Tuesday November 25, 2008, Beni, Congo Drc

Child soldier Beni

They used to be child soldiers in the horrible civil war in Congo and are now rehabilitated. Kasareka Kivota (left) was 12yo when he became a soldier, but was too small to carry a weapon, but had to learn how to boil the holy water, which protects his Mai-Mai child soldier colleagues and himself from bullets. He is now 12yo and finally free, and wants to go home to his mother. Jonas Katembo (right) is today 16yo and has just come free. He was a soldier for three years, and towards the end he was armed with a submachine gun and has killed Tutsis. Sometimes he dreams about it.

Credit: Toby Selander / Polaris

Thursday March 6, 2008, Manica, Mozambique

Zimbabwean workers slave in Mozambique's gold mines

The town of Manica in western Mozambique, bordering Zimbabwe, is the scene of a gold rush, and has all the problems associated with resource exploitation in a poor country: dangerous working conditions, environmental degradation and violence. An estimated 20,000 garimpeiros, as the gold panners are known in Portuguese, are spread through the area, living in encampments, without ready access to food, potable water or medical assistance. As many as half of them are young Zimbabwean men escaping the economic hardships of their homeland, where inflation has reached 2,200 percent and unemployment levels are above 80 percent. Gold mining in Mozambique resumed in the mid 1990s, after the country's 16 year civil war. Beginning in 2001, Zimbabweans crossed the border in droves as their country's economic meltdown began, earning just a dollar or two a day digging for gold in dangerous conditions.

Zimbabwean workers digging in an open shaft mine

Credit: Toby Selander / Polaris

Wednesday March 5, 2008, Manica, Mozambique

Zimbabwean workers slave in Mozambique's gold mines

The town of Manica in western Mozambique, bordering Zimbabwe, is the scene of a gold rush, and has all the problems associated with resource exploitation in a poor country: dangerous working conditions, environmental degradation and violence. An estimated 20,000 garimpeiros, as the gold panners are known in Portuguese, are spread through the area, living in encampments, without ready access to food, potable water or medical assistance. As many as half of them are young Zimbabwean men escaping the economic hardships of their homeland, where inflation has reached 2,200 percent and unemployment levels are above 80 percent. Gold mining in Mozambique resumed in the mid 1990s, after the country's 16 year civil war. Beginning in 2001, Zimbabweans crossed the border in droves as their country's economic meltdown began, earning just a dollar or two a day digging for gold in dangerous conditions.

George Mainala from Pelangalo,Zimbabwe panning for gold in the Revue River

Credit: Toby Selander / Polaris

Monday November 3, 2008, Kisumu, Kenya

Obama fever in Kenya

All over western Kenya, the ancestral homeland of Senator Barack Obama's (D-IL) father, local citizens are electrified by the U.S. presidential campaign. With only one day to go before Americans head to the polls, enthusiasm in the African nation for what could become the first African-American president of the United States is palpable.

A young Kenyan boy looks up at a large banner showing Barack Obama, hung near a large shopping mall in Kisumu.

Credit: Toby Selander / Polaris

Saturday April 14, 2007, Nyangoma Kogela, Kenya

US Presidential candidate to be Barack Obama's "home" village Nyangoma Kogela in western Kenya. Barack's "halfbrother" in the school with the US Senator's name.

Credit: Toby Selander / Polaris

Sunday November 23, 2008, Goma, Congo

Congo refugee crisis continues to worsen

Some 6,000 refugees from continuing violence in the Congo are currently living at the Nzulo Refugee Camp, just outside Goma. At a camp clinic, nurse Ndinebo Pepine, 28, examines Sara, 4-months, who is suffering from serious diarrhea. The young girl's mother, Sozike, 22, looks on at right. Violence between government troops and rebels escalated in August 2008 and has continued without stop since then.

Nurse Ndinebo Pepine treats four-month-old refugee Sara, as the girl's mother, Sozike (R) looks on.

