Dreams and Hopes from the South. Migration.

This project constitutes the first formal incursion of Melel Xojobal into the subject of migration from a human rights perspective. In the twelve years that we have been working with the indigenous children and youth of Chiapas we have witnessed the economic benefits that indigenous families derive from migration. Nevertheless, we have also witnessed the violence and exploitation that women, men, girls and boys are subjected to during the migrating process. Furthermore, in the last four years we have noticed an alarming rise in the number of girls, boys and youths who undertake the journey on their own, as a group, or accompanied by adults who are strangers to them. We have also witnessed the growing number of those youngsters left behind in their places of origin awaiting the return of relatives who decided to undertake the journey to the United States.

This book, produced in collaboration with the talented photographer Luis E. Aguilar, is an effort to show a more human focus on the challenges and risks that appear along the path that families take when they decide to migrate in pursuit of the dream of a better life. Because for us, the indigenous, the poor, the downtrodden, hope is no longer here. It is in a different place.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Melel Xojobal
• migración
• infancia
• derechos
• fronteras.