The Importance of a Stove

Donors like you have helped photographers fundraise 100% of project-related costs since 2014!

I am Steven Bezzio, a recent convert from office employee to Photographer. I found myself working behind spreadsheets and terminals from 9 to 5 and just waiting for the day to be over. In all of my office jobs, one way or another I found myself helping the marketing departments with photography in any way that I could.

I used to work for the United Nations in Rome and prior to that I was an intern for the United State Consulate in Milan, and they provided me with an absolutely unique learning experience. It just wasn't the learning experience I expected. I found had a real knack for photography and found my work being published not only by my employers but to the national Italian newspapers. By the end of my contract, my title had all but officially changed to Staff Photographer.

Today, I take a very large step towards becoming a properly titled professional photojournalist. I've been accepted into Photographers without Borders, a non-profit that offers a voice and medium to small NGOs that otherwise wouldn't have one. In my case, the NGO is called Potential Energy (http://potentialenergy.org) and they offer affordable stoves and solar systems to the very poorest people in Eastern Africa. Something as small as a proper stove combats the fourth largest cause of disease in the developing world.

I'm being sent to help Potential Energy get their story out to the world in a larger media platform than they have now. It starts small with this fundraiser, but will ultimately turn into a portfolio of photography which they are free to use for whatever purposes they choose. Also, Photographers without Borders will publish the story online and in a printed format to further broadcast their story into the world. 

At Photographers Without Borders we believe grassroots efforts like Potential Energy are sustainable and impactful because they are created for the people by the people. Our hope is that by amplifying grassroots voices and building their capacity for communication. 

Photographers Without Borders® (PWB) envisions a world where we all put ourselves in each others' shoes and work together. Our mission is to inform and inspire positive change by visually communicating the ways that grassroots initiatives are addressing problems in their communities. PWB is registered as a charity in the United States with 501(c)(3) status and is registered as a not-for-profit organization in Canada. All donations are calculated in US Dollars and are tax-deductible for Americans and Canadians with US income.

PWB is not responsible for any donations made outside of these pages.

Any overage amounts raised on GroupRev will be donated and disbursed 50/50, between the photographer's/videographer's assigned cause and PWB, which is also a volunteer-run organization.

PLEASE DONATE GENEROUSLY !

Learn more about PWB.

All donations are calculated in US Dollars and are tax-deductible for Americans and Canadians with US income.