Our Mission
We support young African women to claim space, shift narratives, and build careers in male-dominated media by training them in photography and ethical storytelling.
Needs We Address
Poverty gender equality women's empowerment job creation in Africa for women lack of adequate training low access to tools like a camera for job access
Website
Phone
Office
Po Box 163
Manilla, ON K0M2J0
Canada
DBA
Uganda
Registered Country
Canada
Country Registration Number
715593075RR0001
Name
Amina Mohamed
Phone
+1 4166975443
Title
Founder & Executive Director
amina@camerasforgirls.org
Countries We Work In
About the communities we work in
We work with university partners in our host countries to recruit young women who want to enter the male-dominated media industries. In many African countries, women graduate from journalism programs but lack practical skills and equipment like cameras, which are crucial for securing paid media jobs. Male-
dominated media houses often use this gap to silence women's voices, perpetuating gender inequality. CFG addresses this by equipping women with the tools and skills to claim their rightful space in the media industry, fostering gender equality
and amplifying diverse voices.
Our Mission
We support young African women to claim space, shift narratives, and build careers in male-dominated media by training them in photography and ethical storytelling.
Website
DBA
Uganda
Needs We Address
Poverty gender equality women's empowerment job creation in Africa for women lack of adequate training low access to tools like a camera for job access
Phone
Registered Country
Canada
Country Registration Number
715593075RR0001
Office
Po Box 163
Manilla, ON K0M2J0
Canada
Name
Amina Mohamed
Phone
+1 4166975443
Title
Founder & Executive Director
amina@camerasforgirls.org
Countries We Work In
About the communities we work in
We work with university partners in our host countries to recruit young women who want to enter the male-dominated media industries. In many African countries, women graduate from journalism programs but lack practical skills and equipment like cameras, which are crucial for securing paid media jobs. Male- dominated media houses often use this gap to silence women's voices, perpetuating gender inequality. CFG addresses this by equipping women with the tools and skills to claim their rightful space in the media industry, fostering gender equality and amplifying diverse voices.
Mission
We support young African women to claim space, shift narratives, and build careers in male-dominated media by training them in photography and ethical storytelling.
Vision
By 2030, we aim to empower 30,000 women across seven African countries to use photography and storytelling to challenge gender inequality and shape a more just and inclusive media landscape.
Short-term Goals
• Train 60 young women in Uganda in photography, ethical storytelling, and professional development in 2025.
• Provide 60 cameras to students, ensuring they have the tools to succeed.
• Increase job placement rates, helping more graduates secure paid work in journalism, photography, and media-related fields, via our Monthly Donor Program, The Creators.
• Expand mentorship programs, connecting students with experienced professionals for guidance and career growth.
• Grow donor and partnership support, securing sustainable funding to scale impact.
• Hire a fractional fundraiser to help us source critical funding.
Long-term Goals
• Establish our Nonprofit status in Uganda.
• Expand into new countries: Build programming in Kenya (2025), South Africa (2026), Ghana (2027), Nigeria (2028), Ethiopia (2029).
• Strengthen brand recognition: Establish a well-known and trusted brand that attracts sponsors and long-term funding.
• Sustain training programs: Maintain a rolling Train the Trainer program, once we hit a threshold of 60 graduates from which to recruit from.
• Build a strong team: Develop a dedicated staff in both Canada and Africa to manage and balance organizational needs.
• Create a reliable trainer network: Establish a consistent pool of photographers and trainers in each country to ensure high-quality education.
• Ensure sustainability in Uganda: Fully establish operations in Uganda so the Executive Director can step away to focus on expansion, bringing in local photographers to lead future training.
Value Statement
At Cameras For Girls, we believe in equity, dignity, and the power of self-representation. Our work is guided by a commitment to shifting narrative power into the hands of African women, who have long been spoken about but rarely given the tools to speak for themselves.
We prioritize ethical storytelling, challenging colonial frames, and fostering spaces where women can tell their own stories on their own terms. We value long-term relationships, not one-time training. We walk alongside our participants, supporting their professional journeys, celebrating their successes, and advocating for the systemic changes they tell us are needed.
We challenge gender inequality in media by confronting the biases and barriers that keep women from being hired, heard, and paid. Our values include solidarity over charity, voice over visibility, and structural change over surface fixes.
We are accountable first to the women we work with. Everything we do is shaped by listening, learning, and co-creating with them.
