The series is titled 'This world is (not) mine'. Can you explain it?

The title is inspired by the life of a 16-year-old boy, Paul, whom I met in the fields. His appearance, his gaze, and his tone of voice immediately struck me. I simply had to go back the next day to find out more about him. Paul had a terrible childhood; he lost his parents at 12 and lived completely alone for several years. He literally felt, "I don't belong to this world."

Fortunately, about a year ago, after another family had taken him in and abused him, a mother with seven other children took him in. She offered him work, a bed, but more importantly, "a home." Because she is one of the project's beneficiary families, she is able to provide her household with clean water. It's a tough, but small paradise there, where they can grow food for themselves and sell it. Gradually, the boy is returning to this world, theirs, ours, and mine. And new, beautiful memories are replacing the old, bad ones.

After meeting Paul, I visited another family within the project. I find it fascinating that if you strip away all the material and political context and look only at the individual and their loved ones, our two worlds might not be so different after all. Clean drinking water helps reduce the gap between the two worlds and helps us realize that this world is for all of us.

What was it like for you shooting this series in such an unfamiliar location?

I was a bit nervous beforehand about the timeline and the promised footage, because you agree in advance to deliver both documentary and autonomous work. It was hard, focused work; we visited many different areas of the project. I had to wait a lot during the Ugandan rainstorms, which limited the dry periods for shooting. And it got dark early. But that waiting also brought me unplanned and beautiful moments that I wouldn't have experienced otherwise.

When are you satisfied with your work?

Oh, that's a difficult question. I think it's when my work has an extra layer. When the photo isn't just 'beautiful' or aesthetically pleasing. When you ask yourself: "Who is that? What's their story?" I don't want to reveal or explain too much about the people I portray. Ideally, there's an element in the image that reminds you of your own experiences and feelings, your childhood, your own thoughts. And satisfaction also has to do with time, the durability of a photo; I'm satisfied when, after a longer period of time, I can still look at the image with curiosity.

How did you like visiting Uganda?

"I've been to Africa several times before, but Uganda was new to me. Aside from the heavy rain, the experience was comparable. I love the pace there and feel at home. Trips like this are good for me.

The lack of luxury and even electricity, the people you meet, the physical sensations of the elements, and the fact that you're truly away from home, creates a good balance in my life. The best choices I've made in life have been after trips like this.

What was it like to visit the clean drinking water project?

It was striking to see how relatively simple and small things can make such a big difference; through education, microcredit, and awareness of responsibility. What surprised me was that water is actually so much more than just drinking water. People in the villages see access to water as a blessing; it's a valuable resource we're not always aware of in Western society. It's necessary for drinking, washing, and raising livestock, but it also creates many opportunities for work and income. For growing vegetables or making clay bricks that can be sold. Most importantly, once the basics like hygiene, food, and a home are met, people can focus on other important things in life, such as development, school, work, or caring for others, like Paul. As a photographer, it's also refreshing to use water as a starting point. You see it everywhere: in the light, in the air, in the puddles, in the kitchen. You see it everywhere.

What will you take home from this experience?

"That water is actually the basis of everything. It has never been so clear to me as it is now. If the foundation is good, people can develop to higher levels. And it all starts with water."