In March 2019, Cyclone Idai struck Mozambique, causing over 1,000 deaths and incalculable damage. Beira, one of the coastal cities most affected, was razed to the ground. Four years later, the city is still recovering, but the fear of another disaster remains, as it is estimated that within 30 years much of the city of Beira will be submerged by water.

This photographic work explores the fragile balance between man, water and spirituality in Mozambique, one of the most affected areas in the world by the catastrophic effects of climate change.

In August 2023, I had the honor of joining a small Italian NGO, Amici per l’Africa, to document their mission to build four drinking water wells in Beira.

In Africa water is more than just a necessity: it is a sacred gift, a source of both life and death, and a powerful symbol of faith and resilience. And in a poor country where people lack basic resources, the duality of water is even more pronounced.

I was moved by the deep faith and devotion of the Mozambican people, because water wells are a tangible reminder of God’s love and presence, even in the midst of suffering. In Africa water is also associated with the ancestors, who are believed to play an important role in the lives of the living. And in the context of climate change, water takes on an even deeper spiritual significance: for people who have lost their homes and livelihoods to natural disasters, water can be a symbol of hope and renewal.

As I documented the wells being built in the surviving villages, I realized this was the story I needed to tell, to honor the resilience of the African people and inspire others to help.