Credit: Toby Selander / Polaris

Saturday April 14, 2007, Nyangoma Kogela, Kenya

Obama's grandmother Sarah Hussein Onyango Obama

US Presidential candidate to be Barack Obama's "home" village Nyangoma Kogela in western Kenya. His grandmother Sarah Hussein Onyango Obama is his biggest supporter. She does her own farming.

Credit: Toby Selander / Polaris

Monday November 24, 2008, Minova, Congo

Small clinic specializes in treating Congo rape victims

A small clinic located in the village of Minova, southern Kivu, specializes in treating rape victims. The wost cases are transfered to the city of Goma, some two hours away. Civilians in Congo continue to bear the brunt of violence sparked by clashes between government forces and rebels that flared up in August 2008.

Alida, 18 was raped by three soldiers while collecting food, seated alone in an empty room.

Credit: Toby Selander / Polaris

Wednesday March 5, 2008, Manica, Mozambique

Zimbabwean workers slave in Mozambique's gold mines

The town of Manica in western Mozambique, bordering Zimbabwe, is the scene of a gold rush, and has all the problems associated with resource exploitation in a poor country: dangerous working conditions, environmental degradation and violence. An estimated 20,000 garimpeiros, as the gold panners are known in Portuguese, are spread through the area, living in encampments, without ready access to food, potable water or medical assistance. As many as half of them are young Zimbabwean men escaping the economic hardships of their homeland, where inflation has reached 2,200 percent and unemployment levels are above 80 percent. Gold mining in Mozambique resumed in the mid 1990s, after the country's 16 year civil war. Beginning in 2001, Zimbabweans crossed the border in droves as their country's economic meltdown began, earning just a dollar or two a day digging for gold in dangerous conditions.

Richard Tutsi from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe digging for gold in an 8 meter deep shaft

Credit: Toby Selander / Polaris

Sunday November 23, 2008, Goma, Congo

Congo refugee crisis continues to worsen

Some 6,000 refugees from continuing violence in the Congo are currently living at the Nzulo Refugee Camp, just outside Goma. Violence between government troops and rebels escalated in August 2008 and has continued without stop since then.

Refugee children playing with an old bicycle they found in the camp.

Credit: Toby Selander / Polaris

Monday November 3, 2008, Kisumu, Kenya

Obama fever in Kenya

There is just one day left to the US election, and there is Obama fever, he is present everywhere in the Western part of Kenya. Barack Obama's half sister Auma brought large paintings to display in Kogelo village

Large paintings of Barack Obama in Kogelo village

Credit: Toby Selander / Polaris

Wednesday March 5, 2008, Manica, Mozambique

Zimbabwean workers slave in Mozambique's gold mines

The town of Manica in western Mozambique, bordering Zimbabwe, is the scene of a gold rush, and has all the problems associated with resource exploitation in a poor country: dangerous working conditions, environmental degradation and violence. An estimated 20,000 garimpeiros, as the gold panners are known in Portuguese, are spread through the area, living in encampments, without ready access to food, potable water or medical assistance. As many as half of them are young Zimbabwean men escaping the economic hardships of their homeland, where inflation has reached 2,200 percent and unemployment levels are above 80 percent. Gold mining in Mozambique resumed in the mid 1990s, after the country's 16 year civil war. Beginning in 2001, Zimbabweans crossed the border in droves as their country's economic meltdown began, earning just a dollar or two a day digging for gold in dangerous conditions.

4 grams of gold displayed on Mozambique currency

Credit: Toby Selander / Polaris

Saturday November 22, 2008, Rutshuru, Congo

Laurent Nkunda, congo rebel leader

The rebel leader in Congo Laurent Nkunda in his temporary base in Rutshuru in east Congo. He is guarded by heavy armed soldiers. Children playing nearby.

