Log 2 Part 2

Prior to our second visit on Wednesday - 27th September, the group made necessary preparations such as drafting a project proposal for Eztelle, creating our photovoice briefing slides and purchasing disposable cameras from Bugis.

To ensure work efficiency, the group had planned for a few agendas to cover during the course of our second visit and these include:

1. Conducting our photovoice briefing

2. Teaching our participants how to use disposable cameras

3. Lunch bonding session

Maxene conducting the photovoice introductory workshop One of our group members, Maxene, led the photovoice briefing for our research participants. Some of the contents that were covered during the briefing include tips on how to take appropriate photographs, the Do’s and Don'ts of using disposable cameras and the timeline of the photovoice assignment. Expanding on what we’ve gathered from their stories, we gave the girls suggestions on the topics they could explore for their Photovoice assignment. This included low income issues, whereby many found it hard to find a stable job and to buy a house, which in turn, resulted in difficulties in meeting their basic needs, as well as unfair perceptions of them, whereby many often view all transgenders as sex workers and lastly, family as well as loneliness problems. Maxene gave them examples of how they could illustrate these with photography and encouraged the girls to explore how they would like to depict their stories.

In order to build trust - one of the essential and vital components of Photovoice, our team decided to bring the girls out for a meal, to build rapport by getting to know the girls, individually on a more personal level. This proved to be fruitful and thoroughly enjoyable as the girls began to share more intimate details and stories of their lives, one-on-one with the individuals in our group. In lending a listening ear, this allowed us to gain insights on the needs of each individual as well as the common threads running through their needs, which helped us to better consolidate the needs of this transgender community in Singapore.