Raised by a single mother, 28-year-old Richard Karegeya found his calling in humanitarian work and photography at a very young age. It has been a safe haven and daily therapy for him, he says, because everybody has something that makes them feel at peace. “Growing up, I liked movies and photography. My mother had always encouraged me to discover what I can do. Then in high school, I had the chance to use my friend’s camera. I loved taking pictures. I had a dream to become a photographer ever since,” he says. “But there was no hope for this dream, until I found support. My mother wasn’t able to pay my school fees, however, I was sponsored and finished high school. The sponsorship continued even to university. And that’s what inspired me to help others too,” he adds. 28-year-old Richard Karegeya has been passionate about humanitarian work and photography since he was a child. Born in Uganda but raised in Rwanda, Karegeya started his photography journey in 2016 with the main objective to focus on human welfare and women empowerment. “There are many types of photography, but being a humanitarian photographer means looking for ways to value and celebrate people. It means finding ways to help the world see every person as valuable, and showing that we have reason to celebrate each other’s accomplishments, hopes, and dreams,” he says. He adds, “Humanitarian photography is a unique kind that combines many skills such as technique and communication, but more than that it means looking with your heart through your camera.” Some of the people the photographer has met on his journey. Photography became his world, and Karegeya realised that growing up without a father is one of the spurs behind his work. “Photography is where I feel free, where I try to understand what I can’t understand, and where I think about life. It makes me feel good and calm, and I want to be the voice to other fatherless kids, or women who take on parenting alone,” he says. Karegeya says his aim is to help people. “I always try to respect their dignity and safety. On some occasions, not taking photos or not showing faces might be better. I make sure that my photos reach the proper target, that is, people or institutions that can help them. Sometimes as a humanitarian photographer, I can even risk my own life to take a good photo, and it is not to get money or fame for myself, but to support people in need,” he says. The photographer also says that he has experienced a boost through the big impact his photography is creating in society. “Being a humanitarian photographer helps communities to identify their opportunities and challenges, help them believe in themselves, and look for sustainable answers for real change. This job allows me to help my family and to build my personality in the community,” he notes. He adds that so far, his great achievement is a project of 300 vulnerable children whom he took pictures of and later got sponsors from an organisation that offered them full support, including going back to school, providing necessary materials, and so on. The photographer advises young snappers to think beyond fame and money, it is about what the community really needs. Asked about future plans, Karegeya says that he wants to reach a big number of people and become a voice for them through photography. “The bigger the audience gets the more fulfilled I will be as my dream is to reach a big number of people in need,” he says. On this journey, Karegeya has faced challenges but that hasn’t discouraged him. “Every photographer faces challenges, but I would say the most challenging thing I face is that some people don’t understand this type of photography. Some people need to be educated to feel comfortable to share their stories. Another challenge is materials that are costly,” he says. Karegeya currently works with Africa New Life Ministries, where he does photography and documentaries.
