It is easy to see street kids as victims -- but only if you don't know them. These children have learned to live under conditions that would kill the strongest men and women. They know how to find food, friends, even psychological support. Though they may use pity to increase the money they win by begging, they will always reject being called "pobrecitos" ("poor things," said with a tone of patronizing sympathy).

Though its film school for street children, the Fundación de Organización Comunitaria (Buenos Aires, Argentina) has proven that street kids have an extraordinary visual and aesthetic sensibility. The Escuela de la Imagen (“Image School”) brings together several of the most innovative programs for street kids in Latin America, training street kids in the techniques of digital filmmaking, so that they can tell their own stories. Not only will the resulting documentary raise public consciousness and motivate the actors and directors to get off the street, it will also those who serve street kids about their real capabilities -- and their real needs.

Shine a light will collaborate with agencies in Brasil, Argentina, and Colombia to train street kids in acting, cinematography, script-writing, and editing. Over the course of the year, a professional filmmaker will work four months in each of the participating organizations, helping the kids to use images to tell how they survive, where they eat, where they get their psychological support... After filming is finished, all participants will use the internet to edit the three segments into a coherent documentary.

Funding for this Project is still pending.