Project Detail: The Boys of Blue Water

Contest:

Emerging photographers 2018



Brand:

LuganoPhotoDays



Author:

Damian Haas

Status:
Selected

 

Project Info

The Boys of Blue Water

Misisi is a compound, which is located in Lusaka, Zambia. Misisi has been identified as one of the five worst slums in Sub Saharan Africa. Due to a lack of resources there has been poor record keeping, but according to best estimates, there are between 80 and 90’000 people living in the area. The average life expectancy is around 32 years. HIV and AIDS remains a huge problem in Misisi. More than 50 percent of children living there have lost at least one parent to the HIV/AIDS. There is also a prevalence of many other diseases in the area. Cholera remains a huge problem, due to a lack of clean water. The area is also prone to floods during the rain season. Malaria is also a major issue during the warmer seasons of the year. In Misisi is a small lake called "Blue Water". The water is used for daily body cleansing and for washing. The soapy water and the local sewage flow directly into the "Blue Water". On the shores of the lake, the waste accumulates and pollutes the water additionally. Nevertheless, it is used as drinking water because clean water is still hard to find. Every day a group of boys between the ages of eight and thirteen is bustling at this lake. Many of them have no opportunity to attend school and live in difficult conditions. At the "Blue Water" they find social cohesion. Here they can swim, fish, play with the garbage and romp around the grounds. This reportage was captured in October 2017. For three weeks I visited the boys almost every day, spending time at the lake with them, talking to them and getting to know them better. They just called me "Mzungu" - white man.

Photos