A young man straddles its edges, hauling up a bucket with effort and focus. His stance is strong, his purpose clear. The earth walls rise steeply around him, contrasting with the open sky above. Nothing in the image feels posed. It is a moment of daily life, full of labour, dignity, and presence. It was also fraught with danger, as those walls could have caved in on Phiona at any time. Something we don't promote is putting our students in danger to get the shot.
When we sent this image to our donor community, it was simply to show what one of our students had captured. But what followed was something more. Donors wrote back. They asked about Phiona. They reflected on the power of the image. Some told us they had never seen a photo like it; one that held emotion, skill, and social context in equal measure.
The photo offered no commentary. It did not need to. It made people pause, and in that pause, they saw our mission more clearly. They understood that Cameras For Girls is not only about teaching photography, but also about teaching young women how to document their lives with honesty and respect. It's about giving them the confidence to tell stories from their perspective.
Phiona is a young Ugandan woman, and in her application to join the program, she shared that she is passionate about visual storytelling and its impact on people’s lives. She wrote that she was eager to be part of Cameras For Girls because she believed in the power of photography to inspire, educate, and bring people together. This image, captured early in her journey with us, speaks directly to that vision.
What True Stewardship Looks Like
This experience reminded us that stewardship is not just about reporting back; it is also about taking action. It is about sharing meaning. It is about showing what our students see. And when that is done well, the connection deepens.
We often hear about storytelling as a fundraising tool. However, for us, ethical storytelling is an integral part of the work itself. It teaches responsibility, representation, and care. It pushes back against extractive and colonial-type narratives that are steeped in stereotypes. It reminds us all to listen more than we speak.
When our donors respond to a single photo with empathy and curiosity, we know something important is happening. The work is no longer abstract. It becomes shared.
Looking Ahead
We will continue to share these glimpses, not for praise or attention, but to honour the work our students are doing. To invite our community into stories that ask us to see differently.
One photo can open that door. Phiona did so with grace and dignity.
Learn more at www.camerasforgirls.org