Doña Luz / Book Written & Shot by Varial for The Barefoot College

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https://www.blurb.es/b/10449374-do-a-luz-english

A World Without Light

1.2 billion people on this planet live without electricity. In Latin America alone, the number reaches 24 million people. What is it like to live without electricity or light today? What is it like to live under the feeble flicker of a candle, an oil lamp or a burning ocote branch? How can solar electricity change their way of life?

Commissioned by Barefoot College

Barefoot College sent Varial to document the life of 15 indigenous women from 5 countries in Latin America during this process: preparing to leave for this incredible journey, a 6-month training period in India, returning to their communities and electrifying more than 100 homes. A majority of them are indigenous communities and several have survived persecution and genocide, with the majority of survivors currently living an impoverished existence. He returned to create a 300-page photo essay, revealing these unforgettable stories and indelible images.

Doña Luz — Solar Mamas Stories from Latin America tells the story not only of forgotten people, survivors of genocide, victims of oil exploitation, marginalized communities, but also of ambassadors of faith and courage.

A New Kind of Light

I wish to bring a new kind of light with stories of hope that reminds us just how endless human potential can be. I hope to enlighten all humans to reconnect with the most reclusive people on this planet. I believe we must learn from the wisdom of tribal people, for their voices will help us visualize their world and understand how we can envision life. Our sense of sight may help us.

Three Months, Eight Communities, Fifteen Women

"For three months, I travelled to eight different communities in Guatemala, Belize, Salvador, Ecuador and Mexico, collecting images and stories of fifteen illiterate and impoverished indigenous mothers and grandmothers. These women, who had never before travelled beyond their remote communities, left their husbands, children and their entire existence, to embark on an incredible journey to bring light to their communities — and a new life.

I created this book as an intimate diary to link you with unique examples of empowerment, dignity and courage. I have gathered hundreds of moments frozen in time, transcriptions and personal entries to bring the reader and the viewer into this remote world — one we never imagined still existed.

Ambassadors of Faith and Courage

Doña Luz: Solar Mama Stories chronicles the story not only of forgotten people, survivors of genocide, victims of ongoing prejudice, oil exploitation, land confiscation, and marginalized communities, but also of ambassadors of faith and courage.

From taking a plane for the first time, to hearing new languages, learning English, living in India for six months, training as solar engineers, returning to electrify their entire villages, becoming role models and local heroes, starting businesses inspired by their journeys, and finding respect at home and within their communities — led mostly by men — these women have overcome unimaginable challenges to electrify their communities.

Documentary Photography as Witness

My approach uses documentary photography and faithful transcription of true stories from these remote and forgotten communities, as well as my personal observations, and seeks to understand, question and reveal unknown realities of the world we live in."