Brent Stirton/Reportage by Getty Images

Conservation Rangers from an anti-poaching unit work with locals to evacuate the bodies of four mountain gorrillas killed in mysterious circumstances in the park, Virunga National Park, Eastern Congo, 24 July 2007. A silver-back alpha male, the leader of the group was shot, three females were also killed.

In the latest Getty Images podcast, Getty Images CEO and Co-Founder Jonathan Klein recently talked with staff photographer Brent Stirton to discuss how Brent uses photojournalism not only to tell powerful stories but to prompt change.

Brent is a senior staff photographer for Reportage by Getty Images. He specializes in documentary work and he is renowned for his humanitarian efforts around the world. His images not only earn highly acclaimed awards, such as the Visa d’Or, World Press Photo and the Overseas Press Club, but also gain much needed attention to subjects that he is very passionate about. In fact, he was named by American Photo magazine as one of the ten heroes of photojournalism in 2007.

On my last day in Cape Town, South Africa my alarm chimed at 5 AM. For me, being up at such an early hour would usually mean a trip to the airport to visit my clients in D.C. or Boston, but today was different - in the best possible way. Today was the day that I would meet and interview the esteemed Bishop Tutu.

It was a huge honor to share space with Bishop Tutu, who is an inspiring and beloved religious figure. He has a powerful charisma and infectious sense of humor that is matched only by his intelligence and genuine caring for other human beings.

The scope of achievements Bishop Tutu has accomplished during his lifetime are too numerous to mention, however I wanted to briefly touch on a couple of the most notable roles he’s played:

• He is the recipient of the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize for his contribution to the liberation struggle in 1978, when he became the first black secretary of the South African Council of Churches. As a dynamic leader of this council, Desmond Tutu’s goal was for “a democratic and just society without racial segregation.”

• Following the 1976 Soweto protests, during which Hector Peterson F.E.T. School’s namesake was killed, there was a country-wide uprising against apartheid. It’s from this point on that Bishop Tutu became a supporter of the economic boycott of his country, which played a significant part in dismantling the apartheid regime.

• As the moral conscience of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa, described Tutu as “sometimes strident, often tender, never afraid and seldom without humor. Desmond Tutu’s voice will always be the voice of the voiceless.”

Our meeting with Bishop Tutu began with a private service at the St. Georges Cathedral, which is located in the central business district in Cape Town. Being Anglican, but perhaps not attending church as much as I should, it was interesting to compare and contrast the services from my native home of Australia. The service was relatively informal and the advent of humor was somewhat refreshing compared with the more traditional services I am accustomed to.

While you might think that it would be intimidating to meet Bishop Tutu, I found him to be very down to earth and approachable. After the church service, we headed to his favorite local cafe for breakfast and a well-earned coffee. It was then onto the interview.

I will always remember Tutu’s accessibility and willingness to be a part of the cause to help raise awareness of the Bridges to Understanding charity. He responded to my questions with insight that demonstrated a solid understanding of the issues with education and impoverished communities within South Africa.

At the conclusion of the interview, Bishop Tutu, who is somewhat shorter than I am, leaned up and whispered in my ear, “Now, I must go. Thank you for helping South Africa.”

With a wave from his bodyguard to signal the need to continue moving, we said our goodbyes and he walked off to his waiting vehicle.

Catherine Parker/Getty Images

We visited the Methodist Church of Southern Africa to attend a service that Parishner Bram had organized.

Catherine Parker/Getty Images

The church itself is relatively dilapidated, which is similiar to the condition that you find most structures in the settlement. There are large holes in the walls and ceiling and a lack of chairs for anyone to sit.

Due to the strength of the Christian faith in the Wallacedene settlement,  worshippers are not deterred from attending. Every Sunday, the four hour long service is packed with individuals from the local community.

Catherine Parker/Getty Images

The atmosphere of the church is something to be experienced and difficult to describe through words. The only way to truly experience it is to hear it for yourself:

 

 Sunday Services [1:19m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I hope you’ll be as moved as we were.

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MEXICO CITY - AUGUST 04: Former U.S. President Bill Clinton is seen on a video screen as he delivers the keynote address at the 2008 World AIDS conference August 4, 2008 in Mexico City, Mexico. 

Mexico City was a complete blur. After checking in and then out of the Hotel Camino Real Aeropuerto Mexico in less than an hour, we headed off to a press/delegation luncheon at the Four Seasons. I was hoping that since we were in Mexico, the lunch would be an assortment of local food (I love Mexican food). I was disappointed when service staff in neatly starched outfits brought out trays of chicken caeser wraps (which they tried to make sound Mexican by calling it a burrito), French fries and turkey sandwiches. The only thing that was remotely close to Mexican fare was guacamole and homemade chips - which were fantastic!

