The following images were created in Jacmel, located along the southern coastline of Haiti, a 4 hour drive from Port Au Prince. All of the photographs presented here offer up just one small slice of the vast - rich fabric which is the Haitian community which should'nt be defined by mountains of rubble nor statistics nor the tragedy that has befallen it's people, their family and friends and their homes...
One series of photographs were created by embedding myself within the surroundings of my subjects to better understand the issues they must contend with and the strife they continue to suffer. On the other hand, the second series, "The Pink Door", takes a solid departure from traditional photography from a relief zone, to visually demonstrate...even for just one moment...the dignity within each of the survivors. No images of fallen victims or of destroyed buildings, just people...simple people like you or I...with real dreams and worries for their future and that of their loved ones.
While not everyone survived this immense tragedy, those that have are trying to sort out their lives by asking questions on which way to turn, how to move forward, where to find work and what to do with themselves as they deal with the enormous pain for having lost loved ones underneath the debris. Still, more pressing questions remain each day. Where will I sleep tonight. Where can I find something to eat. Is my family safe tonight while they sleep and how do I take care of my babies when I have nothing left to give...
As the tragedy in Haiti left the news cycle to be replaced by the Grammy's on one end to the next major catastrophe in Chile, on the other...it's fitting for mature photographers to play their role in a responsible, ethical and moral capacity with the goal being to keep global issues that surround Haiti's people, in front of those seeking ways to equally play their role - in assisting a nation in getting back on it's feet.
This significant body of work is unlike any currently in the media surrounding the Haitian disaster and was made possible by The Paradigm Project and their friends within Suisse based Medair. Without their trust and financial support, these images and the lives it portrays would have never come to life. This work isnt for broadcast. It has been prepared for the sole use of The Paradigm Project and it's associates.
Thank you.
Rodney Rascona
