Good morning, Uganda! Woke up under a mosquito net feeling great and ready to explore. This is sunrise on Lake Victoria.

A photo posted by Branden Harvey (@brandenharvey) on Jul 30, 2014 at 9:37pm PDT

Today we received such a warm welcome from the brilliant students at Aloet High School in Soroti. The kids put on skits, sang us songs and shared some of their stories. Such a great first experience in Uganda.

A photo posted by Branden Harvey (@brandenharvey) on Jul 31, 2014 at 12:39pm PDT

Today we commissioned a tiny private plane to fly us 30 minutes to a city that would have taken 8 hours by car. The view of all the little villages and homes was beautiful and we even got to fly over the Nile. I barely have any wifi, but I'm trying my hardest to upload all my drafted Snapchats from this airplane experience as we speak. They're pretty fun. Follow me: brandenharvey

A photo posted by Branden Harvey (@brandenharvey) on Jul 31, 2014 at 1:25pm PDT

🌅🚣 #emojisinthewild

A photo posted by Branden Harvey (@brandenharvey) on Aug 1, 2014 at 10:02am PDT

The moment I stepped into the village I was warmly welcomed by this smile. I quickly learned that Erimu Francis is a leader in his village and passionately cares for his community. Despite my minimal understanding of the language and his broken English, we were able to talk in length about his 6 children, the village's appreciation for clean water and his dreams to own livestock. It was honored to spend time with someone filled with so much joy. I feel very welcome here. #storyportrait

A photo posted by Branden Harvey (@brandenharvey) on Aug 1, 2014 at 12:15pm PDT

Under the warm African sun. Can't get enough of this perfect light.

A photo posted by Branden Harvey (@brandenharvey) on Aug 2, 2014 at 10:04am PDT

During my time in Uganda, I've been mostly photographing single mothers and their beautiful children. These women are strong, sacrificial and oh-so-caring. It would have been easy to expect these mothers to be jaded from the countless challenges they've faced, but it's been such an honor to see them come to life in front of the camera. These women have been using their photoshoots as the best excuse to let their joy come to life. This is Florence. She's a single mother and just had her cervix removed in a fight against cancer. Through @beautyforashesuganda, Florence has joined a community of women who are learning to support each other, pool their resources and work as a cooperative. Until joining this community, women like Florence never thought they'd hear other women say to them, "I know your pain." Now Florence and so many other single mothers have a safe place to share their stories. #storyportrait

A photo posted by Branden Harvey (@brandenharvey) on Aug 3, 2014 at 1:19pm PDT

Climbed a mountain to look at an even bigger mountain. Apparently this mountain doesn't have a name. It's just called "The Mountain in Soroti." Catchy.

A photo posted by Branden Harvey (@brandenharvey) on Aug 4, 2014 at 10:36am PDT

🏡

A photo posted by Branden Harvey (@brandenharvey) on Aug 4, 2014 at 2:28pm PDT

Taking a day off from work to go on a safari! So far we've seen warthogs, antelope, elephants and a giraffe. Hoping to see lions next!

A photo posted by Branden Harvey (@brandenharvey) on Aug 5, 2014 at 6:52am PDT

I always imagined safaris as boring. I figured you'd drive around in a jeep, hope to see a few animals and take a bunch of far-off photos. Today's safari was the exact opposite. We had a genuine adventure. We saw soooooo many amazing animals, had an elephant knock a tree over in front of our vehicle and got close enough to shoot iPhone photos. I had such a great time I'm going back in the morning to try to find some lions!

A photo posted by Branden Harvey (@brandenharvey) on Aug 5, 2014 at 11:49am PDT

My new friend William was an incredible guide on our safari. I've never met somebody so knowledgable about a subject. He was able to answer any question we threw at him (and led us right to the secret spot that the lions hang out!) I asked about the gun he carries and he said he only uses it to make a loud sound to scare off elephants if they begin to charge. He'd never shoot an animal. :)

A photo posted by Branden Harvey (@brandenharvey) on Aug 6, 2014 at 10:24am PDT

This week I'm learning the power of making time to affirm the people around you. I want to be better at telling old and new friends the things that make them unique, valued and special.