 The lunch was quick but it felt good to sit outside on the patio. We were soon gathered up and moved to the motorcade. We were headed to my last stop of the trip, the World AIDS Conference. Bill would be giving the keynote address.

The convention hall was enourmous. So big, in fact, that it looked empty. The media mob was insane! There had to have been at least 30 photographers jammed up against the stage in front of the podium. Before Bill came out, the security people made all of the photographers move from that spot into the aisles. This was great, because I have no idea how anyone was going to get a picture that way. It also opened things up a bit for Barb and I to move around.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

MEXICO CITY - AUGUST 04: Former U.S. President Bill Clinton delivers the keynote address at the 2008 World AIDS conference August 4, 2008 in Mexico City, Mexico. 

Midway through the speech I moved up to the stage. A security guard came up to me and said that I had to move back to the riser. I showed him my Clinton staff credential and he quickly and politely smiled, said thank you and walked away. No less than four minutes later he returned. It was a repeat performance of our last encounter. This happened two more times.

For once filing the images was easy. I could actually use the Sprint card instead of the BGAN or painfully slow and erratic hotel wi-fi. My pictures were filed quickly and I was done.

The airport was a breeze to get through. The departures board showed that my Mexicana flight to San Francisco was on time. Thank God. The first on time flight in a week! I had plenty of time to visit the duty free and stock up on my beloved tequila. I was dead tired, but happy to be going home.

But of course, what would this trip be without one more job? The on-time status of Mexicana 972 had now changed to delayed. Albeit a short 45 minute delay, it was still a delay. All I wanted to do was get on that plane and rest my head against the wall and go to sleep.

When I finally boarded the plane and found my row, I noticed that I wasn’t going to be able to sleep that easily. The middle seat was occupied by a toddler who spent the trip crying, bouncing, kicking and being punished by her short tempered father. Needless to say, I am looking forward to my bed and a few days off.

Catherine Parker/Getty Images

It’s certainly been a whirlwind tour thus far at the informal Wallacedene settlement in Cape Town, South Africa.

The settlement is located near the heart of the picturesque wine country, but the shanty village of Wallacedene is far from the glowing beauty of its close neighbors. When you enter the community of Wallacedene, the poverty is immediately apparant. Stray, malnourished dogs wander the streets in search of food while children play amongst the rubbish that is littered throughout the streets.

Catherine Parker/Getty Images

It’s these conditions that led to the topic of our digital story, “Environmental Hazards,” which highlights the impact pollution is having on the health of the children in the Wallacedene settlement.

Catherine Parker/Getty Images

Mothusi Mokhalimetso, one of the brightest learners at the school, was a victim of the squalid way of life in his community, contracting and almost dying from tuberculosis (TB). TB is a common and often deadly infectious disease that usually attacks the lungs. Typical symptoms include chronic coughing with blood tinged mucas, fever, night sweats and weight loss. The disease is spread through the air, and due to the close living proximity of residents in these villages, sick residents are often treated as outcasts.

One of the lucky few to survive, Mothusi is now sharing his story as part of the Bridges to Understanding workshop experience.

Catherine Parker/Getty Images - Mothusi Mokhalimetso is ready to share his story.

Unfortunately, TB is not the only killer in the Wallacedene settlement, around 60% of people in the settlement have AIDS, some of which even contracting it from birth.

Luthando Home Care Center takes in HIV infected and affected orphans and toddlers that are vulnerable to this disease. They provide them with food, shelter and access to social grants, particularly for those orphans who have no family to care for them.

Here I am with several of the orphans…

The children are incredibly affectionate, they want to cuddle you, be held close, climb all over you and play with your camera equipment. They are so little and cute, but in the back of your mind, you know this is the case because many have grown up malnourished and their growth has been stunted.

In spite of their struggles, in spite of the disease, dirty water and lack of sewage systems and sanitation, the people in Wallacedene remain upbeat. Their song and culture is what seems to keep them going, and they take each day as it comes.

Catherine Parker/Getty Images

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images 

MONROVIA, LIBERIA - AUGUST 03: A young boy sells peanuts as former U.S. President Bill Clinton tours an outdoor market August 3, 2008 in Monrovia, Liberia.

It was still dark when we rolled out of the parking lot of Hotel Rwanda. Once again, the night didn’t yield enough sleep, but it was the best night of the trip so far. A solid five hours on the still, little twin bed.

