The girls sports class at Mkwiro Primary School plays relay races with the GVI Volunteers on the playground.
Harrison
Lunchtime was always chaotic on the building site, as all of the children would race out of their classroom to come see the white people building their new school. These are the amazing kids from Tankini villages and school. Not all of them have school uniform for now, but the ones who do wear this incredible bright orange which just gives the images such a punch! Most of these shots were taken whilst being mobbed and surrounded by the entire class all trying to star in their own portrait… at the same time.
Mahandakini Village has a very special place in my heart. I have visited this little know village more times now than I can remember, and I hope I never stop visiting. I first visited in 2010 when I signed up as a volunteer for GVI (Global Vision International) to assist on a construction project for this anti-poaching community seeking alternative livelihoods. I have an entire archive of images from my times living and working with Mahandakini, but on here is a selection of my best and favourites. This particular set is from Mahandakini Primary School and from the mornings and evenings when the school children would walk through our base camp to say hello.
Daniel, our 4Africa fundi for Project One in Taveta, Kenya. This was the back-breaking task of digging the 4 ft foundations by hand for the Nursery School… only for it to rain so heavily and flood them the following day.
This really was one of those rare, exclusive and most magical of moments you are lucky enough to come across as a traveller and photographer. Kasaine Lepolosi (close to Zuwani estate, Taveta district, Kenya) was a Maasai community rarely (if ever) visited by white people. Tourism was a complete new idea for them, and as a staff leader for GVI (Global Vision International) I was co-leading a group of western students to help educate and train these mighty warriors in alternative livelihoods and sustainable development. After 2 weeks of building respect, trust, rapport and relationships I was able to photograph these pure and genuine scenes of Maasai village life. Memories for life.
The Community Based Organisation (CBO) in Kasaani. One of the most successful groups in the area. This is my favourite shot of them all together, taken at a good-bye meeting before I left.
Lunchtime was always chaotic on the building site, as all of the children would race out of their classroom to come see the white people building their new school. These are the amazing kids from Tankini villages and school. Not all of them have school uniform for now, but the ones who do wear this incredible bright orange which just gives the images such a punch! Most of these shots were taken whilst being mobbed and surrounded by the entire class all trying to star in their own portrait… at the same time.
Chumvini Primary School, Taveta, Kenya. One of the many surrounding schools and villages in the Taveta district that I have passed through as a GVI (Global Vision International) volunteer and staff leader, and also more recently with the 4Africa NGO. Chumvini was always a visit on the way to the Wednesday market, or to visit its nearby bat caves which was rumoured to shelter German troops during the WW2 area conflict.
This really was one of those rare, exclusive and most magical of moments you are lucky enough to come across as a traveller and photographer. Kasaine Lepolosi (close to Zuwani estate, Taveta district, Kenya) was a Maasai community rarely (if ever) visited by white people. Tourism was a complete new idea for them, and as a staff leader for GVI (Global Vision International) I was co-leading a group of western students to help educate and train these mighty warriors in alternative livelihoods and sustainable development. After 2 weeks of building respect, trust, raport and relationships I was able to photograph these pure and genuine scenes of Maasai village life. Memories for life.
Voyager LodgeZuwani EstateTsavo West National ParkKenyaThis is easily one of my top locations in Kenya, and one location that I have revisited over ten times. Each time I have photographed this same scene, from various positions and compositions. The foreground is a watering hole, full of Crocodiles and Hippos. In the back drop, standing proud, is Mt Kilimanjaro. Easily my favourite sunset in Southern Kenya.This shot was on about my eigth visit to this location. For once I actually had my tripod with me. Captured with a 15 sec exposure and a ND4 Grad Filter.
This was my timeless constant of Taveta. This guy was ALWAYS there. I'm convinced if this guys was to not be in his place then the world would end!
Out with the KWS (Kenyan Wildlife Service) Park Rangers. The KWS were staying in Kidong the same time as us to chase away a dangerously close elephant herd. My friend Isaac invited me along on a game drive with the armed rangers to chase the elephants away. An amazing and once-in-a-lifetime experience. NOT for tourists!
