{"id":18316,"date":"2021-09-02T12:37:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-02T04:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/?p=18316"},"modified":"2025-07-25T11:11:06","modified_gmt":"2025-07-25T03:11:06","slug":"curtin-commons-a-voice-for-the-voiceless-a-conversation-with-marcus-wong-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/curtin-commons-a-voice-for-the-voiceless-a-conversation-with-marcus-wong-1\/","title":{"rendered":"A voice for the voiceless: a conversation with Marcus Wong"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-sm-font-size\"><em>Image: Marcus Wong in Bangladesh. Photo supplied by Marcus Wong.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-sm-font-size\"><strong>Author |  Luisa Mitchell<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Australian photographer and filmmaker Marcus Wong strongly believes you can\u2019t care about something you\u2019ve never seen, and has made it his mission to share the voices of the voiceless with the world. &nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During his studies at Curtin University (BA Screen Arts, Creative Advertising and Graphic Design, 2018), Marcus travelled to the Rafiki Africa Ministries children\u2019s home in Uganda on a volunteer trip. Utilising his creative skills, he worked to raise funds and build awareness of the organisation, and upon his return to Australia, staged an exhibition of his photographs which raised an additional $8,000 for the home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We spoke to Marcus about his photography, inspiration and how he uses his art to support communities suffering from violence and poverty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hi Marcus. Can you tell us what your job entails?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>My role is as a media consultant, working with small charities to create photographs and films they can use to raise awareness and funds for their organisation. I try to secure funding through grants so I can volunteer my time and provide media content for small charities in developing countries that have fascinating stories and do amazing work, at no cost to their charity.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Rafiki Africa Ministries\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/302fSe5W5eY?start=206&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-sm-font-size\"><em>Video filmed and edited by Marcus Wong for Rafiki Africa Ministries during his studies at Curtin University.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">You started fundraising for charities at an early ages. What drives you to help people?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>I think a lot of my drive comes from my church background and the way my parents raised me. From a young age it was ingrained into me to look out for other people and treat them like you\u2019d want to be treated. I grew up with quite a strong work ethic and have always found inspiration by watching other people create. I think my eye and taste is always ahead of my ability, so I\u2019ve never been quite happy with anything I\u2019ve made, but I\u2019m always learning and growing to catch up to my expectations of myself.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/DSC7042-Edit-1000x500.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4612\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/DSC7042-Edit-1000x500.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/DSC7042-Edit-740x370.jpg 740w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/DSC7042-Edit-480x240.jpg 480w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/DSC7042-Edit-1260x630.jpg 1260w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What was your experience in Uganda like?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>My trip to Uganda was my first time flying internationally without my parents. It was just me, 19 years old, going to live with strangers for three months. It was terrifying. But being so immersed in the culture and with the locals \u2013 it was like having a second family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I now think of my role there as like a Swiss army man. One part was creating media content for this organisation and the other part was looking after 21 kids of different ages &#8211; running activities with them, changing diapers, helping with their homework and lots of dancing. We danced every night.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/DSC4879-1000x500.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4615\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/DSC4879-1000x500.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/DSC4879-740x370.jpg 740w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/DSC4879-480x240.jpg 480w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/DSC4879-1260x630.jpg 1260w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/DSC4879-1520x760.jpg 1520w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/DSC4879-1920x960.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What were your biggest takeaways from this volunteering experience?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>I realised how much I complained! I used to whinge about such trivial things, but after three months meeting people in developing communities who were surviving through subsistence farming where their livelihood was based on the performance of their agricultural produce, I realised my complaining was quite shallow. Now, if things don\u2019t go my way, I remember how fortunate I am.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/DSC7758-1000x500.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4618\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/DSC7758-1000x500.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/DSC7758-740x370.jpg 740w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/DSC7758-480x240.jpg 480w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/DSC7758-1260x630.jpg 1260w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/DSC7758-1520x760.jpg 1520w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/DSC7758-1920x960.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The photos you took in Africa are stunning. What are your secrets to taking such beautiful portraits?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>I avoid taking quick snapshots of the first thing I see, and instead slow down to get to know the person\u2019s story and their situation. I can then photograph with intentionality so the images can complement their story. I always note the camera height in relation to the subject, especially if they are sitting down or are a child, and move the camera down to their eye level. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My main focus is capturing the individual in a way that is intimate and personal, as if a viewer could see them and imagine having a conversation with them. Often the subjects are stuck in poverty because of circumstances they were born into, and I use the background to represent this in my photographs. By having the background out of focus, you are drawn to the subject and the potential they have as an individual to contribute to the world. However, the background is never completely removed from the shot, as it is a reminder of the obstacles of poverty that need to be overcome.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/DSC8671-1000x500.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4616\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/DSC8671-1000x500.