Today was my first low key day since I arrived. We had lunch in a typical Rwandan neighborhood with Vicky’s friends Rita and Chrysologue. I napped on their couch, photographed Bessie the cow, and talked religion and politics with Pastor Francis who lives next door. Then Rita and I lounged on the grass by the church, while children played around us; thoughtful, playful, considerate, well behaved. No fights, arguments, or screaming, nor any parents.
The kids here are different than the kids in the United States. I don’t see Rwandan children havingthe sense of entitlement their counterparts do in the U.S. They listen, are respectful, and want to help. They don’t have that, “what’s in it for me,” attitude.Statistically, child abuse is also lower here than in otherparts of the world.What do Rwandan parents know that western parents don’t?
You can make a difference in the lives of these children and others. I encourage you to consider giving to the Itafari Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization http://itafari.org, and help support their extraordinary work. You can give directly through their secure website, or send a check to: Itafari Foundation, 27 El Greco, Lake Oswego, OR97035.USA. MurakozeCyane! (thank you very much)
Copyright Adam Bacher. All rights reserved. Absolutely no use without prior authorization.
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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Lots of of people talk about this issue but you said some true words!!
These photos are wonderful; keep up this great work. Where is National Geographic when you need them? I’ll be looking forward to seeing more of this blog and hopefully a book of these photos.
T.
These photos are beautiful – the children, although living in something just above poverty level, which constitutes luxury to these people – look well, nourished, healthy; they appear happy, something I’ve noted in other so-called third world countries like Mexico. They appear grateful for what they have. I wonder what the parents’ secret is – but I suspect that it isn’t a book on child-rearing methods. Rather it has to do with how they value things, being content with what they have, not constantly seeking, wanting, needing the next new high-tech electronic purchase, the next new toy, for them or their children. Having a full stomach, the means to medical treatment and education is enough. As it should be in any society.
Thanks for this look at Rwanda, which we know has gone through terrible times and is now a ‘little country that could.’
Evelyn Sharenov