Photo essay: Two weeks in Tanzania

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Taken on our way through the Great Rift Valley in Kenya, this photo features a local street vendor in Kenya who sells corn. It represents the versatility of jobs many of those in Kenya and Tanzania have to have in order to make their money and live day to day. Street vending seems to be what a lot of citizens pick up on.

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While on the road in Kenya I captured this image of a mother and son walking down the road as we were driving to Tanzania. I’m not exactly sure where they’re coming from but this image illustrates the lengths people have to go in order to get from point A to point B. I’ve learned that many either travel by van, motorcycle or on foot. Many of the villagers have to walk to water sources and stores just to do laundry, take baths or get the necessary resources they need to go on about their day.

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This and the following image were taken in our time spent in Roche, Tanzania. A maternity ward was in the process of being built right next to the Roche Health Center. This in itself is a big step for the health care access of the villagers of Roche. It’s important to always note the progress of a community; it’s also important to highlight those who are contributing towards the progression. That’s why these images of construction workers are so impactful to me. They’re the ones who are executing the work that has been laid out for them. The places are always important, but the faces who make these places often get overlooked.

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This and the previous image were taken in our time spent in Roche, Tanzania. A maternity ward was in the process of being built right next to the Roche Health Center. This in itself is a big step for the health care access of the villagers of Roche. It’s important to always note the progress of a community; it’s also important to highlight those who are contributing towards the progression. That’s why these images of construction workers are so impactful to me. They’re the ones who are executing the work that has been laid out for them. The places are always important, but the faces who make these places often get overlooked.

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I turned away from a council meeting at the Roche Health Center for a second to soak in more of the environment that was around me. I noticed this villager by his motorcycle getting prepared to leave, and it just felt right to capture the scene at the time. There’s no underlying meaning or severe purpose of this photo other than for admiring the composition. It should serve as a reminder, though, to just stop and look around you even if it’s stuff that doesn’t have a lot of action. This image highlights everyday life and motion as is.

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This image was captured at a school in the village of Nyambogo. When we first arrived we were greeted by a bunch of students at the front of the school. As I started walking around to get the lay of the land and just see what was around me, I noticed a class going on. I made eye contact with these kids through the window and they smiled and waved. One notable thing about this whole experience was how welcome everyone made you feel and how happy everyone was. Everyone had a smile, and that’s just something you have to always acknowledge in your environment.

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We were leaving a meeting with a group of midwives after a discussion about healthcare and water accessibility in Nyambogo. I noticed a woman playing with her baby and kissing her hand. I thought this was a nice and sweet moment to capture. It visualizes the friendliness and playfulness of those who live here. It’s always nice to capture the love that surrounds you. These people seem to have happiness, love and spirit in some situations where you might expect the opposite. It shows the connection of community that is present as well. There was a group of people near them trying to listen in on our meeting with the midwives. It shows how informed and involved they want to be with their village.