"We are now witnessing the highest levels of displacement on record.

An unprecedented 65.3 million people around the world have been forced from home. Among them are nearly 21.3 million refugees, over half of whom are under the age of 18."

- UNHRC

Background

Last year, more than 350 000 people arrived into Europe by sea, fleeing from countries such as Afghanistan, Eritrea,Gambia, Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, Syria, South Sudan and Somalia. These numbers are only increasing. Numbers are often all we hear about a crisis and the people who have suffered as a result, but numbers make it impossible for us to empathize and relate to people on a personal level. Behind these numbers is human suffering, personal struggles and stories that are left untold, ‘A Voice for A Refugee’ is about telling these stories.

In 2016 my first project ‘Kaikala Exhibition, India Collection’, raised $5000 for the Cobra and Mongoose Charity Group. This project raised money for the children in the remote Village of Kaikala in Eastern India through a photography exhibition, showcasing stories and memories from my time in India. For more information and photos this project, please visit http://thomasjamesparrish.com/projects/ .

By combining my passion of photography and travel, I realised that I could help people. Those who are left forgotten in the world, and hide their stories behind their struggles, are the ones who have the most to say and the most to teach.

This year my focus has moved to the refugee crisis taking place in Europe. I realised that I only know large scale statistics about refugees and those who are displaced primarily by conflict and fear of their own safety, rather than any great detail of what they have endured and why they have chosen to leave their homes. I want to find out for myself, and I want to share this with you.

A Voice for a Refugee

In April, I will travel to Europe to meet and talk to as many people who are refugees as possible. I want to hear and share the individual stories that are otherwise lost in the overload of statistics and overwhelming numbers. I plan to meet these people, listen to them, take their photograph, film our conversations and spread their stories. Through this project I hope to shine a light on these stories and have them heard the way they deserve to be, by a greater audience, through the use of photography, written accounts and a documentary.

The purpose of the project is to raise money, where funds (after costs) go towards charities and NGOs that are best helping and representing the needs of the refugees. I will meet with charities and NGOs on the ground and work with them to understand who is best supporting and representing the cause. Following my work, I will hold a photography exhibition as well as a series of written articles and a supporting documentary.

I don't work for a news engine, I don't represent a magazine and I don't report on behalf of a newspaper. I don't have professional support or sponsorship backing, so your support in helping me get this project off the ground couldn't be more appreciated. Sponsorship is a much needed investment I need to complete this project, raise awareness and raise funds upon return through exhibition, and to be able to take it as far as possible in order to maximise the return for the people who are so brave to share their stories.

What will your money go towards?

Your support will go towards the operational costs of the program:

- costs of transport

- equipment hire

- care packages

- photogaphy exhibition expenses including printing, framing and venue hire.

- documentary expenses eg. editing and colouring costs. Venue hire for screenings

Once these costs have been covered, donations will go back to a chosen charity. During the project I will be working with a number of organisations and charities who have agreed to aid me through advice, contacts and helping me with access and meetings. Through these meetings i will be able to best determine which groups do the best and most effective work, and will do the most good with th donations we will provide.

A full monthly report will be provided to those who have donated detailing where their money has been spent and providing a progress report on the program.

What's in it for you?

Every donation of $50 (AUS = 35GBP) will put your name into the draw to win one of 3 framed original photographs, as well as the chance at free tickets to the photography exhibition and documentary screening.

About Thomas

Thomas is an Australian photographer, musician and travel writer driven by a passion for exposing often overlooked social issues. This first begun when Thomas ignited his interest in music, writing songs that explored common social themes and ignorances, which led to the release of his debut EP 'IGNORANCE'. In 2014 Thomas became a vegan and activist for the animal rights movement, aiming to raise awareness through an understanding of the cruel and exploitative practices that occur within not only the farming industry, but all industries concerning animal welfare. Through veganism, Tom has met and worked with a series of inspiring individuals who have led him all over the world, through India, Africa and now to Europe. Thomas is not satisfied with the world as it stands, he wants to do everything he can to draw attention to the world’s inequalities, its unfairness and misrepresentations, its forgotten truths, and foster a community that stands up for a better human consciousness.

This website and the projects it showcases are Thomas’ expression of the dark side of a humanity that remains hopeful of a better future. Through Thomas’ photos, his blogs, his research and his documentaries, Thomas wants to take you on a personal journey to understand a new perspective of looking at humanity and mother nature, and with any luck, convince you that you can make the world a better place, to have you believing again in the power of the individual, and the difference one person can truly make.

www.thomasjamesparrish.com

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