Dearest supporters, 

Thanks to your support in November, Lensational has grown tremendously over the past few months! In Hong Kong, two of our students have been featured by the South China Morning Post, a leading newspaper in Hong Kong, read here. To our supporters in London, we are hosting our first independent exhibition in the UK, Transit in Doubt, this Thursday, and we hope you can join us. 

Since November, Lensational has become a truly global movement dedicated to empowering women through photography. The map below shows our activities globally and this wouldn't be possible without your initial support! 

A week ago, our photography platform has gone live! For those who haven't received your rewards, please let us know what photos you would like to be printed on your products, at info@lensational.org. 

Thanks for your continous support in our journey!

Best wishes from Team Lensational

Dear crowdfunding supporters, 

Over the past month, the Lensational team has been working hard to confirm partnerships with NGOs in Pakistan. However, things have not gone smoothly. We fell out with one of the NGOs which we previously partnered with, the reason being of an unreasonable charge of 40,000 PKR that Lensational needs to pay them in order to start the photography workshops with 10 of their beneficiaries. This is not something we could afford and through the discussion, we realised that our values may not align with that of the NGO. 

Good news emerged last week - as we confirmed partnerships with other 2 NGOs that resonate with Lensational's vision. One is the Citizens' Commission for Human Development (CCHD), whom we partnered with in September 2013 to provide training to 40 children and teachers at non-formal schools just outside Lahore. With CCHD, we will be equipping the previous programme participants with permanent access to cameras for those who want to continue their photography training. 

The other is a new partnership, with Kashf Foundation, the third-largest microfinance organisation in Pakistan that works with over 200,000 women across the country. We will be starting a pilot programme at their Head Office in the New Garden Town, with 15 of their clients for 4 2-hour photography workshops in late May. We are really excited about this partnership, not only because of Kashf's highly-regarded position in Pakistan but also a partnership with them strengthens the economic empowerment of our women participants. 

However, this means that we can only send you the rewards in May as there has been a delay in confirming the partnerships with NGOs, which are crucial for our sustainable operations in Pakistan. If you want your rewards earlier, please do let us know. We already have photos from Lensational's project in Bangladesh with surf girls and factory workers (read more here) and in Hong Kong with domestic helpers (read more here) - but we do hope to give the photos taken by our women participants in Pakistan as this is what you originally pledged to receive. 

Thanks a lot for your understanding and continuous support! 

Best wishes,
Bonnie