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/DSC8671-740x370.jpg 740w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/DSC8671-480x240.jpg 480w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/DSC8671-1260x630.jpg 1260w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/DSC8671-1520x760.jpg 1520w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/DSC8671-1920x960.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The bright colours and deep shadows in your photos create a rich, warm, but also moody look. Is this an intentional creative choice and do you think your photographic style might change in the future?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>I use a large light source on one side of the subject to create soft but dark shadows, which is a look you rarely see in reality. It gives the photos a surreal look. It\u2019s a style usually used for corporate or fashion photography, so seeing it applied in a photojournalistic way grabs your attention. This style is usually associated with expensive clothes and beautiful models but seeing it applied to a person living in poverty is quite thought-provoking.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"667\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/DSC7197-Edit.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5272\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tell me some of the stories behind your photos.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Each photo I take is a memory I have of the person I met and photographed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The photo above, for example, was shot in Northern Ethiopia in the Afar region, known as one of the hottest and driest places on Earth. The Afar people are nomadic and move from place to place to take care of their livestock. They face many healthcare issues due to their remoteness and a lack of access to healthcare services. This photograph was shot during a project documenting women\u2019s health and the efforts to reduce the practice of female genital mutilation. This lady was staying in a compound to teach Afar women basic literacy and healthcare skills so they could return to their nomadic group to teach their families the skills they learnt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of my favourite things to do after I\u2019ve photographed someone is to bring a small pocket-sized printer with me and print a copy of the photograph for the subject to keep.<\/p>\n\n\n<section\n\t class=\"block block--no-indent image-slider\" role=\"complementary\" aria-label=\"Image slider\" data-segment=\"all\" data-img-align=\"center\">\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"image-slider__stage\" id=\"slick-1055732416\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"image-slider__slide\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"javascript:void(0);\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/DSC3084.jpg\" data-fancybox=\"image-slider-gallery__1055732416\" data-fancybox-index=\"1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/DSC3084.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"\" sizes=\"(min-width: 2560px) 2560px, (min-width: 1920px) 1920px, (min-width: 1440px) 1440px, (min-width: 1024px) 1024px, (min-width: 768px) 768px\" loading=\"lazy\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"image-slider__slide\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"javascript:void(0);\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/DSC4946.jpg\" data-fancybox=\"image-slider-gallery__1055732416\" data-fancybox-index=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/DSC4946.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"\" sizes=\"(min-width: 2560px) 2560px, (min-width: 1920px) 1920px, (min-width: 1440px) 1440px, (min-width: 1024px) 1024px, (min-width: 768px) 768px\" loading=\"lazy\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"slider-controls slider-controls--shadow contained\"><\/div>\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-sm-font-size\">First photo: \u201cThis photograph was shot in a remote village in Uganda. Most of the people, including this mother and daughter, live as subsistence farmers. They eat the produce they grow, and if they have any to spare, they can sell what they have to earn a small income. While this is enough to survive, it leaves families in a fragile state where sickness, unexpected costs or a bad season can place them in debt.\u201d &#8211; Marcus Wong.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-sm-font-size\">Second photo: <strong>\u201c<\/strong>This is a student from Buwooya Mission School in Uganda, which provides free education for students who cannot afford to go to school. This school is in a remote village near Lake Victoria where most families earn an income by fishing from the lake. By the age of 14, most of the children leave school to join them and spend the rest of their lives as fishermen. The school is made up of wood from the nearby forest and a tin roof over a dirt floor.\u201d &#8211; Marcus Wong.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How is the reaction to your work back home? When people see your photos at exhibitions, what do they usually say to you?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The feedback I get always surprises me. I\u2019ve had a few people come to me in tears at the end. I speak a lot about being content with what you have and emphasising that financially we\u2019re a wealthy minority, not an average majority. That always resonates with people, but I also don\u2019t believe I\u2019m sharing anything new. I think we all already know those basic truths but we forget and need a gentle reminder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I give out small, postcard sized prints at my exhibitions for people to remember the exhibition by, and it\u2019s always special walking into someone\u2019s house and seeing that they\u2019ve kept it on their fridge as a reminder of those few basic truths.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"740\" height=\"370\" src=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/20210512_MWPhoto7_740x370.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4620\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/20210512_MWPhoto7_740x370.jpg 740w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/20210512_MWPhoto7_740x370-480x240.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What was it like coming back to Australia after having your perspective changed so much in Uganda?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>When I arrived in Uganda I braced myself to have a sort of culture shock, but in reality it was returning home that gave me a shock. When I arrived back in Australia, I immediately felt more anxious and stressed. I think a lot of it is due to the culture of consumerism. It\u2019s so intrusive in Australia, like we have choice anxiety from so many options and numerous things being sold to us at once.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Life in Afar\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/P98p0ZLB3G8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-sm-font-size\"><em>Video filmed and edited by Marcus Wong. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What other issues do you find concerning about the world we live in today in relation to global wealth inequality?