Elevator Speech
Cameras For Girls uses photography as a catalyst for gender equality in Africa. We provide young women with cameras, practical training in photography, ethical storytelling, and business skills so they can break into male-dominated media industries. Our graduates are securing paid jobs as journalists and photographers, challenging gender norms, and reshaping the narratives of their communities. This isn’t just about taking photos—it’s about creating opportunities, amplifying women’s voices, and driving lasting change.
Amina Mohamed Founder/Executive Director since 2018 amina@camerasforgirls.org +1 416-697-5443 LinkedIn Profile
Debbie Singh Board Chair since 2018 debbiesingh@yahoo.com LinkedIn Profile Active Monthly
Cristina Sacco Board Member since 2018 cristina@boygirlphotography.ca LinkedIn Profile Active Monthly
Kelsie McKay Board Member since 2018 kelsie.mckay@georgiancollege.ca LinkedIn Profile Active Monthly
Kemi Saliu Board Member since 2018 kemi.saliu@gmail.com LinkedIn Profile Active Quarterly
Salim Fakirani Board Member since 2018 sfakirani@rogers.com LinkedIn Profile Active Quarterly
Adrian Wilczek Board Member since 2018 adrian.wilczek@outlook.com LinkedIn Profile Active Quarterly
Total Volunteers
8
Website
Yearly Volunteer Hours
90
Written Plan
Structured Program
Yes
Waiver
Nonprofits
None
Community Groups, Coalitions, Collaboratives
None
Corporations
None
Strengths
Strong mission and vision • Uniquely positioned to provide professional business and technical photography skills to girls and women across Africa. • Combined 20+ years of experience among staff and skilled volunteers • Continued training is available from online resources through Zoom, other collaborators, and our purpose-built video training platform. • Support from the global photography community. • All digital platforms (web, social, email, video) not fully optimized • Have charity status as of Sept 25, 2021
N/A
Weaknesses
Issues with acquiring more funding, especially government funding in Canada, due to the structure of our organization. • We don't have a large enough online presence, although it is steadily growing. • Consistently understaffed (one-woman show!) • Small donor base. • Volunteers that come and go.
N/A
Opportunities
Train the Trainer program launching June 2024 + Expansion to Kenya + 2 regular programs in Uganda and Tanzania to run concurrently
N/A
Threats / Challenges
THREATS:
Larger charitable organizations with more significant social presence attract more
donations.
• Financial capacity of donors in difficult economic times.
• Hesitation from acquiring new donors while the economy slowly bounces back from the
global pandemic.
• Growing too quickly, which will hinder our overall growth.
OPPORTUNITIES (NOT CHALLENGES):
Build a robust online presence AFTER reviewing a thorough branding & messaging exercise.
• Build greater support from donors & other organizations as well as corporate donors.
• Acquire foundational & corporate grants.
• Registering in Africa first will give us a greater presence on the continent while
attracting donors.
• Expand programs to additional countries, which will support our growth.
• Building out our "train the trainer" program will allow us to sustain and grow the charity while allowing Amina to focus on the organization's growth.
• Expansion of our “gender policy” as a means to reach across the aisle and work
with people who we might not have considered as potential partners.
Mission
We support young African women to claim space, shift narratives, and build careers in male-dominated media by training them in photography and ethical storytelling.
Vision
By 2030, we aim to empower 30,000 women across seven African countries to use photography and storytelling to challenge gender inequality and shape a more just and inclusive media landscape.
Value Statement
At Cameras For Girls, we believe in equity, dignity, and the power of self-representation. Our work is guided by a commitment to shifting narrative power into the hands of African women, who have long been spoken about but rarely given the tools to speak for themselves. We prioritize ethical storytelling, challenging colonial frames, and fostering spaces where women can tell their own stories on their own terms. We value long-term relationships, not one-time training. We walk alongside our participants, supporting their professional journeys, celebrating their successes, and advocating for the systemic changes they tell us are needed. We challenge gender inequality in media by confronting the biases and barriers that keep women from being hired, heard, and paid. Our values include solidarity over charity, voice over visibility, and structural change over surface fixes. We are accountable first to the women we work with. Everything we do is shaped by listening, learning, and co-creating with them.
Short-term Goals
• Train 60 young women in Uganda in photography, ethical storytelling, and professional development in 2025. • Provide 60 cameras to students, ensuring they have the tools to succeed. • Increase job placement rates, helping more graduates secure paid work in journalism, photography, and media-related fields, via our Monthly Donor Program, The Creators. • Expand mentorship programs, connecting students with experienced professionals for guidance and career growth. • Grow donor and partnership support, securing sustainable funding to scale impact. • Hire a fractional fundraiser to help us source critical funding.
