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photothought was created by roberto vega peralta
with the dream to help others through art
to remind ourselves that we are all one
all living and sharing this beautiful world
through art, we can all help children obtain an education
we can all help build a better world, one photothought at a time
if you would like to see more of roberto’s work, visit his site: robertovegaperalta.com
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a huge part of the inspiration to give through the sale of each photothought came from blake mycoskie, a visionary entrepreneur who started TOMS.
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Here is a letter i just wrote to him that better explains the story of PhotoThought and the vision for it moving forward:
September 22, 2011
Hi Blake,
In November 2009 I started a photoblog (http://photothought.com/) to share with friends and family and to give my photography to the world.
At the time, I was an architecture intern living the life of my dreams in San Francisco. Coming from Costa Rica, this was in my mind a huge accomplishment. Living in this beautiful city, I thought my life was perfect and complete.
Yet my yearning to help others and make a positive difference in this world has always been too strong.
I started working with Architecture for Humanity in my spare time and was thrilled with the concept of helping communities in need with whatever your talents may be.
I started changing the culture in my office (a very corporate, business as usual environment) by working with others to introduce composting, start a bike club, and grow the corporate social responsibility of the firm.
I got involved with YogaAid and other charity events and became inspired to travel to India.
I was initially going to go through my architecture job to help at a non-profit in India ran by someone from Santa Monica, but when all of that fell through, I decided to go anyways.
My experience in India completely changed me forever.
After seeing the conditions that most people live in, the lack of education and basic services coupled with the extreme contrasts between poverty and wealth, I decided that my life was meant for helping people so they can help themselves and make a positive difference with the gifts I have been given.
I have always been a big TOMS supporter since I heard about them and wore my TOMS shoes all throughout India with my friend, you have to see these pictures! Inspired by the TOMS business model, I decided to transform PhotoThought and turn it into a business that helps children obtain an education. For every PhởtoThought you purchase, a child in need receives aid through education. I am seeking partnerships all over the world to be the recipients of the donations that everyone will contribute by purchasing a PhotoThought. If you know of any great organizations, please let me know.
I have been living in Santa Monica for the past 5 months and now am returning back home to Costa Rica next week to grow PhotoThought. I attended your TOMS eyewear event at the farmers market parking lot and was inspired by all the great energy from everyone at TOMS.
Thank you for inspiring a generation, for showing us all that you can make a living and help others at the same time. I just started reading Start Something That Matters and am inspired to continue the journey that PhotoThought has set me on.
My goal now is to travel to Africa, Oceania, and South America to meet more communities in need, photograph them and share their stories to the world through PhotoThought, with the certainty that these people will receive aid through PhotoThought.
I am starting a Kickstarter soon to raise funds to travel to these places, publish the books and collections from the places I visit, and keep giving Photothoughts out into the world!
I would love to form part of your Start Something That Matters Fund, every little bit of help makes a huge difference! Hope to hear from you soon.
Thank you so much for your passion and hard work!
Pura Vida,
Roberto
please visit Blake’s blog at http://www.toms.com/blog/blog/5 and read his book http://www.startsomethingthatmatters.com/
