The subjects of the first photograph, Exodus, are three sisters who had recently moved into the orphanage with their mother. Their mother had abducted the girls from their foster home in Los Angeles, CA and came to Mexico seeking employment and refuge. The orphanage hired her to care for the infants, providing room and board for the family. At the time of this photograph, the girls were still timidly assimilating into life at the orphanage and spent most of their time together. This didn't last long, though, and they soon warmed up to their new sisters and brothers and mothers and uncles.
My younger brother, Evan, and a little boy who lived at El Sauzal are the subjects of the second photograph titled Symbiosis. I had convinced my mom to let Evan visit the orphanage with my service group for the weekend. He was having trouble in school and at home, and it was beautiful to see his edges soften and perspective change after spending time with children who had so little and were yet so gracious. This was the first of many trips to El Sauzal for Evan.
The third photograph, Generations, was taken at a quincinera for one of the girls living at El Sauzal. The woman on the left is a house mother, and the woman on the right was raised in and now works at the orphanage while training to become a teacher. Both are strong, compassionate women who have the capacity to find humor in every situation.
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