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(REDONDO BEACH, California - May 8, 2016)  Luncheon speaker Gil Garcetti is probably better known for his work on the OJ. Simpson murder case two decades ago, than he is for his photography. But haunting photos of recent trips to Africa on various water projects brought home to us how  life changes "magically" when people no longer have to walk three or four miles, one way, three-times daily, to fetch water for their daily sustenance.
 
Photos courtesy of Gil Garcetti
 
"I was booted out of office in the November 2000 election, he said.  Long an avid photographer of urban development, Garcetti's passion for photography led him to a trip to West Africa with a nonprofit organization dedicated to drilling wells to bring clean water to the region. Through the lens of his camera he saw "the problem girls and women have having to fetch water daily.:  Teaming with World Vision, a world-wide non-profit with technical abilities, and Rotary Clubs, he raised funds for wells to be dug.
 
 
"The fresh water is right underground. You can't believe the magic that takes place, the tears of joy when people see safe, clean water for the first time.  It costs about $12,200 for World Vision to dig one well, and then they commit to it for 15 years. More importantly, girls get to go to school, microfinance programs get underway.  Access to clean, safe water changes lives."