Burundi, Africa, Gazelle Foundation trip, 2011 (55 images)

I photographed Gazelle Foundation beneficiaries in gorgeous Songa Burundi, in July 2011. The Burundian people are beautiful, friendly and so grateful for the basic life necessity of clean, accessible water. Women and young children, mostly girls, endure the burden of cultural expectations to fetch and carry the water, causing many children to miss school. Gender inequality and disease from dirty water is rampant in Africa. Access to clean water sources helps everyone live a more just, safe...
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I photographed Gazelle Foundation beneficiaries in gorgeous Songa Burundi, in July 2011. The Burundian people are beautiful, friendly and so grateful for the basic life necessity of clean, accessible water. Women and young children, mostly girls, endure the burden of cultural expectations to fetch and carry the water, causing many children to miss school. Gender inequality and disease from dirty water is rampant in Africa. Access to clean water sources helps everyone live a more just, safe and productive life. Since 2005, The Gazelle Foundation has built 7 well projects in cooperation with local communities. Together community members help with digging, laying pipes, doing the masonry work for the cisterns and follow up well maintenance. Drinking clean water improves hygiene and reduces illness, so less children miss school. Most importantly, less children die from water-borne diseases. The Gazelles gratefully partner with donors in their home of Austin, Texas and have led voluntourism trips since 2011 to educate and bond with the Burundian people they serve.
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