Long-term Goals
• Establish our Nonprofit status in Uganda. • Expand into new countries: Build programming in Kenya (2025), South Africa (2026), Ghana (2027), Nigeria (2028), Ethiopia (2029). • Strengthen brand recognition: Establish a well-known and trusted brand that attracts sponsors and long-term funding. • Sustain training programs: Maintain a rolling Train the Trainer program, once we hit a threshold of 60 graduates from which to recruit from. • Build a strong team: Develop a dedicated staff in both Canada and Africa to manage and balance organizational needs. • Create a reliable trainer network: Establish a consistent pool of photographers and trainers in each country to ensure high-quality education. • Ensure sustainability in Uganda: Fully establish operations in Uganda so the Executive Director can step away to focus on expansion, bringing in local photographers to lead future training.
Elevator Speech
Cameras For Girls uses photography as a catalyst for gender equality in Africa. We provide young women with cameras, practical training in photography, ethical storytelling, and business skills so they can break into male-dominated media industries. Our graduates are securing paid jobs as journalists and photographers, challenging gender norms, and reshaping the narratives of their communities. This isn’t just about taking photos—it’s about creating opportunities, amplifying women’s voices, and driving lasting change.
Amina Mohamed Founder/Executive Director since 2018 amina@camerasforgirls.org +1 416-697-5443
Debbie Singh Board Chair since 2018 debbiesingh@yahoo.com Active Monthly
Cristina Sacco Board Member since 2018 cristina@boygirlphotography.ca Active Monthly
Kelsie McKay Board Member since 2018 kelsie.mckay@georgiancollege.ca Active Monthly
Kemi Saliu Board Member since 2018 kemi.saliu@gmail.com Active Quarterly
Salim Fakirani Board Member since 2018 sfakirani@rogers.com Active Quarterly
Adrian Wilczek Board Member since 2018 adrian.wilczek@outlook.com Active Quarterly
Total Volunteers
8
Yearly Volunteer Hours
90
Structured Program
Yes
Website
Written Plan
Waiver
Nonprofits
None
Community Groups,
Coalitions,
Collaboratives
None
Corporations
None
Strengths
Strong mission and vision • Uniquely positioned to provide professional business and technical photography skills to girls and women across Africa. • Combined 20+ years of experience among staff and skilled volunteers • Continued training is available from online resources through Zoom, other collaborators, and our purpose-built video training platform. • Support from the global photography community. • All digital platforms (web, social, email, video) not fully optimized • Have charity status as of Sept 25, 2021
N/A
Weaknesses
Issues with acquiring more funding, especially government funding in Canada, due to the structure of our organization. • We don't have a large enough online presence, although it is steadily growing. • Consistently understaffed (one-woman show!) • Small donor base. • Volunteers that come and go.
N/A
Opportunities
Train the Trainer program launching June 2024 + Expansion to Kenya + 2 regular programs in Uganda and Tanzania to run concurrently
N/A
Threats / Challenges
THREATS: Larger charitable organizations with more significant social presence attract more donations. • Financial capacity of donors in difficult economic times. • Hesitation from acquiring new donors while the economy slowly bounces back from the global pandemic. • Growing too quickly, which will hinder our overall growth. OPPORTUNITIES (NOT CHALLENGES): Build a robust online presence AFTER reviewing a thorough branding & messaging exercise. • Build greater support from donors & other organizations as well as corporate donors. • Acquire foundational & corporate grants. • Registering in Africa first will give us a greater presence on the continent while attracting donors. • Expand programs to additional countries, which will support our growth. • Building out our "train the trainer" program will allow us to sustain and grow the charity while allowing Amina to focus on the organization's growth. • Expansion of our “gender policy” as a means to reach across the aisle and work with people who we might not have considered as potential partners.
Revenue
$87,964
Expenses
$46,912
Funds Spent on Salaries
$14,033
Full-Time Employees
1
Part-Time Employees
0
1-Year Financial Goals
To raise funds for both programs and build capacity funding to hire staff and get our executive director paid a living wage.
5-Year Financial Goals
To build capacity funding, so we can have a small staff to take care of operations, fundraising, and marketing.
To build out programming in Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa, and have sustainable funding sources.
To bring on more corporate sponsors, as well as foundational grants, through both family foundations and office foundations.
