3.7.2010-3.13.2010 One Mango Tree in Gulu, Uganda

I spend my second week in Uganda working for a non-profit called One Mango Tree. One Mango Tree uses a fair trade model to provide income generating opportunities for women in impoverished and conflict-ridden areas of the globe. Their first project is now well underway in northern Uganda, a region devastated by more than twenty years of armed conflict. The war has taken the lives of thousands, displaced more than two million, and destroyed the once-vibrant local culture and economy.  The jobs they've created through their partnership with tailors have changed the lives and circumstances for hundreds of people in the region.

I got to spend a whole week with these beautiful women and their children, whom they bring to work with them as there is no childcare. Each day they gather to sew, to take tea, and they are a strong support system for each other. They were eager to share with my that One Mango Tree had changed their lives for the better. Enjoy the photos from the week.

© Crystaline Randazzo Photography - All images are copyright of Crystaline Randazzo and in no way are to be used by Google, Google Advertisers or any third party. These are not your pictures. Steal them and I will sue you.

3.1.2010-3.6.2010 Obaya in Lira, Uganda Part 2

The first organization I worked with in Lira was Obaya, a non-profit that focuses on sustainable agriculture and education. They run two separate programs which both focus on allowing people to return to their local villages post-war and giving them the tools to be able to make a living in these remote places.

The second project that I worked on was the Education portion of Obyaya. The run a similar program where they pay to educated teachers, as the teachers begin to earn a salary the pay off the cost of their education. I spent a day in life of a village school teacher, what a rigorous schedule! She put American women to shame with all she got done in a day.  I hope I took a couple of those lessons home with me!

© Crystaline Randazzo Photography - All images are copyright of Crystaline Randazzo and in no way are to be used by Google, Google Advertisers or any third party. These are not your pictures. Steal them and I will sue you.

3.1.2010-3.6.2010 Obaya in Lira, Uganda Part 1

  The first organization I worked with in Lira was Obaya, a non-profit that focuses on sustainable agriculture and education. They run two separate programs which both focus on allowing people to return to their local villages post-war and giving them the tools to be able to make a living in these remote places.

The first project I documented was the agriculture project. This project focuses on providing local farmers with chickens, goats, oxen, and seed. There are a few farmers who focus on honey and are provided bees. Obaya initially provides them with a few chickens, once the farmers begin to make a profit from the eggs and offspring they pay Obaya back for the initial cost of the chickens. Then Obaya might help the fund chickens or oxen next. It's a progressive relationship, and each time the farmer pays off the initial cost Obaya is more likely to fund his/her next endeavor.

 

© Crystaline Randazzo Photography - All images are copyright of Crystaline Randazzo and in no way are to be used by Google, Google Advertisers or any third party. These are not your pictures. Steal them and I will sue you.

2.28.2010 Uganda, The First of Many Africa Adventures

As many of you know, I had the amazing opportunity to go Uganda on a photography workshop with Momenta Workshops with two fantastic instructors, you should check out Jeff Hutchens and Jamie Rose photography work as they are not only incredible photographers but really great teachers as well. I highly recommend their workshop, and Momenta goes to lots of places besides Uganda. All my fellow photo junkies should definitely check them out.

The workshop focused on working with non-profits, and creating a personal picture package for your portfolio. Both weeks I got to work with non-profits that focused on sustainable projects. It was fascinating to learn that even the third world is going green!

There were 5 students who went on the workshop with me and I truly was impressed with each of their works and perseverance through 2 weeks of varying levels of challenges. Working with non-profits is tough! Making beautiful pictures in the same place 4 days in a row really challenges a person creatively, and pushes you to look beyond what is directly in front you.

Directly following this blog, will be two addressing both Lira and Uganda specific projects! Here some fun photos from the trip! Consider this your behind the scenes look of what it means to shoot non-profits in Uganda!

Our first meeting with our non-profit heads in Lira.

Fizzah and I getting the back ground story on our non-profits.

Agaton, Whittney, and Madga look considerable less serious.

My first day post shoot, after being on the back of a boda (motorcycle, riding double), 45 minutes both ways to a remote village.

Magda was the only one who understood what riding a boda for 1-1/2 to 2 hours a day could do to you. It was worse than horseback riding.

 

Exposure lessons, I will never forget the Sunny 16 Rule.

 

 BLT....T is for Top Up, guess you had to be there.

Our nightly fire hazard, when the generators are on, you plug in!!

Nightly editing sessions.

Jeff....A picture is worth a thousand words.

 

 I am not sure I can explain Shit Head (really that's the name of the game).

Our hotel turned into a club on the weekends, so the hotel owner reserved us a table. Woohoo! Please note that our favorite waiter James (of the Whispering Chapati) is over Jeff's shoulder.

This is the crew of boda drivers who brought us back to the hotel after dinner.

On yet another Boda ride, the others all made fun of me because I would barely hold on to the boda driver. Who wants to hang on to a strange man?  Fizzah took this photo while we were riding 3 to a boda.

 

At our hotel, The Acholi Bear, we spent a lot of time editing on those balconies.

Out shooting in the local market in Gulu.

Ralph (Oh Agaton!)

Whitney

 

Magda in her favorite The Green Bar! I think she got a marriage proposal from the owner. 

Fizzah and I on the Boda!! 

Can you tell I had a great time on this trip?!

***Most of these photos do NOT belong to me as they were taken by all of us on the trip, I must give credit where credit is due!