Some of you have been askingme about the people that charity:water is currently working so hard to bring clean water to. So here's a rundown (complete with BEAUTIFUL pictures) of the gorgeous Bayaka people of the Central African Republic:
The Bayaka are an African Pygmy tribe. They were one of the last hunter-gatherer societies in the the world until the logging industry pushed them out of the forest. Now, they’re learning to live on the outskirts of villages, where they face rejection and abuse by locals who see them as animals who belong in the jungle. Many Bayaka live without clean water in the southern Central African Republilc. Charity:Water wants to bring clean and safe drinking water to every one of them. They’re expert hunters, nimble climbers. They sharpen their teeth for beauty and fit entire families into small domed huts. This September is about bringing clean drinking water to an unknown people living in a forgotten country: the Bayaka of Central African Republic. A typical Bayaka mother has eight children -- and sees four of them die prematurely from waterborne disease or malnutrition. Clean drinking water will change this forever.
the yellow water they are used to drinking
A Bayaka boy gathers water from a contaminated stream near his home.
When you ask them "What is your age?" or "Ngu tti mo ayeke ok," in the local language Sango, the Bayaka usually can't answer. The more appropriate question is, "How many children do you have?"
A classroom of children at the Mambera Nola School
Bayaka women walk with jugs of contaminated water from a stream near their homes.
The Bayaka are denied use of water from any existing water projects in villages. Since they have to wait until dark to collect clean water, they often resort to using contaminated ponds and streams instead.
People wait in line to collect water.
Carol drinks from a contaminated pond used by many Bayaka.
"They're finding new diseases they've never dealt with. And now, they can't use the remedies they used to find in the forest." Bayaka children get "jiggers" -- parasites that eat away at their feet. These can usually be washed away with clean water, but about 16,000 Bayaka don't have safe water in C.A.R.
Home for a Bayaka in Kanza village.
"The Bayaka are expert hunters. They know the forest. To hike in the woods with the Bayaka is really a privilege."
Children look on as an ICDI worker runs a drill rig in Maka village.
Bayaka children wash their hands at a charity: water well.
Don't you just love these beautiful faces?! I sure do. I really really want to kiss all of them and then give them all clean, cold water for the rest of their long, happy lives. And I can do that with Charity:Water!- the water part, at least :)
all photos property of charity:water
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