The London Photo Show (Comunidad)
COMUNIDAD
In the heart of the Montes de María, in the village of Mango, resilience takes many forms. In this image, the humble kitchen, a sanctuary of daily life, holds the strength and quiet dignity of those who inhabit it. On the left, Shirleny stands, a hen in her hands, embodying the nourishment she brings to her people as a cook for Asocoman**. Her gaze reaches beyond the walls, perhaps to the fields and hills that both shelter and challenge her village, which has borne the scars of Colombia’s internal conflict.
Silvino sits center stage, holding a bundle of freshly harvested bananas, his hands accustomed to the earth and the sun. He is the guardian of numbers, the one who tends to the association’s accounts, yet his heart lies with the basil he cultivates—a delicate yet sturdy crop that, like him, endures the demanding soil of this dry tropical forest. His pride as a peasant is evident, radiating the quiet power of a life spent close to the land.
To the right, Luz Mary stands at the table, her hands at work. With two daughters to care for, she pours her strength into the earth, growing plants that sustain both her family and her village. As a member of the association’s environmental committee, she protects the land that has given her everything, fighting to preserve the fragile beauty of the forest around her.
Their efforts are now supported by a faraway bar in Cartagena -Alquimico- which has lent its resources to bring water to these dry lands, supporting an irrigation system that promises new life. It is a lifeline in this dry landscape, where each drop of water is a gift, and each harvest a testament to the indomitable spirit of Mango’s people.
**Asocoman is an association formed by the resilient members of La Comunidad del Mango in Los Montes de María. This community came together to overcome numerous challenges, including the persistent drought affecting their forest. Through mutual support and cooperation, they’ve created pathways to bring their local products to market, supplying restaurants, bars, and various commercial enterprises.
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