copyright kate borgelt photography - all rights reserved.

To watch our journey in Ecuador unfold, please CLICK HERE

To watch our journey in Rwanda unfold, please CLICK HERE

Macuchi, Ecuador:

The READ organization is focused on removing the barriers that keep people from getting an education in rural areas of Cotopaxi, Ecuador. Their goal is to provide the educational resources necesary - so that teachers are empowered to teach and that students with a desire to learn, can do so... ultimately creating a lasting impact on the community through supporting education.

A daunting task, when family priorities are often consumed with the very important, daily goal of getting food on the table - but the READ organization is making waves... and lives and communities are changing.

This summer READ completed the construction of a regional library in rural Cotopaxi, serving a surrounding community of approximately 6,000. Imagine a building filled with books, computers... a place to learn! Imagine the possibility! I was so honored to be a part of it all!

Child and Family Photographer, Golden CO- Kate Borgelt Photography- RWANDA

Nyabikiri, Rwanda:

The people of Nyabikiri have a strong hold on my heart, but it wasn't always that way. It wasn't that easy. I just don't think that is how heart strings operate.

But over the last four years, I have felt pulled to this small remote village in Rwanda. Partially because of a friendship I began with a girl I sponsor in the village, but also because I wanted to do more...

I recently traveled to Nyabikiri in partnership with the international non-profit, Food for the Hungry and Pathways Church in Denver, When we arrived, the reality that the village had no source of clean drinking water - hit hard.

HEART STRINGS...

I believe in heart strings. They are hard to explain, but it is that tiny tug or the soft whisper you hear and you know it is your heart almost indescribably pulling you in a direction to do something, make a decision, get involved, make a change... to be to be a part of something bigger than yourself.

The pull is different for everyone and you don't need to justify it - it just is what it is. Thank goodness.

It is my prayer, that I will always continue to use my gift of photography to give life to where my heart strings pull me and tell stories. Important stories. Stories for those who may have a harder time being heard. I want to bring a megaphone to their voice in hope that a few more people will hear...and maybe, together, we will even tug on their heart strings and convince them to be a part of something much bigger than themselves.

This is one place I hope to share those stories, so I hope you stop by often.

xo Kate