Congolese children playing

Credit: Toby Selander / Polaris

Monday May 28, 2007, Polokwane, South Africa

Helena, witch village in South Africa

Elizabeth Ngoepe

Credit: Toby Selander / Polaris

Saturday April 14, 2007, Nyangoma Kogela, Kenya

Sarah Obama in her village

US Presidential candidate to be Barack Obama's "home" village Nyangoma Kogela in western Kenya. His grandmother Sarah Hussein Onyango Obama is his biggest supporter. She has made this room for Barack, and a bed for him to sleep in.

Sarah Obama in her home

Credit: Toby Selander / Polaris

Monday November 24, 2008, Minova, Congo

Small clinic specializes in treating Congo rape victims

A small clinic located in the village of Minova, southern Kivu, specializes in treating rape victims. The wost cases are transfered to the city of Goma, some two hours away. Civilians in Congo continue to bear the brunt of violence sparked by clashes between government forces and rebels that flared up in August 2008.

Toyota Nabziralo (looking up, 2R), 30, with a group of rape victims at the clinic. Nabziralo was raped by several soldiers who, at the time, ordered her to place her 1-month-old daughter in a bag while they took turns violating her.

Credit: Toby Selander / Polaris

Saturday April 14, 2007, Nyangoma Kogela, Kenya

Kenya catches Obama fever

US Presidential candidate to be Barack Obama's "home" village Nyangoma Kogela in western Kenya. The kids hopes for a new airport for Air Force One.

Credit: Toby Selander / Polaris

Tuesday November 25, 2008, Beni, Congo Drc

Child soldier Beni

They used to be child soldiers in the horrible civil war in Congo and are now rehabilitated. Kasareka Kivota (left) was 12yo when he became a soldier, but was too small to carry a weapon, but had to learn how to boil the holy water, which protects his Mai-Mai child soldier colleagues and himself from bullets. He is now 12yo and finally free, and wants to go home to his mother.

Credit: Toby Selander / Polaris

Friday October 31, 2008, Kogelo, Kenya

Kenya catches Obama fever

The village Kogelo in Western Kenya is impatiently waiting for the US election hoping for their man Barack Obama to be elected as the new US President.

Students must walk long distances to Senator Obama' s Secondary School.

Credit: Toby Selander / Polaris

Tuesday November 4, 2008, Kogelo, Kenya

Kenyan villagers await outcome of U.S. election

Villagers in Nyang'oma Kogelo wait for the US election result. The village of Kogelo in Western Kenya is where Barack Obama's step grandmother Sarah Obama, 86, lives and where his father, Barack Hussein Obama, Sr., was from. The village held a special prayer service to give support for Obama's presidential bid.

A bishop recites the prayer

Credit: Toby Selander / Polaris

Saturday April 14, 2007, Nyangoma Kogela, Kenya

Obama's grandmother Sarah Hussein Onyango Obama

US Presidential candidate to be Barack Obama's "home" village Nyangoma Kogela in western Kenya. His grandmother Sarah Hussein Onyango Obama is his biggest supporter.

Credit: Toby Selander / Polaris

Wednesday March 5, 2008, Manica, Mozambique

Zimbabwean workers slave in Mozambique's gold mines

The town of Manica in western Mozambique, bordering Zimbabwe, is the scene of a gold rush, and has all the problems associated with resource exploitation in a poor country: dangerous working conditions, environmental degradation and violence. An estimated 20,000 garimpeiros, as the gold panners are known in Portuguese, are spread through the area, living in encampments, without ready access to food, potable water or medical assistance. As many as half of them are young Zimbabwean men escaping the economic hardships of their homeland, where inflation has reached 2,200 percent and unemployment levels are above 80 percent. Gold mining in Mozambique resumed in the mid 1990s, after the country's 16 year civil war. Beginning in 2001, Zimbabweans crossed the border in droves as their country's economic meltdown began, earning just a dollar or two a day digging for gold in dangerous conditions.

