Makindu Children’s Center also serves the needs of the outlying communities of Kamboo and Twaandu.
Wide dirt paths connect the sparse homesteads of Kamboo
I was taken to visit Kamboovia a 30 minute ride on a motorcycle over dirt roads, then paths.Other than visitors, Kamboo has a few motorcycles.Those who are fortunate have bicycles.
Kamboo homestead
Taking a break, Kamboo resident tells us about food shortages
There’s no electricity or piped water for miles.The village is a series of remotely separated homesteads, rather than a central community.It feels hundreds of years removed from present time.
Empty food storage hut on left - Frame waiting for mud walls on right
Drought has diminished food stocks to practically nothing.The storage hut (on left) is typical of those I saw – empty. On the right is the frame for a new room to ease crowding. Four children will share the space.
Guardian with child
Men make up about twenty percent of the MCC guardians. This man supports two orphans as well as his four biological children.
All photographs copyright 2009, Adam Bacher. Absolutely no usage without prior autorization.
When your vision becomes a reality, how will you tell your story?
I’m a commercial photographer and photojournalist based in Portland, Oregon, since 1991. I specialize in commercial location photography for businesses. The majority of this work is for architectural, corporate, editorial, and public relations clients, and appears in a variety of print and electronic media. You can view samples online at: www.adambacher.com.
Since 2007 I’ve been taking a month each year to devote my time towards humanitarian missions.
Three trips have taken me to Rwanda, for a project documenting the countries recovery from the genocide in 1994, which claimed the lives of one-million people in the course of 100 days. Images and stories from the places I visited are featured on my blog site at: www.bachersblog.com.
This November, I’m going to Haiti for 4 weeks, to help two non-profits working tirelessly to save and rebuild lives following the earthquake in 2010. As well as donating my still and video images, I plan to create a traveling print exhibit, and a multi-media educational presentation to build awareness and remind us of Haiti's needs. If you’re interested in project please see this link: http://igg.me/p/44329?a=249927&i=shlk
My commercial work makes this humanitarian effort possible. I exhibit and speak nationally, offering a provocative visual and journalistic insight into contemporary Rwanda and the recovery, reconciliation, and reconstruction of the of the country. This message of hope, peace, and diversity, has been enthusiastically received at peace conferences, corporate gatherings, and in public schools.
Specialties
All aspects of location photography including: Architectural, Corporate, Editorial, People, Public Relations, Travel and Photojournalism.
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Wonderful stuff again, Adam. We love you! Stay safe.
Linda
Hue:
Beautiful shots! Makindu must be Winnie Barron’s non-orphanage. The absence of modern infrastructure, and overall absence of things, is especially sobering. They have tires (no vehicles on which to put them), bicycles (thank goodness), not enough bricks (has it been too dry for too long to make them?), and dirt roads (presumably leveled by some Kenyan gov’t entity?). Africa is the depopulated, now forgotten, barren continent. What is to be done: bicycle and brick drives across ‘Merica? What you’re doing is excellent. Might you send some of your work to the newly elected Kenyan-American president of the US?
elmo
Adam – I’m SOOOOOOOO jealous of your travels, weather is cold here in London & I’d so much rather be in Rwanda (or Kenya for that matter!) Say hi to everyone in RW for me. Looking forward to your posts!
Adam,
I hope you are well. I look forward to following your journey.
Best,
Sean