[Update: See photos from my recent trip to Tanzania here and here.]
The next time you have the urge to complain about doing menial tasks or chores around the house, put this image in your head instead:
Portions of eastern Africa have experienced unpredictable rainfall which has led to a significant reduction of fresh water availability. Every morning the women in Namakongoro village of Lindi, Tanzania have to trek to an underground cave network which was made by rebels during the 1905 Maji Maji war.
Once there they must descend about 100 feet down precarious homemade bamboo ladders, which must be completely replaced every 3 months due to wear and tear. They fill their buckets with water and climb back up. Every morning!
Like all indigenous citizens of third and fourth world states, these villagers are the least culpable for global climate change yet receive the brunt of the consequences. The images are from the British Council's book regarding this situation titled Changing Climate, Changing Lands, which just launched in Tanzania this week. Nothing short of amazing.
Images by Yusuf Badi/British Council.
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