Portraits for Progress | NY hearts Haiti
House Parties to Benefit Olive Tree Projects
"I met an incredible woman, a midwife, working in the community just outside of Jacmel, Haiti. It is a privilege for me to help her do the work and support the clinic that makes such a difference for women in the community. I invite you to support too by hosting or attending a House Party to benefit OTP!"
"Mwen te rankontre yon fanm vanyan, yon fanmsaj, k ap travay nan kominoté a jis deyò Jacmel, Ayiti. Se yon privilèj pou mwen ede li ak travay l ap fe pou fanm yo nan klinik li. Mwen envite nou sipòte travay li pa ale nan oswa bay yon Fèt Lakay pou profite OTP!"
In January 2012, I was traveling throughout Haiti partnering with artists and grassroots organizations, and, documenting the work they do through portraiture. I was also traveling for a personal project where I was taking family portraits and then printing them out for the families to keep. This was a new kind of trip for me, a more comfortable collaboration between me, the photographer, and the subjects, to take a portrait that was for both of us.
It
was also the first time I was in a place where I did not speak the
language. This, compounded with distrust for photographers resulting
from media coverage of the earthquake in 2010, made it a bit of a slow
process to find people who wanted me to take their portraits.
And then
I met Sarah Wallace of The Olive Tree Projects in Jacmel. Sarah has
lived in Haiti for several years before founding OTP in 2008 with the
goal to offer care for the health and well-being of mothers and children
in her community. The primary projects are a birthing/maternity center and a
nutrition program, but it is really so much more. When I first came to Sarah's home, I felt right away the safety that she and the other midwives offer.
During my time there, I learned how integral she is in the community and
for the country, especially when I heard stories from the earthquake.
Sarah
offered to introduce me to families who have come to OTP for care.
Because of this introduction, they were able to extend the trust they
have for her to me, and once those doors opened, people were so
enthusiastic about the portrait sessions and the prints they would have
from them. I spent over a week working with several families mostly in a
camp called Bwa Vital. This camp was tents for a long time, but now is
rows of houses and gardens.
It was a
short time that I was there, really, but felt a sweet bond to the
families right away. Working without a language was a unique experience
each time, but always a pleasant one. There was trust and honesty and it
felt like they were giving me a chance to photograph them well.
Bringing the prints back was the most important part of the whole
process for me. I got to see their reactions to photos, which was always
a lot of fun! But, I also hope and believe that it meant something to
really see that these portraits were taken with respect and were for
them, just as much as they are for me.
When
I brought the prints back, friends and neighbors saw them and also
wanted photo sessions, but it was time for me to leave. I was realizing
that this must happen quite a bit, someone passes through, connects with
them and then leaves, and this made me realize even more, how important
Sarah and Olive Tree Projects is to the community.
I
decided to figure out a way to go back and am planning to return in
January 2013. Between now and then, I am learning Kreyol Ayisyen
(Haitian Creole) and looking for ways to share my
stories. Connecting with the people and families who I have photographed
here in NY, we are putting together small fundraisers and gatherings
where I talk a little about my time in Haiti, show some of the beautiful
faces of the people I met, and give some more information about the
amazing work that OTP does and how we can help.
The
idea for the fundraiser is that people sponsor a portrait session for
OTP clients in Haiti--but the sessions are donated and so all of the
proceeds go to the clinic. For the clinic this money can help in many
ways. For me, it is about the portraits, the support for them and the
positive depictions of the people in them. It is also about returning to
visit the families I met in January. I am offering a free mini session
following the fundraisers to anyone who makes a donation, large or
small.
These mini sessions are a thank you, as well as a way for me to know that you have the experience of what you are giving by sponsoring a shoot for a family in Haiti.
These mini sessions are a thank you, as well as a way for me to know that you have the experience of what you are giving by sponsoring a shoot for a family in Haiti.
Please share this message and contact me if you are interested in having me come to your next gathering of family and friends.
Thank you,
Alexandra Corazza
alex@aecphotography.com
646-596-6747
