Agnes, a seamstress and dressmaker, was given a camera to document her life, at her home and at her shop. Here, with the help of a translator, she explains the significance of her pictures.
The first picture is of my apprentice. I have two apprentices. My plan is to help a young girl in Tafo who is not working and with no schooling […] just teaching her how to sew.
Next, I want to show my shop to show that [disabled people] too can work. That I don’t need to be at a place begging.
With the pictures of my home, I want you to know how I move in the house. And that where I live there is no piped water, so the well is the only water to use. And when there is nobody in the house I wheel them. It’s not easy, it’s a challenge.
Inside the house, the kids sleep on that bed. And the kids are a gift from God. And I also have a husband.
And these pictures show how I cook, that I have my own kitchen, that I’m independent.
I have a lot of sympathy for animals. When I see fowls, dogs, cats I feel happy.
Back at my shop, here’s the inside. And it shows that though I’m disabled […] God’s willing me to do some work. And I want people also to know. It makes me proud.
And here I want people to see the customers who come in see that I am working on the clothes, but I’m not finished.
One of the apprentices is Muslim. When it’s noon she has to go and pray to Allah. So that’s the water the apprentice uses. I don’t discriminate. I want Muslims and Christians to all come to my shop.
And finally, those are the machines that if I get in addition to my sewing machine the work will really progress.
Focusing a Lens on Ability 