When we arrived at the airport, the Ethiopian 767 that was sitting on the tarmac a day earlier had shrunk. Overnight the plane was switched out with a 727. Despite leaving the hotel at around 4:30 AM, I think our wheels went up around 7 AM. We took on much of Bill’s secret service agents as his plane only seats 28.

The leg to Monrovia, Liberia was nice and smooth. It’s always a little difficult to transfer over to a chartered commercial airline. The flight attendants are pretty strict about things like seat belts, electronics being turned on during take-off and landing and gear being stowed. They’re pretty much by the book. When on a private charter it’s a whole different ball game. For the most part, you can get away with anything. I’ve been transmitting pictures while drinking a beer as the plane lifts off, praying that the images will drop into the FTP site before we get out of range. Orange bowling is always popular, although I didn’t see any of that on this trip. There was some aisle surfing though and the flight attendant even asked if we wanted to smoke on the flight when we left from NY. Thankfully, nobody took her up on it.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

MONROVIA, LIBERIA - AUGUST 03: The motorcade of former U.S. President Bill Clinton drives down a road August 3, 2008 in Monrovia, Liberia.

Monrovia was grey and rainy when we arrived. The airport was overrun with all types of UN equipment. Helicopters, planes, personnel carriers, you name it. After years of conflict, the country was pulling itself back together, one small piece at a time. Bill would be touring examples of progress in the country, a hotel under construction and a women’s outdoor market.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

MONROVIA, LIBERIA - AUGUST 03: Former U.S. President Bill Clinton tours the Golden Key Hotel construction site August 3, 2008 in Monrovia, Liberia. 

He would also be meeting with the president to announce a new program to offer cheap malaria drugs.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

MONROVIA, LIBERIA - AUGUST 03: Former U.S. President Bill Clinton (L) talks with Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia, during a news conference where he announced a program to reduce the cost of malaria drugs August 3, 2008 in Monrovia, Liberia.

As our UN led motorcade made its way toward Monrovia, we passed UN soldiers along the road with their bright blue helmets and various patterns of camouflage. There were dozens of deteriorating billboards with public service messages about AIDS, malaria and rape. All the bizarre cartoon drawings of people having sex, families sleeping under mosquito netting alongside anti-rape “no means no” situations. There was also an abundance of gas stations. I wanted to stop the motorcade and indulge in some gas price features.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

MONROVIA, LIBERIA - AUGUST 03: Former U.S. President Bill Clinton (C) greets a group of men while touring an outdoor market August 3, 2008 in Monrovia, Liberia. 

After touring the hotel and market, we went to an embassy for the meeting with the president. The delegation and the press were treated to bag lunches with several choices of meat - including crab. I don’t think anyone wanted to risk that one. I had the cheese with a bag of poppy seed, grilled sun dried tomato and garlic Doritos. I am surprised there wasn’t any Pringles, the leading third world chip. There were several cans of Fanta Orange, the official third world soda.

Our time on the ground was short, a mere six hours before heading off to Dakar, Senegal. Like Liberia, our time in Dakar was short, about five hours. When we landed I noticed it was much warmer here than the places we had been. It felt like Miami. Our one event was pretty dull. A press conference about AIDS medication offered at a reduced cost. An important issue, but incredibly boring. I was nodding off while standing.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

DAKAR, SENEGAL - AUGUST 03: Former U.S. President Bill Clinton walks off of stage after speaking during a news conference where he announced a program to reduce the cost of AIDS drugs August 3, 2008 in Dakar, Senegal.

After the conference we took a long overnight flight to Mexico City.  The good news was that we had plenty of room to stretch out on the flight. I was able to get about five hours of sleep and enjoyed several cocktails with Matt McKenna and Jon Davidson - it was fun.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

RWINKWAVU, RWANDA - AUGUST 02: Jean Pierre, (L) an HIV and cancer patient, stands with a woman who takes care of him while meeting with former U.S. President Bill Clinton at a rural healthcare clinic August 2, 2008 in Rwinkwavu, Rwanda. 

Rwanda is an amazingly beautiful country. It is by far the cleanest developing country that I have ever been to. The streets in Kigali are spotless. You have to look really hard to see any signs of litter. The same goes for the rural areas. Someone said that a government imposed ban on plastic bags is a main factor for the cleanliness. There has to be more to it.

The day began early today. We were loaded in the buses and headed to the airport to get on helicopters that would fly us out to a village where they grow cassava. The Rwandan Air Force transport helicopters fit in with all of our other aircraft on this trip, antiquated. Thankfully, the three Mi-8 Hip Helicopters made it through the day without malfunctions.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

BURERA, RWANDA - AUGUST 02: Former U.S. President Bill Clinton waves to villagers after attending a groundbreaking ceremony for a new hospital August 2, 2008 in Burera, Rwanda. 

