Most stories captured in photos do an amazing thing – they evoke emotion, and they draw attention to a serious problem in the world by granting access and educating. By doing so, viewers then understand an issue, and they feel remorse for those affected. But with a non-profit organization, it is imperative to not only show the situation, but also what the organization does to address it.
Prior to becoming a photographer, I worked as a mechanical engineer for an international construction company. For five years in third-world countries, I tackled issues with biological agents, weaponry and scientific practices. Introducing western mentality / business practices and getting another country to buy into them is no easy feat. Those affected on the ground must comprehend why an organization does what it does. Furthermore, they need to witness the tangible output.
Mozambique residents understand the convenience and benefit of clean water coming from a well and pump. However, they might not understand why a foreign entity travels 9,000 miles to help a remote village. This essay is about showing a problem, how a giving organization assists, the realization that challenges still exist, the hope that lingers for a better future and what it might feel like to be on the receiving end.
There is a water crisis in remote parts of Mozambique, and non-profit organizations are doing their best to utilize funds and expertise to combat it. Watching people immediately access clean well water and seeing how they integrate it into their daily lives is extremely rewarding. But more work must still be done.
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