00:01This place feels a little like hell on earth and Aliyu Koulibaly ventures right into the middle of it with
00:10his camera.
00:11My role as an artist is to do photography so that it can be sensed, so that others can see
00:19the change in our environment every day takes the impact and takes possession of us.
00:30The towering garbage dump is in the Lifi-Bamanko neighborhood of Badalabougou, known otherwise for its universities.
00:36It's become a symbol of the Malian capital's failure to manage the trash produced by some three million residents.
00:50The young photographer wants officials and residents to stop turning a blind eye.
00:56I'm calling everyone to see our daily lives, to see our environment, which is the image of ourselves.
01:06If I can really call to other authorities, to citizens, to see how we can dominate our way of using
01:17plastic.
01:18While some people do make a living from selling plastic waste, the conditions they work under are extremely unhealthy, which
01:26the photographer also records.
01:32For nearly a century, Bamako has had a tradition of photography.
01:37Portraits are still the main focus today.
01:39The city also hosts an international photo and video arts biennial.
01:44Founded in 1994, it's become the premier venue for contemporary African photography.
01:52Only the themes are changing. More and more photographers in Mali are focusing on the environment.
01:58Like Sedu Kamara, he's been taking photos for more than 20 years and now trains others at his center, some
02:06of whom exhibit internationally.
02:08He and his colleague hold workshops for children in Bamako every year during the school holidays.
02:18For me, photography, it's an instant. It's something that I like.
02:24When I see the other corner of the photo, it makes me want to do the same thing.
02:30Through this interest, the photographers are inspiring the children to take a closer look at the environment.
02:39So, when we are with these children, we form them in photography.
02:42At the same time, we really push them to work, to think about the environment.
02:48It's the question of climate change.
02:51It's a bit like we are on the floor.
02:54We give the opportunity to these children to look at their floor differently.
03:02Through the camera, the children are learning to see the neighborhood of Sutuba with fresh eyes.
03:25Alleyu Koulibaly met Sedu Kamara through a West African photo contest that the center organized to básir.
03:30for the first time this year.
03:32Alio Koulibaly was the entry for Mali.
03:35His themes?
03:37People.
03:40And nature.
03:46He received additional coaching and professional guidance from Kamara.
03:50Both of them are passionate about protecting the environment.
03:54It's not easy for the young photographer to get his pictures out to the public.
03:58Often he lacks the money.
04:00For prints or a venue to exhibit them.
04:03But this time he's managed to do a street exhibition in the Badalabugu neighbourhood.
04:07I was a kid that started from the community, but I was a kid.
04:16I had been a kid, but I was a kid, and I was really tired.
04:23I was a kid that was a kid, and I was a kid.
04:29I was a kid, and I was a kid.
04:44When he needs a break from the city and all the trash,
04:48Ali Koulibaly heads out on his bike.
04:52He goes to the protected Koulouba forest in northern Bamako.
04:56Every time he comes here, he's reminded of why he does what he does.
05:00I like flowers, birds, nature and I like to live in a healthy environment and magnificent environment.
05:11For him, nature is an important refuge where he can recharge his batteries,
05:15ready for his photography work, back in the urban jungle.