After flying over rolling hills dotted with small huts and farms that looked a patchwork quilt, we landed on a dirt soccer field in Rwinkwavu. At the edge of the field you could see people perectly lined up, fixated with the helicopters. There must have been 100 people just standing there and more were running down the dirt road.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

BURERA, RWANDA - AUGUST 02: Former U.S. President Bill Clinton waves to villagers after attending a groundbreaking ceremony for a new hospital August 2, 2008 in Burera, Rwanda.

We drove in a van to the first event down a smooth brick red dirt road. As we drove along the road kicking up chalky red dust that clung to the roadside vegetation, kids ran from their homes to see a vanload of white people. Since we were ahead of the president, we had a chance to walk through one of the villages and talk to some of the villagers. It seemed like every resident was standing in front of their mud houses.

After Bill looked at a cassava field with a couple of farmers, we visited a rural healthcare clinic and then we flew over to another village while he dined with the president of Rwanda. We had box lunches.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

RWINKWAVU, RWANDA - AUGUST 02: Former U.S. President Bill Clinton (2nd-R) and his daughter Chelsea (R) visit a cassava farm August 2, 2008 in Rwinkwavu, Rwanda.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

RWINKWAVU, RWANDA - AUGUST 02: Former U.S. President Bill Clinton (2nd-R) and his daughter Chelsea (R) visit a cassava farm August 2, 2008 in Rwinkwavu, Rwanda.

When our helicopters took off, the same 100 people looked on. A group of about 15 kids had made their way to a closer vantage point, about 10 yards away. They ignored orders from a police officer to move back. When we lifted off, the rotor wash sandblasted the kids with red dusty dirt. They actually seemed to like it as they were blown around, some falling over, but still jumping up and down with excitement. A similar scene happened later in the day, but this time it was a group of singers. They didn’t seem as happy about it.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

BURERA, RWANDA - AUGUST 02: A group of women sing before former U.S. President Bill Clinton arrived by helicopter to take part in a groundbreaking ceremony for a new hospital August 2, 2008 in Burera, Rwanda.

While Bill chowed down with the president, we sat in the bus for hours near the soccer field heliport. It was here that my fatigue started to show. I was attempting to get some work done and inadvertently erased one of my flash cards, one that had several images that I really liked. The photos of Chelsea getting her nose pinched by a little girl…gone. The kids getting sandblasted was also one for the memory. It was a nightmare. And once again, the day was turning south.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

RWINKWAVU, RWANDA - AUGUST 02: A baby pinches the nose of Chelsea Clinton as her and her father, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, visit a rural healthcare clinic August 2, 2008 in Rwinkwavu, Rwanda. 

Then it was time to go to the hotel, which wasn’t the same hotel as the night before since a last minute change has us staying here one more night. The room situation was bad. As a matter of fact, for a while there, we weren’t even sure that anyone would even have a room. Seems that while the advance team was hanging with us all day, important things like making sure rooms were being reserved and who would be staying where went unchecked.

We were all at the Novotel Hotel trying to figure out who was staying where. The front desk claimed they only had 10 rooms. We needed 18. While this mini crisis unfolded, David Braun of National Geographic and I looked on as one of the advance persons took the time to iron out her personal travel plans and another worked diligently to organize a tour of the Genocide Museum which would be closing in less than an hour.  Meanwhile, we all waited. I stared out the front door and watched as dozens of couples had weddings in a grassy area in front of the hotel. I’m too tired to lift a camera.

When everyone finally got checked in, I learned that I could have been in my hotel much earlier since I wasn’t even staying at that hotel. I was instead at the Hotel Des Mille Collines, better known as Hotel Rwanda. In 1994, the hotel gave shelter to thousands during the Rwandan Genocide. I thought that it was going to be really cool to stay here, but I was very disappointed. Maybe I wasn’t being fair. Maybe I had just reached the tipping point and exhaustion had taken over. But, when I think four star hotel, a single bed and a plastic fan in the corner doesn’t come to mind.

My time at Hotel Rwanda will be short. Bag call is at 3:30am. Load and go is at 4am. Liberia, here we come.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

DEBRE ZEIT, ETHIOPIA - AUGUST 01: Two boys play with a cellular phone as former U.S. President Bill Clinton tours the Godino Health Center August 1, 2008 in Debre Zeit, Ethiopia. Former President Clinton is visiting Clinton Foundation projects in four African countries over before heading to Mexico City to give a keynote address at the World AIDS Conference.

