AMSTERDAM.- Bastiaan Woudt's Champions project is a series of powerful images from Zambia, realized in collaboration with Orange Babies, a dedicated organization providing support to HIV-infected pregnant women and their children in developing countries such as Namibia, South Africa, and Zambia.

The heart of the project lies in Zambia, where Bastiaan Woudt has photographed a group of young adults who act as “champions” in their communities. These young, powerful individuals play a vital role in spreading awareness about HIV and creating safe spaces for peers to discuss essential topics such as sexual education.
Bastiaan Woudt chose to capture these young adults not only as advocates in their community but also as symbols of strength and dignity. Through his lens, he aimed to transform these young people into heroes, warriors, kings, and queens, a visual representation of their indispensable role in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

Thanks to the generosity of supporters, we’ve already raised over €200,000 to help Orange Babies continue their vital work. Additionally, 10% of all sales from the exhibition will be donated directly to Orange Babies. Let’s keep building on that momentum as we strive for a future free of HIV.

BOOK LAUNCH: CHAMPIONS

Bildhalle also announced the launch of Champions, a new photo book by Bastiaan Woudt. This project, inspired by Woudt's harrowing trip to Zambia in 2023, celebrates the 25th anniversary of Orange Babies (2025).

Champions is a follow-up to the release of Woudt's 2021 book Rhythm, which celebrated his ten-year oeuvre and confirmed his significance within the world of art photography.

ORANGE BABIES

Orange Babies strives for an HIV-free generation and fights against the causes and consequences of this epidemic. The foundation supports various projects that care for pregnant women, babies, children and adolescents in vulnerable communities in Southern Africa. With the new strategy, the foundation focuses mainly on young adolescents because most infections occur among that group. Orange Babies achieves this by working with so-called Champions, young people from the slums trained by Orange Babies, who bring other young people back to school, provide information and help them get their lives on track. This includes setting up and staffing Youth Friendly Corners in schools, where young people can ask questions about HIV and medication, be tested, receive free condoms and reusable sanitary towels, as well as help with teenage pregnancy, rape, mental health problems and domestic violence.