For over 25 years, the International Community for Relief of Starvation and Suffering (ICROSS) has funneled its limited resources into combating disease and implementing prevention mechanisms within the myriad native tribes in East Africa, as well as in other disadvantaged parts of the world. In East Africa specifically, ICROSS aims at providing long-term social and medical assistance to the nomadic communities of the sub-Saharan region, a distinct challenge given the tribes’ way of life. ICROSS uniquely acts as a catalyst, improving health and living standards by establishing community owned and operated programs.
ICROSS projects include, but are not limited to: HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria prevention, community based primary heath care, children’s rights, poverty reduction, community strengthening, water sanitation, infant mortality control, and much more. The details of each can be found at the ICROSS website below.
Currently, ICROSS has focused its attention on the worsening droughts in Southern Kenya’s Maasailand. Severe water shortages have led to mass migration and an increase in dehydration and malnutrition throughout these areas. As a result, 65% of domestic herds have died, leaving the remaining people starving. When the infrequent arrive, they bring with them an increase of malaria and other water-born disease.
ICROSS is made up of 700 volunteers, the majority being trained as community health workers or home based care workers, working in the communities they serve. Their work continues through the generous support of donors.
In January 2010, Rubin will volunteer his time and resources to ICROSS in Kenya where he will document the NGO’s healthcare programs in the face of the aforementioned hardships facing the local tribes. By living in the communities’ huts and interacting with the tribal members in all aspects of their daily life, Rubin anticipates forging personal relationships with the people in an effort to best capture and communicate telling stories of their lives.
Through the recording of photographic stills, video, and audio, and in collaboration with ICROSS director, Michael Meegan, and UK television director, Penelope Shales, the team will create multimedia documentaries to help raise awareness for the tribes’ struggles and the healthcare programs currently sustaining the many communities.
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Martha’s Table is a Washington, DC non-profit formed in 1980 dedicated to nourishing the community through food, education and clothing. Their mission is to help at-risk youth, families and individuals in the community improve their lives by providing educational programs, food, clothing and enrichment opportunities.
In August 2009, Rubin spent time with the children of Martha’s Table, taking photographs for the non-profit’s new website, newsletters, and other various marketing efforts. The children’s ages ranged from several months to upwards of 8 years old, and besides being highly entertaining, they made for wonderful photographs. At just 3 years old, many happily posed, and then quickly ran to the back of the camera after the snap to check the resulting image! Rubin greatly enjoyed his time at Martha’s Table and looks forward to checking back in 2010!
Check out the slideshow video on the Martha’s Table blog!
