rwanda // africa

This last June I had an opportunity to travel to Rwanda in Africa to help an amazing organization, ERM Rwanda.  ERM Rwanda is working directly with the people of Rwanda, specifically widows and orphans of the genocide in 1994.  In 1994 one million Rwandans lost their lives in 100 days as the Hutu tribe brutally tortured and murdered members of the Tutsi tribe. The founder of ERM Rwanda, Emmanuel Sitaki Kayinamura, lost 35 members of his family in the genocide and by the grace of God he and his mother escaped.  Read his amazing story here.
Nineteen years later ERM is doing some amazing things including running a vocational school where students can learn trade skills such as masonry, carpentry, hair dressing, sewing and welding.  ERM is also working directly with widows of the genocide who make crafts that are sold at the local market.  
The genocide physically eradicated hundreds of thousands Rwandans, but it did not destroy their living spirit of hope, faith and determination.

Liberia

A month ago if you would have asked me where Liberia was on a map I wouldn't have been able to tell you.  And I definitely wouldn't have been able to share anything about the country or what they've gone through in the last couple decades.  In December I was asked by Locke Morgan of Restoration Ministries Worldwide and The Liberia Project to join a group on a trip to Liberia to help tell a story of the trip and the people of Liberia through my photos.  I was excited and nervous all at the same time.  The excitement to combine my love of photography with my love of the people of Africa was too great.  After a lot of help from friends and family I had my visa and ticket to Liberia.  I spent 3 weeks in Liberia meeting many amazing people and hearing many heart breaking stories of the civil war that occurred not too long ago.  However, in all of those tough stories there was good that came out of each.  Liberia is a country that is continuing to rebuild not only their roads and buildings after a horrific war but also their relationships.  I'm hopeful for Liberia's future and I pray that my photos used by RMW and the Liberia Project can help their people!