LittlePurpleCow Productions

Emanual was the first entrepreneur to greet us outside his home when we arrived to Mlima Sioni village in Tanzania with our friends from local non-profit BEST (Business and Entrepreneurship Support Tanzania). Smiling, he shook our hands gently and shared his family with us. "He makes bricks," Praise, the manager of BEST explained. "It's his profession."

I think of this man's pride and that too-short visit to Mlima Sioni village often. I wonder if his maize has grown. I wonder if his children are well. I wonder if I'll ever get the chance to go back and tell him how much I've grown as a result of just standing in his presence. I hope.

Praise, manager of local non-profit organization BEST (Business and Entrepreneurship Support Tanzania) and her team introduced us to several of their clients during our visit with them in Arusha. She explained to us that the poorest of the poor are eager to cultivate the land if they are supported with farm inputs, seed capital and farm acquisition.

This is Agness, a wife and young mother. She welcomed us into her modest home in Magadini Village to show us her baby and share her life with us. Thanks to BEST's seed capital and business services' support, Agness is able to support her family with the money she earns cultivating her rice paddy. Quietly, she moved with ease out to the center of the muddy field for me to make her portrait. Patient and proud. This woman's strength humbles me.

Update 01/28/10:

I just received an email from Praise at BEST. She writes, "Agness has just harvested her rice. She harvested 14 bags and all are stored in her single room. By next week I will send you her amazing pictures. Others are doing fine too with a lot of demand and expectations from BEST. They want to copy from Agness." If you want to offer support for people like Agness in Arusha, let me know and I'll connect you with my friends at BEST.

Jen and I didn't bring the hope. We didn't bring money, or food, or solutions. We didn't bring anything, but the desire to learn, open hearts, and our cameras to excavate and share the truth. What we found in Mlima Sioni Village was a brilliant source of light. Strength. Patience. Joy.

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We're planning to produce a short digital documentary of our village experience for Arusha-based, non-profit BEST as a small token of thanks for sharing their work and relationships with us. Look forward to sharing that with you soon and giving you an opportunity to help.

Cross-posted in the Picture Hope Journal at Shutter Sisters.