A large open shaft mine close to Revue River, manned by 101 men, mostly Zimbabweans

Credit: Toby Selander / Polaris

Monday May 28, 2007, Polokwane, South Africa

Helena, witch village in South Africa

Maggie Mokwele, Elizabeth Ngoepe and Franciny Kekana

Credit: Toby Selander / Polaris

Tuesday November 25, 2008, Beni, Congo Drc

Child soldier Beni

They used to be child soldiers in the horrible civil war in Congo and are now rehabilitated. Kasareka Kivota (left) was 12yo when he became a soldier, but was too small to carry a weapon, but had to learn how to boil the holy water, which protects his Mai-Mai child soldier colleagues and himself from bullets. He is now 12yo and finally free, and wants to go home to his mother. Jonas Katembo (right) is today 16yo and has just come free. He was a soldier for three years, and towards the end he was armed with a submachine gun and has killed Tutsis. Sometimes he dreams about it.

Credit: Toby Selander / Polaris

Wednesday March 5, 2008, Manica, Mozambique

Zimbabwean workers slave in Mozambique's gold mines

The town of Manica in western Mozambique, bordering Zimbabwe, is the scene of a gold rush, and has all the problems associated with resource exploitation in a poor country: dangerous working conditions, environmental degradation and violence. An estimated 20,000 garimpeiros, as the gold panners are known in Portuguese, are spread through the area, living in encampments, without ready access to food, potable water or medical assistance. As many as half of them are young Zimbabwean men escaping the economic hardships of their homeland, where inflation has reached 2,200 percent and unemployment levels are above 80 percent. Gold mining in Mozambique resumed in the mid 1990s, after the country's 16 year civil war. Beginning in 2001, Zimbabweans crossed the border in droves as their country's economic meltdown began, earning just a dollar or two a day digging for gold in dangerous conditions.

Zimbabwean mother of five, Memory Mupodsa (L) digging for goldin open shaft

Credit: Toby Selander / Polaris

Monday November 24, 2008, Minova, Congo

Small clinic specializes in treating Congo rape victims

A small clinic located in the village of Minova, southern Kivu, specializes in treating rape victims. The wost cases are transfered to the city of Goma, some two hours away. Civilians in Congo continue to bear the brunt of violence sparked by clashes between government forces and rebels that flared up in August 2008.

Toyota Nabziralo, 30, breast feeds her infant daughter. Nabziralo was raped by several soldiers who, at the time, ordered her to place her 1-month-old daughter in a bag while they took turns violating her.

Credit: Toby Selander / Polaris

Wednesday November 5, 2008, Kogelo, Kenya

Obama family members in Kenya celebrate victory

Kenyan villagers celebrate in the ancestral village of U.S. President-Elect Barack Obama after he was announced the victor in the 2008 U.S. presidential election. The United States' first African-American president was elected in an electoral college landslide.

Villagers on their way to Sarah Obama's home, celebrating the candidate's victory. It is a Lou tradition to brake off branches and wave them during celebrations.

Credit: Toby Selander / Polaris

Saturday November 22, 2008, Rutshuru, Congo

Laurent Nkunda, congo rebel leader

The rebel leader in Congo Laurent Nkunda

Laurent Nkunda

Credit: Toby Selander / Polaris

Wednesday March 5, 2008, Manica, Mozambique

Zimbabwean workers slave in Mozambique's gold mines

The town of Manica in western Mozambique, bordering Zimbabwe, is the scene of a gold rush, and has all the problems associated with resource exploitation in a poor country: dangerous working conditions, environmental degradation and violence. An estimated 20,000 garimpeiros, as the gold panners are known in Portuguese, are spread through the area, living in encampments, without ready access to food, potable water or medical assistance. As many as half of them are young Zimbabwean men escaping the economic hardships of their homeland, where inflation has reached 2,200 percent and unemployment levels are above 80 percent. Gold mining in Mozambique resumed in the mid 1990s, after the country's 16 year civil war. Beginning in 2001, Zimbabweans crossed the border in droves as their country's economic meltdown began, earning just a dollar or two a day digging for gold in dangerous conditions.

Zimbabweans panning for gold in the Revue River

Credit: Toby Selander / Polaris

Toby Selander