Well of caring never runs dry

Published 6:00 pm Wednesday, September 24, 2003

Island artist Karyn Carpenter uses photographs to help dig a well.

The black-and-white images of Ugandans on display at Harbour Public House through September showcase Bainbridge Rotary’s plan to dig 20 deep wells in the Kaberamaido district.

“We wanted to kick off the project to put in wells,” said Carpenter, herself a Rotarian, who visited Uganda last May. “My own goal was to put a face on the people we’re trying to help.”

Ugandans from the Kaberamaido district must make an hour’s round trip on foot to get water, with families forced to make the trek five to 10 times a day. Water sources are often lakes infested with snakes and crocodiles.

Rotary wells will help make the long, dangerous trip obsolete.

The Uganda-Bainbridge connection was forged when islander Peter Emau, a research scientist at University of Washington, approached Rotary to print his brother’s textbooks for Ugandan primary schools in 1998.

Rotary printed, shipped the books and distributed the books in person.

When the visiting Bainbridge Islanders noted that students at one of the schools were being sickened by contaminated water, the club raised $6,000 to dig a well.

The Rotary-Uganda connection has grown over time: this year, more than seven-and-a-half tons of leftover goods from the Rotary Auction were shipped to Uganda. The club has also raised money for medicine and supported building libraries and dental clinics.

In her efforts to publicize Rotary’s latest efforts, Carpenter was helped by Emau’s family in Uganda.

“I lived with some of Peter’s family who cared for me, gave me a bed, fed me, and helped me move from place to place – which was an enormous sacrifice for them.”

Carpenter and the well project have received help here, as well. Kodak donated film; an anonymous donor who grew up without water made a generous donation and Rotary paid most travel expenses.

Each picture in the show has a detailed caption that demonstrates the close attention that Carpenter paid her subjects.

From 8-year-old Egewedu Emanual, oldest of five children, who walks to the wells for water five time daily, to genial tailor Opige Sipinriano, who operates his sewing machine in the street near his shop in Otuboi, the subjects’ individuality is emphasized – a technique that prevents viewers categorizing subjects as anonymous victims.

Carpenter says that the spirit of her work is always informed by the belief that the people she photographs are individuals she honors by portraying them in their best light.

“I’m so thankful to the people who allowed me to photograph them,” she said. “They gave so openly to me.”

Carpenter took several months off work to travel and then to produce the work, processing, framing and displaying the images herself. She wrote about the project and the people.

“As a photographer, I have a gift which I can use to help others,” she said. “If the time and money I’ve put into the Uganda project helps us drill one well or helps one American child have a greater understanding of another wonderful culture, it is worth it to me.”

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The Harbour Public House will donate proceeds from art sales to the well fund, and artist Karyn Carpenter donates a percentage.

For more information, see www.karyncarpenter.com or call 780-2214.