travel [HANDS in RWANDA]

I spent my time in Rwanda at markets, with artists and with farmers, and in the Heaven kitchen, side by side with people as they worked. I've always loved photos of hands doing (holding, caring, working, playing), and my project with Heaven gave me a great reason to focus on this strong, active part of the body.

Below, market merchants, a painter, a community organizer, a soap-making wife of a genocide perpetrator, weavers, a wood-worker, Heaven's wide-smiled security guard and auditor, and a handful of children gathering water for their families.

“If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and all generations of your ancestors. All of them are alive in this moment. Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of each of these people.”
— Thich Nhat Hanh

travel [STAFF at HEAVEN RESTAURANT

I'm missing Kigali, big time. Yesterday, Alissa & I had a long meeting over skype, going over some final notes as we get ready to launch the site. I can't wait to share the project with you guys, and give you a taste of what Heaven is.

travel [HOW I MADE MY WAY to RWANDA]

Three years ago, I met a girl named Grace at a beautiful wedding on a storybook island off the coast of Georgia. We met when we were seated next to each other at the dinner table and we were instant friends - this girl was full of light and laughter. That summer she moved to Africa and I returned to Los Angeles. We kept in touch.

In April of this year, after moving out of my apartment with no real plan to find another home in LA, she and I were catching up on facebook. "How's Rwanda?" I asked. I didn't know what I wanted to do next, but the idea of doing some work abroad, of going off on an adventure, was appealing (actually is and will always be appealing). I had been working as a photographer for a little while, and I knew a change of scenery, culture and comfort zone would be good for me and my art.

I was thinking maybe I would apply for one of those medium-term volunteer gigs with a small stipend (that's a thing, right?). I'd take photos in my free time. And it would all take some time to fall into place. 2014 would be a good year.

Grace sent me a list of people to contact, most of which were friends who ran (incredible) NGOs. The last was a restaurant, a social enterprise run by Josh & Alissa Ruxin. I shot Alissa an email: "I'm a food photographer with a communications degree and experience writing marketing materials. I'm also a server at a great restaurant and a supervisor at a cute little cafe. Is there anything  I can help you with?" 

Two weeks later I booked my flights with a plan to spend the summer immersed in Heaven Restaurant's community in Kigali, Rwanda. Together, Alissa and I are rebuilding their website, which will feature many of my photos. I can't wait. 

Check back each day this week for more photos and stories from my trip.