Since this trip was all about supporting Esperanca’s medical mission…our interest for this mission was finding patients specifically for plastic surgery…such as burns, cleft lips and palates. (Other missions would be specific to orthopedics, gynecology, ophthalmology, general surgery, etc.) Word is spread by putting up notices and informing community leaders of the upcoming mission. For the remote villages, posters are placed in village clinics giving information on where to report and when. The people living in the surrounding communities of Jinotega usually had the means to travel to the local hospital, unlike the people in the remote villages…resulting in our travels along the Rio Coco to find and pick up anyone that needed surgery and was willing to make the trip.
The villages we visited are inhabited mainly by the Miskito and Mayangna tribes. There’s so much history about the Miskito Indians of Nicaragua, but to summarize (which is rather difficult)…during the early 1980’s, thousands of Miskitos living on the Nicaraguan side of the river were forced from their homes by the Sandinista government troops. Homes were burned, animals killed and many Miskitos were murdered as the government feared their potential support for government opposition (Contras). This provoked a widespread revolt by the Miskitos and fighting continued off and on for many years. This ended around 1992 after a few years of negotiation. The Miskitos reached accommodation with the government and today this area is a semi-autonomous region respected by both sides.
Like many cultures, “family” is highly valued and often includes relatives besides their immediate family members. What I specifically saw in these villages were very young girls with an eagerness to form relationships to begin building a large family…usually six to eight children and many with ten or more. Large families are important as there’s lots of work to be done in the fields, as well as house chores. Children go to school either in the mornings or in the afternoons, allowing time to assist with daily chores. As one would expect, graduation rates are low and illiteracy is high. They live off the land by planting rice, beans and corn. Some families may be fortunate enough to own a pig, or a cow or a couple of chickens. For recreation, baseball and soccer are extremely popular, but having limited equipment make these pleasures difficult. Depending on the size of the village, there’s small family run stores to sell various items from canned goods to clothing. Like many developing countries, animals roam free and trash is thrown everywhere.
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Warning…I’ve included a couple of graphic images of slaughtering a pig…
so if this isn’t something you can handle…
you’ll want to move quickly through those images….
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To give you an idea of the conditions of the village clinics…
the pharmacy…
How would you like to birth your baby here?
And yes…that’s blood…
There are various daily chores….
washing and drying clothes…
drying rice…
working in the fields…
watching over the new additions to the family…
gathering water for cooking and bathing…
Warning! Pig slaughtering coming up!!
A morning activity we were fortunate to see up close and personal…
truly a farm-to-table experience…
There are two images to finish up this posting…going to school and working a small store. If you are a photographer, you will so understand that exact moment when you see the most perfect image…and your heart starts beating faster…and you just know the lighting is perfect and the excitement is beyond words. Well that’s exactly what I experienced with these two…both were taken in the most remote village we visited…Siksayati, along the Rio Coco in Nicaragua.
I tend to think of the act of photographing, generally speaking, as an adventure.
My favorite thing is to go where I’ve never been.
Diane Arbus
Wow! I can’t even find the words to describe how powerful your photos are in bringing to light what everyday life is truly like for the people you were there to help. It’s just amazing to see how hard they have to work just to get by another day. If anyone seeing these photos can’t find reason to be grateful and thankful for what they have, they need to go spend some time in the villages along the Rio Coco too. Thank you so much for sharing what you learned there. XoXo
Wow! Thanks VK! So appreciate your kindness and glad you enjoyed the posting. I so agree with you…I can personally attest…it would take only one day! Ha! xoxo
Another amazing post. You have such a way of capturing the true essence of the village and the people. And I know what you mean about the last two photos…. and they are perfect…but then again, most all of your photos are! I admire you so for giving your time for what can be a life changing situation for the people. and love the quote!
Thanks Cathy…so much! Diane Arbus’ photography is amazing…and you must also check out her daughter’s work as well…Amy Arbus. So appreciate your visits!
You have taken me back, back, back into a very past life, Robin, almost 50 years ago, when I lived and worked in the back areas of Peru. I have seen these villages and know whereof you speak. But I didn’t have a camera back then, capturing the essence of my experiences, so this from you is pure gift to me. THANK YOU. Everything Diane Arbus says in her quote is perfect for YOU and what you give to us.
I’m so happy these images brings back memories for you! I can only imagine what you experienced in Peru…one of my favorite countries. The people are so beautiful there.. Thanks always for your support!
