Burundi’s children left behind
This is long-term photojournalism project. An 18-month assignment built photo by photo, which reaches the furthest communities and most rural areas of Burundi. Through conversations with vulnerable children, and hearing their stories, Juan documents what life is like as a child in Burundi.
This series looks to introduce the audience to the resilience, suffering, strength, and hope of those who are forced to become adults too soon.
Water scarcity
Burundi is one of the most densely populated countries in Africa with nearly half of the population lacking access to clean, safe drinking water. Water scarcity in Burundi is a crisis, particularly for children. When people have to rely on unsafe water, they become weak, malnourished and susceptible to water-borne diseases, which are among the leading causes of death in children under five. These diseases continue to be endemic in many areas of Burundi.
On the border of Tanzania, children and adults alike work to collect water from dirty puddles and rivers, which can have catastrophic consequences if not treated correctly.
Hunger
The hunger crisis remains critical for those who decided, or had no choice but to stay in this small, volatile country of East Africa. Food prices are steadily rising while income levels are dropping and employment opportunities becoming scarce. The poorest families, particularly in rural areas, have been so deeply affected by the situation that Burundi now has one of the highest rates of malnutrition in the world.