Top 5 Funders in Past Year
Estee Lauder Beautiful Forces Grant
In-Kind camera drive
Individual Donor - $10,000
Individual donors - collective
online fundraiser
Top Funding Sources in Past Year
Small donations
Volunteer Program
Grants
Foundations
Website (online donations)
Fundraisers (online)
Revenue
$87,964
Expenses
$46,912
Funds Spent on Salaries
$14,033
Full-Time Employees
1
Part-Time Employees
0
1-Year Financial Goals
To raise funds for both programs and build capacity funding to hire staff and get our executive director paid a living wage.
5-Year Financial Goals
To build capacity funding, so we can have a small staff to take care of operations, fundraising, and marketing. To build out programming in Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa, and have sustainable funding sources. To bring on more corporate sponsors, as well as foundational grants, through both family foundations and office foundations.
Top 5 Funders in Past Year
Estee Lauder Beautiful Forces Grant
In-Kind camera drive
Individual Donor - $10,000
Individual donors - collective
online fundraiser
Top Funding Sources in Past Year
Small donations
Volunteer Program
Grants
Foundations
Website online donations
Fundraisers online
Successes
During this past year at Cameras For Girls, we’ve seen tremendous success. In Uganda, we have now trained 129 young women, with 4 of them advancing to become trainers who are leading the next cohorts. In Tanzania, we have trained 25 women so far, building on our expansion efforts. Of the women who have completed the year-long training in Uganda, 80% have secured paid work in the male-dominated media industry—some as journalists and photographers, others launching careers as consultants. One graduate even started her own photography business, showing how far a single camera and the right training can go in reshaping futures.
Funders
In 2024, Cameras For Girls was honored to be one of only four grantees selected out of 60 applicants to receive the Estée Lauder Beautiful Forces Grant. This support enabled us to scale our Uganda program from 15 to 60 women and launch our first Train the Trainer program, creating a new pathway for sustainability and peer-led growth. In 2023, we received $18,650 from the Tamara Family Foundation (Canada), which funded our very first workshop in Tanzania, held in November 2023. This marked the beginning of our expansion beyond Uganda. We also received $15,000 from the Levante Family through their foundation, Levante Living, dedicated to launching our first Train the Trainer program in June 2024. In addition, our community camera drive raised approximately $8,000, helping offset the cost of cameras provided to participants. Each workshop requires between $8,000 and $10,000 for 15 cameras, depending on market prices and availability.
Challenges
We have experienced challenges in the funding space. We are challenged because we are a registered charity in Canada, but all of our work takes place in Africa. We are looking to mitigate this funding challenge by registering in Africa, which we are currently working on.
Partnerships
Partnerships have been at the heart of how Cameras For Girls has grown its reach and impact. Collaboration allows us to extend opportunities to more young women across Africa and ensures that our students are connected to a wider ecosystem of support, mentorship, and professional pathways. When the pandemic prevented us from returning to in-person workshops, we launched our online training platform. This became more than just a stop-gap solution—it opened doors to building partnerships with organizations that were equally committed to advancing photography, storytelling, and women’s voices. Through these collaborations, we’ve been able to provide access to training and mentorship for young women who might otherwise have been left behind. For our 4-phase, year-long program, we partner with leading universities to identify and support students in journalism and communications: Uganda: Makerere University Tanzania: University of Dar es Salaam Kenya: Aga Khan University (MOU signed June 2024) These partnerships ensure that our training is grounded in academic pathways and reaches young women at a pivotal stage in their professional journey. Through our online learning platform, we have built collaborations with organizations that connect us directly with communities, refugees, and grassroots innovators: SINA – Social Innovation Academy, Uganda Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda Awamu (UK) Uganda Press Photo Award Media Challenge Initiative Together, these collaborations amplify our ability to serve young women in diverse contexts. They help us scale access to photography and storytelling training, expand our mentoring opportunities, and provide direct pathways into the media and creative industries. The benefits of collaboration are clear: our graduates are not only more confident storytellers but are also better connected to employment opportunities, professional networks, and the broader movement for gender equality in media.
Successes
During this past year at Cameras For Girls, we’ve seen tremendous success. In Uganda, we have now trained 129 young women, with 4 of them advancing to become trainers who are leading the next cohorts. In Tanzania, we have trained 25 women so far, building on our expansion efforts. Of the women who have completed the year-long training in Uganda, 80% have secured paid work in the male-dominated media industry—some as journalists and photographers, others launching careers as consultants. One graduate even started her own photography business, showing how far a single camera and the right training can go in reshaping futures.
Challenges
We have experienced challenges in the funding space. We are challenged because we are a registered charity in Canada, but all of our work takes place in Africa. We are looking to mitigate this funding challenge by registering in Africa, which we are currently working on.