A photo posted by Branden Harvey (@brandenharvey) on Aug 6, 2014 at 3:51pm PDT

After an incredible few days off of shooting, I'm excited to be heading back to Soroti, Uganda to photograph more incredible women. Here's a selfie from the ferry today. Gotta love these supposedly mandatory life jackets. (PS- Last night I hit myself in the face and may have broken my nose. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Oh well!)

A photo posted by Branden Harvey (@brandenharvey) on Aug 7, 2014 at 10:01am PDT

Uganda is magical.

A photo posted by Branden Harvey (@brandenharvey) on Aug 7, 2014 at 11:28am PDT

Uganda is one big dance party. Everywhere I go, I'm greeted with dancing, singing and lots of smiles. My new friend Rita says that Ugandans dance so much because they're dancing to let their pain out. The people here have seen war, oppression, abuse, disease and violence. Knowing this makes everyone's unending joy even more powerful and beautiful.

A video posted by Branden Harvey (@brandenharvey) on Aug 9, 2014 at 8:50am PDT

Just a few years ago, Stella was so ashamed of the way she looked in her tattered clothes that she felt she could never walk into a business of any kind. Then everything changed. She joined a cooperative community with other single mothers in her village organized by @beautyforashesuganda. She learned to save her money, pool resources with other single mothers and was encouraged by other women in her same situation for the first time. Now Stella is SO proud of her new clothes. She couldn't stop talking, in the most humble way possible, about how "smart" she looks. She even has shoes! I just had to take her out for her very own portrait shoot. Doesn't she look stunning? #storyportrait

A photo posted by Branden Harvey (@brandenharvey) on Aug 10, 2014 at 1:38pm PDT

I think I have a photo of me standing on top of something tall in every country I've been to. Thanks for this shot, @ashtonmcnab! #whereonagoes

A photo posted by Branden Harvey (@brandenharvey) on Aug 10, 2014 at 9:01pm PDT

Eleven years ago, Joseph Kony and the LRA ravaged through the villages near Soroti, Uganda. The soldiers of the LRA, raped the women and girls, took all the boys as child soldiers and killed most of the men. Aside from the obvious heartbreak and terror, the attacks completely changed the culture of the nation. Any men that were left in the villages struggled with staying sober under the pressure of providing for so many widows and children. Women continue to feel the pain of being violated as countless children were born from rape. Because most of the males were captured or killed, now 50% of the population of Uganda is under the age of 15. But there is hope. I've loved meeting the boys and girls who will be the future of Uganda. Young men, like Emmanuel here, are relearning how to take care of those communities and young women, like those I've shared about already, are stepping into leadership roles. It's an honor to hear so many stories of resilience, forgiveness and joy despite so much heartbreak.

A photo posted by Branden Harvey (@brandenharvey) on Aug 11, 2014 at 8:07am PDT

Spotted on the floor of a Ugandan classroom

A photo posted by Branden Harvey (@brandenharvey) on Aug 11, 2014 at 9:23am PDT

Brandi is unlike anyone else I've ever met. She's making an incredible difference in the world through her three organizations, the way she leads by example and her ability to effortlessly identify and encourage people's best qualities. She's a single mother, caring for single mothers and widows in Uganda. She's a woman learning to experience wholeness in who she is, passing along her wisdom to those in need of understanding their own value. She's a human being who has seen and experienced abuse and oppression, fighting to rescue victims of human trafficking. @brandilea leaves you inspired, giggling and full of life. I had the best time shooting for her organization @beautyforashesuganda over the last few weeks and the impact she's making skyrocket. #storyportrait

A photo posted by Branden Harvey (@brandenharvey) on Aug 11, 2014 at 2:50pm PDT

If you've been following along with my Ugandan journey, you've probably heard me say the word "honored" again and again. I think honored is the best word I can use to describe my experience in this country. I'm honored to hear stories of hope and joy from people who have gone through terrible hardships. I'm honored that so many people trusted me to capture their human dignity in photographs. I'm honored to have learned so much from the people I met. More than I can ever repay. I'm honored to have been warmly invited into villages, homes and lives. Thank you to the incredible people at @beautyforashesuganda for hiring me to create photos for you. It's an honor to work alongside you and it's an honor to call you friends. So long, Uganda. Thanks for all the smiles. Can't wait to see you again.

A photo posted by Branden Harvey (@brandenharvey) on Aug 12, 2014 at 3:52am PDT