For nearly a decade, my life revolved around creating global telehealth solutions at a US-based international development organization, supporting HIV programs in over 45 countries. Then in January 2025, abruptly, came stop-work orders and funding cuts in January 2025. Most of our projects halted overnight, colleagues let go, lives disrupted, and futures uncertain. In the heavy silence following the stop-work orders, I watched years of collective effort unravel, feeling the profound personal toll alongside the professional devastation.
Yet, amidst this turmoil, came unexpected moments of quiet reflection. These forced pauses offered clarity—a bitter-sweet reminder of the historical impact of our work and the humanity at stake. International development always held imperfections, biases, and blind spots, yet its sudden dismantling left a glaring void. What remains are the individuals on the front lines—health workers, community leaders, and patients—whose resilience persists despite uncertainty.
Photography has always anchored me, guiding my eyes toward what truly matters: human connection, fragile moments of strength, quiet courage. With the future of global aid uncertain, I now feel called to shift focus. I want to illuminate those front-line stories, capture the raw truths and quiet victories amidst chaos, and perhaps reimagine what the future of aid could look like if centered on dignity, resilience, and genuine human connection.
In this blur of crisis and clarity, I see photography as my way forward—a chance to bear witness, advocate through artistry, and remind us of the human lives behind policy shifts and program cuts. Perhaps, in doing so, we'll better understand the path ahead.
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Help amplify these important stories! Contributing on GoFundMe helps Ben cover project-related expenses including field-work, engaging local organizations, producing photos and stories, and dissemination.