I am currently on an assignment covering former President Bill Clinton on a trip to Africa. The seven day journey began in New York (well, Newark, NJ to be exact) and travels through four countries in Africa: Ethiopia, Rwanda, Liberia and Senegal. We end our trip in Mexico City at the World AIDS Conference.

We had a rough start to the trip due to mechanical problems on the plane. For more about those issues, check out my own personal blog. But one thing that has really been impressive to me over the last three days is that nobody has complained. Not even once. Everyone has just rolled with the punches.

With three days off the schedule, I am curious to see how the rest of the trip pans out. Matt McKenna, Clinton’s spokesman and a good friend, says we are still going to all of the countries that we were originally slated for, just in fewer days - that means five countries in four days. I think we might have dropped a day off the Rwanda leg.

Either way, we are all eager to get going on the tours that are scheduled. We started in a village called Debre Zeit where Bill toured the Godino Health Center, one of the facilities that is funded by Bill’s foundation. The hour and a half drive in a tiny bus took us through several villages and towns. The imagery was incredible. There were many times I wished I could have hopped off the bus and snapped photos of the street scenes.

The village was very cool. At least a thousand villagers came out to see Bill. Kids marched in big groups down the dirt road to a field where the president spoke. They carried Ethiopian flags and sang songs. It was incredible to see.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

DEBRE ZEIT, ETHIOPIA - AUGUST 01: Children carry Ethiopian flags as they walk down a road before former U.S. President Bill Clinton tours the Godino Health Center August 1, 2008 in Debre Zeit, Ethiopia. Former President Clinton is visiting Clinton Foundation projects in four African countries over before heading to Mexico City to give a keynote address at the World AIDS Conference.

Bill arrived late, as he normally does, and toured the medical facility before speaking to a large crowd. It was set up like a campaign event, but didn’t play out like one. The president spoke in short sentences and his words were translated. The crowd politely applauded and waved their country’s flag after each line. There were a few nice moments for pictures.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

DEBRE ZEIT, ETHIOPIA - AUGUST 01: Former U.S. President Bill Clinton (L) and his daughter Chelsea Clinton (C) tour the Godino Health Center August 1, 2008 in Debre Zeit, Ethiopia. Former President Clinton is visiting Clinton Foundation projects in four African countries over before heading to Mexico City to give a keynote address at the World AIDS Conference.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

DEBRE ZEIT, ETHIOPIA - AUGUST 01: Former U.S. President Bill Clinton waves to a crowd after he visited the Godino Health Center August 1, 2008 in Debre Zeit, Ethiopia. Former President Clinton is visiting Clinton Foundation projects in four African countries over before heading to Mexico City to give a keynote address at the World AIDS Conference.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

DEBRE ZEIT, ETHIOPIA - AUGUST 01: Former U.S. President Bill Clinton greets villagers after he visited the Godino Health Center August 1, 2008 in Debre Zeit, Ethiopia. Former President Clinton is visiting Clinton Foundation projects in four African countries over before heading to Mexico City to give a keynote address at the World AIDS Conference.

When Bill was finished we loaded back into the tiny bus and made the hot and bumpy ride back to the airport. Our next stop was Kigali, Rwanda where we would be taking helicopters to a coffee plantation. However, due to even more mechanical issues (this time with a different plane) we didn’t arrive in Kigali until after dark and the helicopter ride was canceled. Instead, Bill had dinner with the press and I had dinner with a friend.

Hopefully the plane Gods will be with us tomorrow.

Brent Stirton/Getty Images

I went to Ukraine to work on HIV issues because, at the time, it was experiencing the fastest acceleration of HIV infection in the world. I had very little time on this trip, it’s an expensive place to work and I was covering the worst elements of the HIV crisis in a 14-day sprint across the country. After a whirlwind tour across half Ukraine, a horror show of disease, ignorance and neglect, I came eventually to Donetsk, a bleak industrial ruin of a town.

Industry has collapsed since the fall of communism and the majority of the population live in the abject poverty of prolonged unemployment, men and women living each day under a cloud of impotent fatalism. There is very little possibility of improved circumstances and people know that. They looked at me with a mixture of resignation and contempt, as well as a rare opportunity for cash made manifest.

(more…)

Tom Stoddart/Getty Images

I have been documenting the AIDS pandemic in Sub-Sahara Africa for about five years. Nearly 9,000 Africans die from the disease everyday, leaving millions of children orphaned. By the time you have finished watching the short, yet powerful film below, around 30 people will have died from AIDS.

You can’t escape AIDS in Africa - you are either infected or affected.

 

 Tom Stoddart video [4:49m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download