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the difficulties with solving an issue like this is that the problem is often out of sight. It\u2019s either in a different country or a different suburb so it isn\u2019t a pressing issue. I believe wealth inequality is one of the greatest modern-day challenges we face. If we manage to reduce the level of inequality, in the future we may look back at it in the same way we look back at slavery. It\u2019s quite easy to condemn previous generations for being blind to the injustice of slavery, but I also think so many people are currently blind or apathetic to the injustices of global wealth inequality.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/DSC8090-Edit-1000x500.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4621\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/DSC8090-Edit-1000x500.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/DSC8090-Edit-740x370.jpg 740w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/DSC8090-Edit-480x240.jpg 480w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/DSC8090-Edit-1260x630.jpg 1260w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/DSC8090-Edit-1520x760.jpg 1520w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/DSC8090-Edit-1920x960.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">I guess that\u2019s where your work comes in\u2014to remove that \u2018out of sight, out of mind\u2019 mentality. You\u2019ve also helped women facing violence and poverty, like when you worked for the Association for Women\u2019s Sanctuary and Development. Has this been challenging for you to witness?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>A huge challenge in documenting stories about the struggles women have faced through violence and poverty is simply that I am not a woman. Most of the process of working on these kinds of films is listening to their stories and building a relationship with them off camera.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What was also surprising was hearing how much violence and exploitation was connected to poverty. A lot of the stories I heard from women\u2019s refuge centres revealed that in their desperation to provide for their family, they would fall victim to human trafficking, leading to abuse. In these kinds of projects, I try to take a fly on the wall approach and let them share their own story.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/20210512_MWPhoto3_730x370.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5284\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do you see yourself continuing to tell stories of people who are at-risk, vulnerable or struggling with inequality, or are there other goals you would like to achieve?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>With international borders closed due to COVID-19, I am now studying a Masters in Secondary Education, which will allow me to be a high school teacher. I might not always be behind a camera, but I hope to always be working with people. Journeying with students through six years of their high school life has the potential to leave such an impact on their lives.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Some of your biggest teachers have been people living in poverty. What did they teach you?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most valuable life lessons I learnt was from someone who grew up in a slum in Uganda. He was sponsored by someone to receive an education and healthcare services, which helped him escape poverty. He shared with me that we should \u2018live simply, so that others may simply live.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/DSC5134-1000x500.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/DSC5134-1000x500.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/DSC5134-740x370.jpg 740w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/DSC5134-480x240.jpg 480w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/DSC5134-1260x630.jpg 1260w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/DSC5134-1520x760.jpg 1520w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/DSC5134-1920x960.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do you see yourself contributing to a better future and do you have any advice to give others who want to do the same?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>It can be overwhelming looking at an issue like global wealth inequality, and the idea to \u2018change the world\u2019 is daunting. But I think if you aim to change someone\u2019s world, that\u2019s an achievable goal.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/DSC3015.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4629\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Watch the video below to learn more about Marcus.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Social justice filmmaker and photographer: Marcus Wong\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/W4I2_W7MYq4?start=10&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>All photos and videos featured in this article are by Marcus Wong.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Author |  Luisa Mitchell<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>___<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<mimas-block \n        block-name=\"accordion\"\n        role=\"complementary\"\n        aria-label=\"Accordion content\"\n        data-segment=\"all\">\n\n                \n\n                    <div class=\"accordion\" aria-labelledby=\"accordion-title-Share-your-thoughts-with-us\">\n            <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion__heading\" aria-controls=\"Share-your-thoughts-with-us\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n            <div class=\"title\" id=\"accordion-title-Share-your-thoughts-with-us\">Share your thoughts with us<\/div>\n            <div class=\"icon\"><\/div>\n        <\/button>\n        <div class=\"accordion__content\" id=\"Share-your-thoughts-with-us\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <div class=\"forminator-ui forminator-custom-form forminator-custom-form-8546   forminator_ajax\" data-forminator-render=\"0\" data-form=\"forminator-module-8546\" data-uid=\"69df2cc3517ed\"><br\/><\/div><form\r\n\t\t\t\tid=\"forminator-module-8546\"\r\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"forminator-ui forminator-custom-form forminator-custom-form-8546   forminator_ajax\"\r\n\t\t\t\tmethod=\"post\"\r\n\t\t\t\tdata-forminator-render=\"0\"\r\n\t\t\t\tdata-form-id=\"8546\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\tdata-design=\"none\"\r\n\t\t\t\tdata-color-option=\"default\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\tdata-grid=\"open\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\tdata-uid=\"69df2cc3517ed\"\r\n\t\t\t><div role=\"alert\" aria-live=\"polite\" class=\"forminator-response-message forminator-error\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div><div class=\"forminator-row\"><div id=\"name-1\" class=\"forminator-field-name forminator-col forminator-col-12 \"><div class=\"forminator-field\"><label for=\"forminator-field-name-1_69df2cc3517ed\" id=\"forminator-field-name-1_69df2cc3517ed-label\" class=\"forminator-label\">Name <span class=\"forminator-required\">*<\/span><\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"name-1\" value=\"\" placeholder=\"E.g. 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you\u2019ve never seen, and has made it his mission to share the voices of the voiceless with the world. \u00a0 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