Partnerships
Partnerships have been at the heart of how Cameras For Girls has grown its reach and impact. Collaboration allows us to extend opportunities to more young women across Africa and ensures that our students are connected to a wider ecosystem of support, mentorship, and professional pathways. When the pandemic prevented us from returning to in-person workshops, we launched our online training platform. This became more than just a stop-gap solution—it opened doors to building partnerships with organizations that were equally committed to advancing photography, storytelling, and women’s voices. Through these collaborations, we’ve been able to provide access to training and mentorship for young women who might otherwise have been left behind. For our 4-phase, year-long program, we partner with leading universities to identify and support students in journalism and communications: Uganda: Makerere University Tanzania: University of Dar es Salaam Kenya: Aga Khan University (MOU signed June 2024) These partnerships ensure that our training is grounded in academic pathways and reaches young women at a pivotal stage in their professional journey. Through our online learning platform, we have built collaborations with organizations that connect us directly with communities, refugees, and grassroots innovators: SINA – Social Innovation Academy, Uganda Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda Awamu (UK) Uganda Press Photo Award Media Challenge Initiative Together, these collaborations amplify our ability to serve young women in diverse contexts. They help us scale access to photography and storytelling training, expand our mentoring opportunities, and provide direct pathways into the media and creative industries. The benefits of collaboration are clear: our graduates are not only more confident storytellers but are also better connected to employment opportunities, professional networks, and the broader movement for gender equality in media.
Funders
In 2024, Cameras For Girls was honored to be one of only four grantees selected out of 60 applicants to receive the Estée Lauder Beautiful Forces Grant. This support enabled us to scale our Uganda program from 15 to 60 women and launch our first Train the Trainer program, creating a new pathway for sustainability and peer-led growth. In 2023, we received $18,650 from the Tamara Family Foundation (Canada), which funded our very first workshop in Tanzania, held in November 2023. This marked the beginning of our expansion beyond Uganda. We also received $15,000 from the Levante Family through their foundation, Levante Living, dedicated to launching our first Train the Trainer program in June 2024. In addition, our community camera drive raised approximately $8,000, helping offset the cost of cameras provided to participants. Each workshop requires between $8,000 and $10,000 for 15 cameras, depending on market prices and availability.
Train the Trainer Program
Project Starts: 06/05/24
Project Ends: 12/31/24
Location
Manilla , Ontario , Canada
Cost
$33000
Description
Starting June 2024, Cameras For Girls will launch a transformative initiative to empower five female graduates from our existing year-long program. Over six months of comprehensive training, supported by upgraded camera kits like the Canon EOS 6D, they will refine their technical photography and storytelling skills, cultivate confidence, and develop leadership abilities. In Uganda's male-dominated media industry, challenges like harassment and low job retention will be met with mentorship and a hybrid curriculum. Each trainee will receive one-on-one support, navigate challenges, and foster growth. Post-program in January 2025, they will become proficient media professionals and paid trainers for Cameras For Girls, mentoring cohorts of 15 young women each. We will ensure sustainability within our programs through compensation and partnerships and expand our impact from 15 women per year trained with Cameras For Girls to 75 women. Together, we will pave the way for gender parity and opportunity.
Capacity Building
Project Starts: 01/01/25
Project Ends: 12/31/25
Location
Manilla , ON , Canada
Cost
$100000
Partner(s)
Description
We’re seeking flexible, multi-year support to strengthen our staffing, systems, and program delivery, enabling us to continue training young African women in ethical media careers.
Expanded Flagship Program (2025)
Project Starts: 04/01/24
Project Ends: 04/30/25
Location
Kamala , Uganda
Cost
$35500
Partner(s)
Description
Our mission at Cameras For Girls is to enable girls and women to achieve their career aspirations and independence. Young women across Africa encounter numerous barriers on their path to career success, ranging from limited opportunities to cultural biases, systemic harassment, and gender discrimination. Cameras For Girls prepares African women to surmount these challenges and enter paid jobs in media. Our year-long program equips our students with a camera to keep and skills in photography, storytelling, and business. While our primary focus is on young women who want to become journalists, we also nurture talent in photography, communications, and related fields that have traditionally been male-dominated.
Collaboration
Partnerships
-
Nonprofit
Nonprofit Partners
No organizations listed. -
Community Groups, Coalitions, Collaboratives
Community Group, Coalitions, Collaboratives Partners
No organizations listed -
Corporation
Corporation Partners
No organizations listed.
Endorsements