The pictures show their own story. And yes we should be thankful that we have what we have. These people have such a different life. Now I like to mention something and I hope I don’t get lost in translation. My guess is that these people are happy too with their life, they don’t know anything else. Maybe none of these people ever left the place where they were born and grew up. Don’t put these people in the middle of Manhattan, they would think Manhattan is the ‘jungle’. Our ‘problem’ is that we compare, we put ourselves in THEIR situation, put them in our situation and they might run home screaming too. Don’t get me wrong, I think there should be a better healthcare there, a better sanitation, a better hospital, name everything we need, THEY need too……
Thank you for all these fabulous pictures showing LIFE as it is for many people.
Love and hugs.
PS. that pig was not too bad… they don’t waste anything 🙂
Yes, the pig photos weren’t bad at all, but everyone is different. I grew up with my parents doing this on the farm…so it wasn’t new to me at all. Actually it brought back fun memories! But I must say…I absolutely HATED feeding the pigs after our dinner!
I so agree with you…these people have such a different life from us…and yes, I found “happiness” everywhere! I have found this frequently in developing countries…they don’t know any different and they make their life happy with very few possessions…unlike us. But what I do have a problem with is what you explained…the unsanitary conditions they live in. I’ve seen it change first hand in Cambodia…where NGO’s have worked with the villages and given them incentives to clean up their village making for more sanitary conditions…thus reduced health issues. So that is what I would like to see…educating them enough that with a few simple changes would impact all the lives in the villages…especially the babies.
Always appreciate and look forward to your insights! xoxoxo
You are simply amazing.
These photos tell the most fluid stories……THANK you for sharing
the view from your camera and travels.
I feel like there is something so deeply honest about your images
and the heart they flow from, that there is honor coming to your work
in ways you won’t have to struggle or strive for. Just some discovering
that will happen as you continue along your unassuming way.
I’m so grateful to get to witness what you share.
Thank you,
Jennifer
Wow…Jennifer…this just went directly to my heart! THANK YOU!
Yet another glimpse into a world so very far away from mine in many ways, beautifully recorded the last two are cracking portraits.
Thanks so much shooter! So far from mine too!
I’ve read this post several times, and each time, I see and feel something more. Your presentation of this story, part yours and part theirs, is honest and caring. What comes through most is your respect for the culture and people . . . and your devotion to telling their story.
I do know the feeling you describe – when the picture is right in front of you – ready to be made. The last two portraits are like invitations to know someone – in a way that connects.
I once read that if we were to throw all of our struggles and problems into a huge collective pile, we’d be fighting to get our own back. Only to say, your post puts the struggles I face into perspective. Thank you, Robin for sharing these pieces of your heart.
Thanks so much Donna! I’m glad you reminded me…I remember my parents telling me the same thing…it puts it all in perspective!
I have come to the photos somewhat cautiously but your descriptions and the beauty of the people continues to tell this story in a very respectful and special way Robin, which is part of your gift and your very dedicated hard work. Wow x
So appreciate you Catherine! Thank so much for following along and your wonderful comments!
Once again, coming in late I cannot articulate my feelings on your incredible photographs and post than everyone, cumulatively.
I’ve often wondered why (besides not having birth control), the families have so many children. You’ve helped me understand the reason.
I agree with you regarding the sanitary conditions and educating the people. So sad and frightening.
The pig pics were good – It’s food and not hunting for sport. That is what I don’t agree with and find hard to see. Big, jerk hunters sitting in trees like cowards and hunting poor innocent deer, saying that it’s food for them, when they run down to the store and by their case of beer, cigarettes and pork rinds and can damn well buy hamburgers.
Last two photographs – PRICELESS!
You are da bomb, Robin Craig.
Thank you so much, I am grateful for you and for sharing your life and the world we live in, through your eyes, heart and soul.
Love you.
xoxoxo
da bomb…that just totally cracked me up! You are too much and I so enjoy you! xoxo
You always manage to surpass yourself – absolutely amazing pictures!
Thanks Katrin! I know how busy you are, so I’m always thrilled when you visit!
Humbling pictures! I admire how you manage to capture the daily life of a society so very different from ours . Your respect and love for people is so evident. The little baby is so cute and I love how close and loving families are in the so called Third World. i assumed for a long time that our way of living and our sociwty is so much better – after having travelled so much I am doubtful. Everyone should have access to healthcare (!!!) , fresh and clean water and education, what a world if we can’t achieve that?
Another amazing set of images. I feel as though I was there. Wonderful.